More than 2,000 of the approximately 3,100 University of Louisville students who applied for degrees and certificates have indicated they will participate in commencement ceremonies. The ceremonies will be held on Saturday, May 11, at the KFC Yum! Center with two separate sessions at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
This Commencement holds particular significance for the high school class of 2020, which graduated at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. For some, it will be their first chance to celebrate their educational achievement by taking part in a complete traditional ceremony.
Ethan Rutter, a graduating senior with majors in political science and history, had a five-minute diploma ceremony at Bowling Green High School. Now, he’s fully embracing all the graduation festivities.
“This graduation means a lot to our class,” said Rutter. “It’s a culmination of not just college but everything that led us here.”
Paighton Brooks, salutatorian of her Northern Kentucky high school, spoke to an empty auditorium in 2020. Excelling as a Porter and McConnell scholar, she pursued a double major in political science and criminal justice at UofL. She’s ready to celebrate this time with her friends and family.
“It’s really exciting getting to have that in-person experience,” Brooks said. “Especially getting to graduate with my friends, walking the stage with them and seeing them get to that milestone as well, because that is something I missed in high school.”
Student speaker Gilberto Maldonado, graduating with a Doctor of Social Work from the Raymond A. Kent School of Social Work and Family Science, will address the morning ceremony, while Sophie Broadwater, graduating with a bachelor’s degree from the School of Music, will speak at the afternoon ceremony.
This is the third graduation ceremony presided over by UofL President Kim Schatzel. The UofL Graduate School also will host a doctoral hooding and graduation ceremony for more than 100 graduates at 2 p.m. Friday, May 10, on Belknap Campus in the Swain Student Activities Center (SAC) Ballroom, second floor. All of these ceremonies will be broadcast live at uofl.edu/livestream.
In addition, UofL’s U.S. Air Force ROTC Detachment 295 will hold a commissioning ceremony on Friday, May 10, at 11 a.m. in Floyd Theater in the SAC. Four cadets will be commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Air Force. Earlier in the day, UofL’s U.S. Army ROTC cadre, Cardinal Battalion, will hold its commissioning at 9 a.m. in the SAC Ballroom. Thirteen cadets will be commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army.
Follow #UofLGrads2024 on social media for updates.
