Commencement Content

Celebrated Faculty To Speak at Undergraduate Commencements

Julia Ann Easley — June 02, 2026 - 1:00pm

The faculty members selected to speak at the baccalaureate commencements this June have made important contributions to undergraduate teaching and learning over a total of about 120 years on campus. Collectively, their recognitions include everything from on-campus honors to a U.S. presidential award.

In chronological order of the ceremonies, the speakers are:

Top 51�ԹϺ�� Davis Graduate Journeys Through Clubs, Neurodivergence, Identity

Julia Ann Easley — June 02, 2026 - 7:04am

Jason Pieck dashes from engineering classes to club meetings to music rehearsals and performances at the University of California, Davis.

“My favorite days are when I’m all over campus,” says the student from Los Alamos, New Mexico.

Pieck’s investment in both their engineering studies and the campus community stands out. They will be honored as the university’s top graduating senior when thousands celebrate earning a bachelor’s degree at five commencement ceremonies at Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center June 12-14.

Appellate Justice, Doctor Who Educates With Social Media To Speak at First 51�ԹϺ�� Davis Commencements

Julia Ann Easley — May 05, 2026 - 1:02pm

An appellate justice and a doctor who uses social media to empower medical learners will be the first guest speakers for the 2026 graduation season at 51�ԹϺ�� Davis.

51�ԹϺ�� Davis Degree To Be First for Family, Birthday Gift

Julia Ann Easley — December 09, 2025 - 10:47am

Editor’s note: Tickets are required for admission to commencement; to cover the ceremony, email jaeasley@ucdavis.edu or text 530-219-4545.

Trading smiles, Melissa Segura and her mother, Monica Segura, playfully warn each other not to start crying — either will set the other off.

51�ԹϺ�� Davis Student Graduates After More Than 47 Years

Julia Ann Easley — June 10, 2025 - 10:23am

Editor’s note: Commencements require tickets for admission. For a media credential, contact Julia Ann Easley in advance at jaeasley@ucdavis.edu.

Deborah Thompson Austin of 51�ԹϺ�� Davis’ alumni association will instruct hundreds of undergraduates to move the tassel on their graduation cap from left to right at Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center Saturday morning.

Student Speakers at 51�ԹϺ�� Davis Commencements To Reflect on Journeys, Look Forward

Julia Ann Easley — June 09, 2025 - 5:18pm

Editor’s note: Commencements require tickets for admission. To attend, contact Julia Ann Easley in advance at jaeasley@ucdavis.edu.

Shanlea “Sen” Tabofunda of Cupertino, California, set a goal for their first year at the University of California, Davis: learning to ride a bike without using their hands.

Top 51�ԹϺ�� Davis Graduate Aims To Transform Experience of Aging

Julia Ann Easley — June 03, 2025 - 4:46pm

Only on annual visits to India was Avantika Gokulnatha able to help care for her now late grandfather as his health failed. But the San Jose resident endeavored to help others near her.

Gokulnatha did just that as she studied biological sciences and researched aging at the University of California, Davis. She volunteered with a local hospice, revived a student organization to help seniors with technology, and led other undergraduate volunteers at a clinic providing free medical care to uninsured and marginalized people.

Faculty Speakers Named for Undergraduate Commencements

Julia Ann Easley — May 27, 2025 - 12:20pm

The faculty members selected to speak to thousands of graduating students and guests at the five undergraduate commencements at Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center in June exemplify the best in teaching.

Together, they are contributing to excellence in the field and have won awards for teaching from their academic departments, their colleges, the Academic Senate, 51�ԹϺ�� Davis as a whole and beyond.

The speakers, listed in the chronological order of the ceremonies, are:

California Supreme Court Justice First Guest Speaker at 51�ԹϺ�� Davis Spring Commencements

Julia Ann Easley — May 13, 2025 - 10:31am

California Supreme Court Associate Justice Kelli M. Evans will be the first guest speaker at the commencements of the University of California, Davis, as its School of Law leads off the spring graduation season Friday.

Other guest speakers named to date are Diana E. Ramos, California’s surgeon general, at the School of Medicine commencement Saturday; and Sundeep Dugar, a leader in the pharmaceutical industry, at the two Graduate Studies ceremonies June 12.

This Time, Graduation To Be Real for 51�ԹϺ�� Davis Student

Julia Ann Easley — December 09, 2024 - 2:35pm

Emmanuel “Manny” Garcia Pereida of Oakland wore a 51�ԹϺ�� Davis cap and gown with a stole identifying him as a first-generation college graduate. His name sounded over the arena’s speakers. He crossed the stage and shook hands with the chancellor. His family cheered.

Commencement Content

Celebrated Faculty To Speak at Undergraduate Commencements

Top 51�ԹϺ��� Davis Graduate Journeys Through Clubs, Neurodivergence, Identity

Appellate Justice, Doctor Who Educates With Social Media To Speak at First 51�ԹϺ��� Davis Commencements

51�ԹϺ��� Davis Degree To Be First for Family, Birthday Gift

51�ԹϺ��� Davis Student Graduates After More Than 47 Years

Student Speakers at 51�ԹϺ��� Davis Commencements To Reflect on Journeys, Look Forward

Top 51�ԹϺ��� Davis Graduate Aims To Transform Experience of Aging