UC Riverside’s CHASS class of 2023 closed and entered a new chapter in their lives at their commencement ceremony on June 21 held for the first time at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, CA. This year’s commencement celebrated Highlanders from different colleges with 50,000 attendees spanning from friends and family throughout the week at the largest celebration in UCR’s 79-year history. 

CHASS Dean Daryle Williams kicked off the first of three CHASS ceremonies with an introductory speech followed by UCR Chancellor Kim A. Wilcox. Following Wilcox, undergraduate student speaker Giovanna Barajas, who graduated with a bachelor’s of arts degree in political science, delivered her speech to the 8 a.m. group.

In her speech, Barajas spoke about her CHASS experience, her ability to receive DACA through the help of UCR, and the opportunities she had as an undergraduate student. Following Barajas’ speech, both conferrals for master’s and bachelor’s degrees were delivered to the candidates and graduating seniors of CHASS.

The 1 p.m. CHASS group 2 commencement ceremony followed the same procession with a speech delivered by undergraduate student speaker Chloe Antoinette Santos. Santos graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree in theatre, film, and digital production. Like the first ceremony, the second CHASS commencement concluded with a performance of UCR’s alma mater, “All Hail UCR.” 

“Graduating from UCR and being able to have my commencement at the Toyota Arena felt so surreal,” said Jessica Ruiz Vega, a CHASS senior graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in sociology and a minor in media and cultural studies who participated in the group 2 ceremony. 

“Being able to say I am a CHASS graduate means the world to me,” she said. 

During her time at UCR, Vega also managed the CHASS social media accounts in her student role as the Social Media Manager where she became more involved in the community across CHASS and UCR. 

“I feel really thankful about all the opportunities I’ve been able to gain as an undergraduate,” Vega said. “CHASS has given me the foundation to be a successful person in the workforce and a positive addition to the community.” 

Hopeful for the future, Vega looks forward to growing her professional career and has opportunities lined up to interview for roles in communications and marketing. 

The final commencement ceremony took place at 6 p.m. to honor the last CHASS class of 2023. To start the ceremony, Kodi Lee, winner of Season 14 of “America’s Got Talent” and brother of CHASS ‘23 graduate Kayla Lee, took center stage in leading a performance of the national anthem. 

Following words shared by Williams and Wilcox, Maimoona Naveed took to the stage to deliver her speech as the undergraduate student speaker for her commencement group. Naveed graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s of science degree in psychology. In her speech, Naveed praised the UCR community and urged her fellow graduates to persist in their pursuit of social justice, embracing the skills gained at UCR as they enter a new phase of their lives.

Melanie Reynolds, who obtained a bachelor’s degree in music and culture and walked across the stage in the final CHASS commencement ceremony, shared her excitement about the memorable experience of graduating in a new venue.

“Graduating in the Toyota Arena was an amazing experience,” Reynolds said. “It’s definitely bittersweet. I’m going to miss being at UCR, but I’m excited for what’s to come.”