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There was dancing and cheering and singing. Check out photos from UM’s graduation

Jimena Tavel, Jose Iglesias
·1 min read

This spring, the University of Miami picked a neuroscientist, a political analyst, a lawyer, a journalist, a pediatrician and two entrepreneurs as its commencement speakers.

The seven scholars will forever mark the lives of the more than 4,100 new graduates who will move their tassels and collect their degrees this weekend. To learn more about the speakers, click here.

UM is the largest private university in South Florida with about 20,000 students. Graduation ceremonies kicked off Thursday and will run through Saturday.

We attended the first undergraduate ceremony Friday morning. Check out some scenes from it below:

‘It’s like I’m starting a new life. I’m an adult now.’

Savannah Hussey, a graduate, dances her way into the University of Miami’s spring commencement ceremony.
Savannah Hussey, a graduate, dances her way into the University of Miami’s spring commencement ceremony.
Zitong Zhao, right, meets University of Miami President Julio Frenk on stage for a photo after she received her diploma. Zhao, 22, majored in physics and wants to attend the University of Chicago to get a master’s degree in philosophy next. She dreams of becoming a philosophy professor. She wore a traditional Chinese outfit to honor her identity. “I’m very proud of my culture,” she said. “And today is a special day so they’re fancy.”
Auryana Pettigrew, 20, decorated her cap with a dazzling crown to collect her diploma in psychology. The Florida native said after she felt “excited but nervous.” “It’s like I’m starting a new life,” she said, giggling. “I’m an adult now. I’m not playing anymore.”
Auryana Pettigrew, 20, decorated her cap with a dazzling crown to collect her diploma in psychology. The Florida native said after she felt “excited but nervous.” “It’s like I’m starting a new life,” she said, giggling. “I’m an adult now. I’m not playing anymore.”

‘So, so proud.’

Gillian Drexler’s relatives who traveled from Huntington, New York, greet her with giant photos of her as she enters her commencement ceremony at the Watsco Center. Kim Rhatigan, her mom, said Drexler, 22, maintained her grades and graduated magna cum laude, despite the COVID-19 disruption from her freshman year, which sent her rushing home. “I’m very proud, and I’m very excited because she put a lot of hard work and dedication to get to this point. It was challenging,” Rhatigan said.
Gillian Drexler, right, greets her family in the stands as Charleigh Peters, left, leads the way down the aisle as they enter the Watsco Cente for UM’s spring commencement ceremonies Friday morning. Drexler majored in biochemistry and molecular biology and art, and minored in chemistry, and wants to become a dentist next.
Gillian Drexler, right, greets her family in the stands as Charleigh Peters, left, leads the way down the aisle as they enter the Watsco Cente for UM’s spring commencement ceremonies Friday morning. Drexler majored in biochemistry and molecular biology and art, and minored in chemistry, and wants to become a dentist next.
Graduate Iman Sami speaks to her class during UM’s spring commencement ceremonies Friday morning. Sami, an international student from England, mentioned her parents in her speech: “My parents sacrificed an immense amount — from supermarket cashier jobs to taxi driving throughout London in my childhood — to give me the privilege and honor of being able to afford and even have the opportunity to come here to the University of Miami. They also flew 10 hours and survived Miami immigration lines, and managed driving a rental car on the opposite side of the road all to make it here, so thank you very much!”
Dr. Abid Sami cheers for his daughter Iman as she speaks to her class during commencement ceremonies at the Watsco Center in the University of Miami. “Sitting here, it makes you realize it was all worth it,” he said, after confessing it was “hard” to send her daughter across the Atlantic four years ago. “It was a big moment for us,” he said. “But we’re so, so proud.”

President Frenk calls the Class of 2023 ‘unique’

Right to left, Alexander Miller, Charleigh Peters and Gillian Drexler check out their diplomas during the University of Miami’s spring commencement ceremony. The College of Arts & Sciences and the Division of Continuing & International Education graduated during a ceremony Friday morning.
Right to left, Alexander Miller, Charleigh Peters and Gillian Drexler check out their diplomas during the University of Miami’s spring commencement ceremony. The College of Arts & Sciences and the Division of Continuing & International Education graduated during a ceremony Friday morning.
Graduates sing their alma matter, “Stand Forever,” at UM’s spring commencement ceremony Friday morning, the first for the undergraduate students.
Graduates sing their alma matter, “Stand Forever,” at UM’s spring commencement ceremony Friday morning, the first for the undergraduate students.
Graduates leave the floor at the University of Miami’s Watsco Center in Coral Gables after a spring commencement ceremony on Friday morning, May 12, 2023.
Graduates leave the floor at the University of Miami’s Watsco Center in Coral Gables after a spring commencement ceremony on Friday morning, May 12, 2023.