Celebrating the Class of 2024
May 6, 2024, 4:20 p.m.
Dear Students and Colleagues,
This Friday, May 10, we will celebrate the Class of 2024 with the University of Arizona’s 160th Commencement. I look forward to this night every year, as we come together to send our graduates on to the next steps in their lives and careers.
We have been through a lot as a community over the past four years, and I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to this graduating class, as well as all of our students, faculty, and staff. Thank you for your resilience and your commitment to our shared values, to your aspirations and to each other.
Commencement: A Celebration of our Values and our Community
As I have shared with you all, I know the University of Arizona will continue its trajectory of success in the decades to come. This community has had its share of disagreements, but I know they have stemmed from passionate engagement with matters of importance for our University and for our world. I value this engagement because I see it as an expression of our land-grant mission of learning, discovery, and impact.
I sincerely believe that our resilience as a community of learning lies in our ability to navigate uncertainties and our capacity to seek understanding amidst differences. While our perspectives and opinions may differ, we have a responsibility to approach each other’s viewpoints with curiosity, compassion, and a spirit of inclusion, as expressed in the core values of our University.
Our students’ learning experience and their preparation for the challenges of today and of the future depend upon these values. And the achievements of our graduating class reflect our collective commitment to these values. As we gather at Arizona Stadium to celebrate their accomplishments, we all can take pride in knowing that our newly minted alumni will carry the Bear Down spirit into the world.
I encourage you to join us at Commencement or any of the convocations held this week to share in this special moment.
Resources and Support
If you would like more information on the celebrations, including safety guidelines, please visit the Commencement website, or refer to further details below.
As we near the end of the semester – a time that can be demanding for many – I want to remind everyone to take care and reach out for support if needed. If you are feeling stressed or need to talk to someone, lean on a friend or use the resources available to you as a member of our community. Information on those resources also is below.
Thank you for reading, and, to the Class of 2024, get ready for a great night! Congratulations, and Bear Down!
Sincerely,
Robert C. Robbins, M.D.
President
The University of Arizona
Guidance for Commencement
University Ceremonies has provided information for Commencement guests, and collected information on convocations.
If you attend Commencement, venue policies will be in effect for Arizona Stadium, including the clear bag policy.
Caring for Yourself and Others
Students
The end of the semester can be stressful, and taking care of yourself can help you stay focused and help you reach your goals. Good quality sleep, healthy meals, and exercise can all make a positive difference. Visit Campus Health’s Counseling & Psych services self-care page for more tips.
If you need to talk to someone, or know someone who needs help, please contact Campus Health’s Counseling & Psych Services.
Employees
Faculty and staff also need self care, and Life & Work Connections has many resources available to help you. Visit the LWC website for tools, articles, and local resources available to you.
Additionally, all benefits-eligible employees and their dependents and members of their households can contact Employee Assistance Counseling for information about free and confidential one-on-one counseling.
This email was sent to: all students, faculty, staff, and DCCs.