Golden State Today

Berkeley graduates marked their distinct journeys with a variety of celebrations, including blankets, blessings, pins, music, and even children in regalia. The familiar large-scale ceremonies at California Memorial Stadium and departmental graduations at venues such as the Greek Theatre and Zellerbach Hall were complemented by more intimate gatherings organized by various student communities.

These alternative events have been a tradition for years and are designed to offer a "more intimate and personalized experience" for graduating students, according to Ashley Villanueva, director of communications for the Division of Equity and Inclusion. They cater to the "intersectional cultural, social and academic identities" of diverse groups including student parents, student veterans, undocumented students, formerly incarcerated students, and Native American students.

The organizers and sponsors of these community events vary widely. Despite this diversity in organization and celebration methods, all these events share common themes: shared experiences, triumphs, and a profound sense of community.