TUCSON, Ariz. — The University of Arizona wrapped up its 162nd commencement Friday night, celebrating nearly 10,000 new graduates from the Class of 2026.
Each University of Arizona graduate had their own journey to commencement and memories that made their time in Tucson one to remember.
“Freshman year being all in the dorms together and just having kind of one big sleepover all the time,” Sophia Luttinger, a U of A graduate, recalled.
George Nicolette, another graduate, also highlighted those he met while a student.
“Definitely the friends I’ve made. They’re some really cool guys and so much fun, more fun with them,” Nicolette told News 4 Tucson.
Nicolette honored one late grandfather with pins on his gown and following in the footsteps of his other late grandfather, a former doctor, as he receives a bachelor’s degree in the pre-medicine track.
“(I) really wanted him to be a doctor, I really did, just for my pop upstairs there looking down, so he can rest up easy there now,” Ross Nicolette, George’s Dad, said.
Read more Largest gold nugget in Western Hemisphere to be auctioned off in the Valley
Each graduate’s story merged together Friday night in the form of a massive celebration filled with hugs and many photos.
There was also some controversy surrounding commencement speaker Eric Schmidt. His message to graduates was not to give up their agency or assume their future is already decided even in the age of artificial intelligence.
The former Google CEO was booed off and on during his remarks, especially when discussing A.I.
Some in the campus community had previously petitioned against Schmidt giving the remarks and receiving an honorary doctorate from the university.
A large firework display at the end of the ceremony marked a new chapter for the students in attendance Friday, but the lasting impact of the University of Arizona on graduates is clear.
“It really helped me expand out of my comfort zone and get out of my shell,” Luttinger said.
Read more Two Americans arrested in Japan after climbing into viral baby monkey Punch’s zoo enclosure
“Home,” Nicolette said. “You know it’s kind of home away from home.”