Thank you for a great academic year and Commencement

Dear colleagues,

Friday night’s Commencement ceremony exceeded my expectations, and it was exhilarating to send off 9,000 graduates as a force for good into the world, with over 45,000 cheering on in Arizona Stadium.  

There were many highlights from the evening, including the conferral of degrees and the opportunity to be with our graduates as they celebrated their achievement. I also have heard from many attendees who were inspired by the message from our Commencement Speaker, Erik Weihenmayer. The recording of his speech is available at the University’s Commencement site along with remarks from all our speakers.

My sincere thanks to everyone who contributed. From our tireless event planners to volunteers who pitched in from every corner of campus, the success of this keystone event depends on the contributions of many. We are grateful for the diligent team effort that went into creating such a glorious celebration for our graduates, their families and supporters, and our entire U of A community. This highlights video shares some of what made the night so special.

As the summer begins, I also want to thank you for your efforts this academic year. The U of A has a bright future because of you, and your contributions are deeply appreciated. We will continue to push forward with the implementation of our strategic imperatives with Provost Prelock’s leadership, and I encourage you to remain engaged with that process over the summer and into the fall semester.  

Best wishes,
Suresh