Moments from Commencement

Doctoral Ceremony

Carrying the ‘guiding light of our Meliora ideals’

The University of Rochester celebrated the conferral of doctoral degrees to 281 graduates during commencement ceremonies on May 21 in Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre located in downtown Rochester. As the masked graduates sat socially distanced and some joined remotely, they were celebrated for engaging in the highest level of academic exploration and scholarship.

“Whether you explore the deepest mysteries of the brain and human behavior, study metaphysics or political systems, or build systems that run our technologies, or work to improve our educational practice while working to make our world more equal and just,” President Sarah Mangelsdorf told the graduates, “you will carry your unique life experience, the enduring wisdom of this University, and the guiding light of our Meliora ideals.”

She lauded the graduates for persevering during the pandemic and urged them to let a unique commencement day serve as a useful reminder of how adaptable and creative they can be.

“When circumstances challenged your ability to complete research, you demonstrated remarkable patience and resilience, dug deep, and found inner resources you probably didn’t know you had.”