Photo: Brittany Hosea-Small
Last spring, we asked L&S alums to share their favorite spring and graduation memories as UC Berkeley students - and the response was overwhelming! Thank you to everyone who responded. Here are just a few memorable moments from L&S alums.
Blockeley, UC Berkeley's online Minecraft commencement in 2020 (UC Berkeley video)
Many students shared memories about how UC Berkeley navigated commencement ceremonies impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In spring 2020, when a group of Cal students built a virtual UC Berkeley, called Blockeley University. Hundreds of students attended a virtual commencement since in-person festivities were canceled in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The student-led ceremonies featured former Chancellor Carol Christ and even musical performances.
My favorite memory was our Blockeley graduation party! Watching everyone celebrate together on Minecraft was absolutely incredible.
- Alexis '21 Geography & Political Science
"My favorite memory is getting to walk a year later and seeing everyone like it was a one-year college reunion! Epic!"
- Michelle '20, Integrative Biology
"My favorite graduation memory was getting to walk the stage during the midst of the pandemic with all of my friends and family watching virtually."
- Andrew '21, Integrative Biology
"I graduated in 2021 when the pandemic was still in full swing. Instead of the normal commencement, we all picked a time slot to walk across the stage of an empty Greek Theatre! My friends and I all picked adjacent time slots and, despite the difficult circumstances, had a wonderful and unique end to our Berkeley experience."
- Connor '21, Integrative Biology
Many alums recalled the impact of seeing business leaders, activists, artists and other influential figures speak at commencement.
My favorite memory from graduation would be sitting with my peers in the stadium, listening to Sheryl Sandberg address the graduating class, and looking up at the bleachers and seeing my family's proud faces -- and thinking to myself, "I made it as the graduate of one of the top universities in the world." #GoBears
- Talisha '16, Legal Studies
"I loved the film graduation speeches. They were so heartwarming and community-oriented."
- Allie '22, Film and Anthropology
"My favorite memory is seeing Steve Wozniak speak at the commencement!"
- Ethan '23, Economics
"Watching my classmate speak at commencement!"
- Angeline '23, Cognitive Science
My favorite memory is walking to Memorial Stadium with my friends for commencement!
- Brandon '18, Integrative Biology
"My favorite memory for graduation was walking out of the stadium with my two best friends I met on my first day of orientation. It was pouring rain, but we laughed and danced in the puddles because we made it to the finish line together."
- Caitlynn '19, Political Science
"I was *the* last to line up for my major graduation. I had bright green hair at the time, and it was a warm day. I got especially loud cheers when I walked because everyone knew that my hair meant I was last and we could all leave to our celebrations soon!"
- Avery '14, English
"My favorite memory is taking graduation pictures on campus with my orange cat, Pixie!"
- Kimberly '18, Political Economy
"My family came from overseas and we had so much fun celebrating my graduation. They were very proud of me! We took pictures in (almost) every corner of the school."
- Julie '16, Media Studies
"My favorite graduation memory is decorating graduation caps with my friends and cheering for them during the ceremony."
- Pei '17, Public Health
UC Berkeley's beautiful and distinctive campus came into play for many special memories.
"My favorite memory is taking graduation pictures with my friends because we were able to walk through the University’s beautiful scenery."
- Kunal '22, Computer Science
"My favorite memory is going up to the campanile after my last class of undergrad and seeing the clear view of the bridge."
- Joan '16, Political Economy
"Walking past the Campanile and Memorial Glade with my mom and my diploma."
-Catrina '09, ISF
"I enjoyed taking grad photos outside Doe Library. My friend group brought items that represented some part of our times at UC Berkeley. I brought my copy of "Little Dorrit," the book that I wrote 3 (!) theses on while I was in college, including my English honors thesis."
- Amanda '17, English
"My favorite memory was rolling down 4.0 hill before our very last finals!"
- Jordan '18, PE
