West LA Times

UCLA’s class of 2024 has faced numerous challenges, starting with a pandemic that disrupted their high school graduation ceremonies. On Friday, these resilient students celebrated their achievements at the first of three UCLA College commencement ceremonies held at Pauley Pavilion. The events hosted approximately 6,700 graduating seniors and over 26,000 guests.

Joslin Herberich from Oakland attended to support her son, Charlie Herberich. Reflecting on the past, she said, “Charlie’s graduation from high school was drive-through — at the end, you got out of your car and got your picture taken.” She emphasized the significance of a full graduation for this class, highlighting their perseverance and resilience.

Josephine Ruiz, a Los Angeles native graduating with a major in sociology and minor in digital media, described the experience as “mind-blowing.” She shared her journey: “I come from South-Central, so coming here was like a dream come true... I know that I worked so hard. Anything can happen. And now it’s finally happening.”

The Pauley Pavilion ceremony marked the first proper graduation for many in the class of 2024. This year’s commencement season sees degrees conferred to 10,000 undergraduate students and 15,000 students overall across various units and departments at UCLA.

Among this year’s undergraduates, one in five are the first in their family to earn a degree from a four-year university. A third began their college careers at community colleges, and three-quarters attended public schools before enrolling at UCLA.

Keynote speaker Sean Astin addressed the graduates inside Pauley Pavilion. He remarked on their unique experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic: “You are a storied group... You deserve today; you have earned today.” Astin spoke about his deep connection to UCLA and emphasized values such as togetherness and mutual respect.

Student speaker Lauren Kobashigawa discussed how the pandemic affected their academic journey but highlighted the sense of community they found at UCLA. “We are pioneers, changemakers and innovators,” she said.

Laura de Beer also spoke about overcoming challenges during the pandemic while noting significant achievements by students in sustainability efforts and other areas. She urged her peers to focus on empathy, compassion, and integrity.

Astin concluded his speech with an optimistic note inspired by his character Samwise Gamgee from "Lord of the Rings," stating that even after dark times, light will shine again.

Following the ceremony's conclusion with a rendition of "Hail to the Hills of Westwood," graduates reconnected with their families outside Pauley Pavilion. Shahid Lowcher-Ray reflected on his day: “Before graduation... I just walked in with confidence,” he said. His best memory? “Probably the car ride on the way here... That was my warm-up song.”