June 14, 2022
For the first time in two years, DePaul University graduates celebrated the end of their academic journey with in-person commencement ceremonies. From Baccalaureate Mass to the last of the commencement ceremonies, June 10 -12 was a weekend to recognize the accomplishments of the Class of 2022 and the support system of family, friends and faculty who helped them along the way. Approximately 4,500 Blue Demons participated in the weekend's festivities, while a total of roughly 6,300 students earned their degree this academic year.
Photos by Jeff Carrion and Steve Woltmann, words by Maria Toscano
On June 10, DePaul’s annual Baccalaureate Mass marked the start of DePaul University’s 123rd commencement celebration.
Graduates, faculty and staff attended DePaul’s annual Baccalaureate Mass.
DePaul graduates donned their academic regalia during Baccalaureate Mass ahead of the weekend’s commencement ceremonies.
Fr. Memo Campuzano, C.M., vice president for Mission and Ministry, presided over this year’s Baccalaureate Mass.
Interfaith leaders from the Division of Mission and Ministry, Diane Dardón, Emily Goldberg and Abdul-Malik Ryan, participated in the annual Baccalaureate Mass.
Fr. Memo and A. Gabriel Esteban, president of DePaul, distributed communion during the mass.
A ceremony honoring graduates from The Theatre School and the Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media kicked off Saturday's celerbations at Wintrust Arena.
DePaul faculty and administration processed onto the stage to begin the first of six commencement ceremonies held over the weekend.
Maria Klawe, president of Harvey Mudd College, addressed graduates and attendees during The Theatre School and the Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media commencement ceremony.
Sam Kerns, a 2022 graduate of The Theatre School, delivered the student address at the first of the Saturday ceremonies.
A graduate of CDM’s film school personalized her graduation cap.
A graduate showed off one of the many emotions of relief and accomplishment after accepting her diploma.
Jeanette Fernandez-Rockey accepts a posthumous degree for her brother, Joel Quiachon Fernandez, a student in the Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media.
A graduate waved to his family after receiving his diploma.
In a show of solidarity, a graduate unfurled a Ukrainian flag on stage.
Graduates of TTS and CDM cheer with joy as they are inducted into the alumni association.
A suprise balloon drop marked the end of the commencement ceremony.
Blue Demons celebrated their graduation outside of Wintrust Arena.
A graduate hugged her mother in gratitude for her support throughout her years at DePaul.
Graduates waved at their families moments before the ceremony begins.
Holding the university mace, Marie Donovan, an associate professor in the College of Education, led the procession for the College of Education and College of Communication ceremony.
During her student address, Victoria Hall, a 2022 graduate of the College of Communication, shared some of the lessons she learned throughout her time at DePaul.
Graduates beamed with pride after accepting their diplomas.
Nancy Hashimoto, the director of advising for the College of Education, received her doctorate degree.
Graduates flipped their tassels from right to left to symbolize their transformation from students to alumni.
Graduates eagerly arrived for the School of Music and College of Science and Health ceremony.
Graduates and attendees filled the arena for the School of Music and College of Science and Health ceremony.
Peter Lin, a 2022 graduate of the School of Music, and Joanne Lin, a member of the school's Class of 2025, performed a sibling duet during the commencement ceremony.
George E. Lewis, a musical performer and composer, addressed graduates and attendees of the School of Music and College of Science and Health celebration.
Watfae Zayed, president of Student Government Association and a graduate of the College of Science and Health, delivered the student address at the ceremony.
A. Gabriel Esteban, president of DePaul, shared remarks with graduates during his final commencement weekend at the university.
Graduates posed for selfies before the Driehaus College of Business ceremony.
Dr. Esteban walked up to the stage for one of his last commencement ceremonies as DePaul's president.
George L. Ruff, the founder and senior principal of Trinity Hotel Investors, LLC, received an honory doctorate degree.
Mayra Del Real, the student speaker for the 2022 Driehaus ceremony, shared her story of struggle and determination.
Students celebrated outside Wintrust Arena.
Graduates smiled for the camera as they awaited the start of the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business ceremony.
Robert Holland accepted a posthumous honorary degree on behalf of his wife, Lori Holland, former chair of DePaul's Board of Trustees, during the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business ceremony.
Robert Rubin, an associate dean and professor, confers the degrees of Kellstadt Graduate School of Business graduates.
Tara-Ann Dugan, a 2022 graduate of the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business, delivers the student address during the ceremony.
Graduate Linda Annicks, presented her son, Jonathan, his degree at the ceremony for the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business.
Balloons dropped from the ceiling adding to the fun and celebration.
Graduates celebrated after the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business ceremony.
Family, friends and fans of a graduate show their love and support before the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and School of Continuing and Professional Studies ceremony.
Ariehn Matamonasa, a professor in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies, carries the university mace during the ceremony's procession.
Jessica Sarowitz accepts an honorary degree during the celebration.
Tatum Thomas, dean of the School of Continuing and Professional Studies, presents degrees to the graduates.
Gigi Pritzker Pucker accepted her honorary degree during the ceremony.
After accepting her honorary degree, Pritzker Pucker presented her commencement address and shared the impact a DePaul faculty member had on her career.
Lenin Plazas, a 2022 graduate of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, shared his story as the child of immigrant parents, a DACA-dreamer and now a first-generation DePaul graduate during his student address.
Dr. Esteban addressed the Class of 2022 at the final ceremony of commencement weekend.
The emotion of this day is written all over her face — mission accomplished!
Happiness is a room full of balloons—and the Class of 2022.
The last graduates of the first in-person commencement ceremonies since 2019 exit the Wintrust Area and enter the "real world."
Graduates and friends shared a smile at the close of DePaul's 2022 commencement weekend.