A total of 4,575 James Madison University graduates basked in the glory of their hard work and discovery during the university’s annual Spring Commencement exercises May 15-17.
Main ceremonies took place in the Atlantic Union Bank Center, as honors flowed, cheers rose and caps flew.
A total of 4,084 degrees were conferred to undergraduates from the university’s eight academic colleges.
The three-day festivities saw JMU dole out advanced degrees to 491 graduate students. Thursday’s exercises included The Graduate School and also the College of Integrated Science and Engineering, the College of Education, University Studies and the School of Professional and Continuing Education.
JMU President Charlie King shares a moment with Tom Gallaher after conferring the 1972 Madison graduate with an honorary degree in recognition of Gallaher’s 36-year tenure in multiple positions with JMU’s chemistry department.
Additional honors were conferred at Thursday’s Honors College Medallion Ceremony and Friday’s Nursing Convocation. Commissioning for Air Force ROTC happened Monday, May 19, and is slated Saturday, May 24, for Army ROTC.
Onlookers flocked to the AUBC for Friday’s College of Visual and Performing Arts ceremony. Friday also included the College of Health and Behavior Studies ceremonies.
Smiles of satisfaction for a job well done and the forming of lifetime bonds were on display over and over throughout the ongoing celebration.
This scene from Thursday’s School of Professional and Continuing Education festivities played itself out time and again across the long weekend of cherished celebration, marking another chapter in the dream come true for so many graduates from all walks of life.
Love and pride were on full display as families came together to honor their graduates for the years of hard work and the promise of a lifetime of continued learning and growth.
Reactions of joy were the order of the day, as graduates took their places among the long line of JMU Dukes destined to make the world a brighter place for all.
