Nursing students Isabella Crea, Leah Holt and Madelyn Knasinski embrace when they arrive and see each other at the UWM Panther Arena before the ceremony begins. (UWM photo/Elora Hennessey)
Education majors Keizan Sato and Blake Gribble pose for a photo. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Childhood education major Maddie Masse shows off her stole signed by her students and colleagues. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Commencement speaker Gale Klappa gives UWM graduates words of wisdom. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Lea Denny looks toward the audience after she is hooded as an honorary degree recipient. Denny is the founder of HIR Wellness Institute, and is recognized for her innovative, community-rooted trauma-informed care model and mental health advocacy. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Arijit Sen, professor of architecture and urban studies, hoods Mania Taher who received her PhD in architecture. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
MLIS graduate student Nana Yorke pauses for a photo after receiving his master's diploma. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Chancellor Thomas Gibson shakes hands with a graduate student on stage. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
School of Freshwater Sciences students Stephen Scannell, Jena Choi and Natalie Chudzik stand when their school was called. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Juana Villarreal, an Information science & technology graduate, Marine Corps veteran and first-generation student, displays her degree as she walks across the stage. (UWM photo/Elora Hennessey)
Finn Engelbart, who received a Bachelor of Arts degree with an emphasis in fibers, shows the diploma to family and friends in the audience. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey
A student decorated their cap with a Bilbo Baggins quote from "Lord of the Rings": "I think I'm quite ready for another adventure." (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Friends Fadwa Kahla, Aisha Hameed and Natalie Suboh walk together arm in arm after receiving their degrees. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Lubar College of Business PhD Program Coordinator Monica Camacho embraces and poses with her nephew Max Meskin as he graduates from the College of Business. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
It’s the most wonderful time of year at a university: Graduation!
UWM doled out more than 1,500 degrees at fall graduation on Sunday, collected by happy graduates under the proud watch of parents, family and friends.
Here’s a look at Sunday’s festivities at the UWM Panther Arena, along with a look forward and a look back:
