The 2021 UC Santa Barbara class became the university’s youngest alumni on Saturday, when they were honored in a virtual commencement ceremony that included a live keynote speech by the media executive, presenter of social gatherings, author and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey. “You adapted, you innovated, you faced all the challenges that the pandemic could launch,” he told the graduates. “And today you will get the victory while we celebrate the classes of 2020 and 2021.
“You will tell your story to your grandchildren, the story of surviving a global health crisis, of thriving and graduating during a pandemic,” he continued. “You had already created, in your young life, a legacy of resilience, of not giving up when challenges kept coming, of making virtual reality your reality, learning and growing and moving on to the next chapter of your life. “.
The pomp and circumstances of the 2021 class and the graduates of the 2020 class who chose to join began on June 7 with the Grad Walk procession. The Grad Walk allowed graduate students to hear their names, cross a stage and be photographed against a backdrop of the campus lagoon while two guests watched.
Saturday’s opening ceremony opened with Krishna Balagapol, who has completed her bachelor’s degree in psychological and brain sciences, performing the national anthem and closed with her performance of the University song, “Hail to California.” .
The morning celebration continued with several other viral ceremonies presented by colleges and departments to recognize and honor their respective graduates.