Commencement Speakers Content

California Supreme Court Justice First Guest Speaker at UC Davis Spring Commencements

Julia Ann Easley — May 13, 2025 - 10:31am

California Supreme Court Associate Justice Kelli M. Evans will be the first guest speaker at the commencements of the University of California, Davis, as its School of Law leads off the spring graduation season Friday.

Other guest speakers named to date are Diana E. Ramos, California’s surgeon general, at the School of Medicine commencement Saturday; and Sundeep Dugar, a leader in the pharmaceutical industry, at the two Graduate Studies ceremonies June 12.

UC Davis Student Commencement Speakers Share Remarkable Journeys

Julia Ann Easley — June 11, 2024 - 9:00am

Just talking about her upcoming graduation had UC Davis student Caroline Williams dabbing tears from her eyes. “I told myself I wasn’t going to cry at commencement,” she said with a smile that acknowledged what is surely a lost cause.

Faculty Share Thoughts on Speaking at Commencement

Julia Ann Easley — June 11, 2024 - 9:00am

Debbie Fetter read the emailed invitation and couldn’t contain her joy.

“I literally yelled and immediately called my husband,” she said.

Sacramento Kings’ Head Coach Among UC Davis Graduation Speakers

Julia Ann Easley — May 07, 2024 - 10:51am

The Sacramento Kings' head coach is among the guest speakers for UC Davis' spring commencement season.

Faculty Commencement Speakers to Encourage Graduating Seniors to Keep Learning

Julia Ann Easley — May 23, 2023 - 10:30am

Undergraduate commencement at the Golden 1 Center will feature a different faculty speaker for each of the five ceremonies, June 16-18, with some of the speakers preparing to tell the graduates: Your learning is not over.

California’s New Chief Justice Among UC Davis Graduation Speakers

Julia Ann Easley — May 09, 2023 - 1:00pm

Correction: The following was updated May 17 to reflect speaker Selu Vargas' current role with Customs and Border Protection.

California’s chief justice, the stars of the TV show Critter Fixers: Country Vets, Sacramento’s mayor and a graduate dedicated to serving humanitarian needs are the guest speakers for the spring commencements of the University of California, Davis.

Speakers Named for Spring Undergraduate Commencements

Julia Ann Easley — November 19, 2019 - 10:00am

Alumni distinguished as leaders in public health, education — and even outer space — have been named as the guest speakers for the campus’s three undergraduate commencements in June.

Nadine Burke Harris, the state’s first surgeon general, will address thousands of graduates and their guests at the ceremony on June 12; Francisco Rodriguez, chancellor of the Los Angeles Community ��ý District, on June 13; and NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson, on June 14.

Commencement Speakers for 2020?

Dave Jones — May 31, 2019 - 10:35am

The 2019 commencement season is underway, but we’d like to ask you — faculty, students and staff — to take a few moments to think about the university’s undergraduate commencements in the spring of 2020 and the speakers you would like to hear at those ceremonies.

Omalu Among Commencement Speakers at UC Davis

Julia Ann Easley — May 14, 2019 - 2:59pm

Bennet Omalu, the doctor who inspired the Hollywood movie Concussion, will be among the guest speakers at the spring commencements of the University of California, Davis, this week through June 16.

Quoted at Commencement 2018

Julia Ann Easley — June 26, 2018 - 10:59pm

As thousands of degrees were conferred at spring ceremonies, speakers sought to inspire graduates with the nobility and adventure of the work ahead, challenged them to think big, and encouraged them to touch lives with love. Here is a sampling of their remarks.