Watch Live: UK December 2018 Commencement Ceremonies

Watch the December 2018 UK Commencement ceremonies that took place Dec. 14 at Rupp Arena:

• 10 a.m. December 2018 UK Commencement (Colleges of Agriculture, Food and Environment; Education; Engineering; Fine Arts; Medicine; Social Work; Public Health; Pharmacy; Martin School of Public Policy and Administration; and Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce: https://youtu.be/38n0MIukQaY
• 2 p.m. December 2018 UK Commencement (Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Gatton College of Business and Economics; Communication and Information; Design; Health Sciences; and Nursing): https://youtu.be/4qSYVn18xBg

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 14, 2018) — The University of Kentucky will honor its newest alumni today at the December 2018 Commencement Ceremonies.  

The two ceremonies will begin 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14. Watch live as undergraduate, graduate and professional degree recipients receive their diplomas on stage at Rupp Arena.

More than 1,200 students are expected to participate in the ceremonies. Overall, 1,492 undergraduate, 509 graduate and 38 professional degree candidates for December had their degrees approved by the UK Board of Trustees. August 2018 degree recipients are also eligible to participate in the December ceremonies. A total of 845 degrees were conferred for August. Doctoral, master's and baccalaureate degree recipients are now recognized together based on their colleges.

Due to construction around Rupp Arena and Lexington Center, parking and entry information is available at http://uknow.uky.edu/campus-news/downtown-parking-traffic-and-entry-update-uk-commencement. The graduates and their guests should arrive at least one hour before the start of their ceremony.

Friday's ceremonies include:

• 10 a.m.: ceremony for students in the Colleges of Agriculture, Food and Environment; Education; Engineering; Fine Arts; Medicine; Social Work; Public Health; Pharmacy; Martin School of Public Policy and Administration; and Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce
• 2 p.m.: ceremony for students in the Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Gatton College of Business and Economics; Communication and Information; Design; Health Sciences; and Nursing

Graduate Stories

While all graduates are celebrated for their tremendous achievements, many have particularly interesting stories to share about their lives and time at UK.

• Though proud of his humble beginnings, Bryan Willis had dreams and aspirations that were anything but small. Five years ago, he was determined to set an example for his four younger siblings. Willis left his hometown of Burkesville, Kentucky, to attend UK and become the first member of his family to pursue a college degree. Upon graduating with a bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering, he will head for Houston to officially become a computer engineer for NASA's Johnson Space Center. There, Willis will help construct the Portable Life Support System, otherwise known as the back-pack, on the upcoming spacesuit. "More specifically, I will be working on the voice enunciation software that will speak to the astronaut. It provides critical information, like oxygen levels," he said. Read more about Willis at http://uknow.uky.edu/student-and-academic-life/first-generation-grad-shoots-stars-lands-job-nasa.
• While most seniors are busy in their final semester, DayShea White has had an additional commitment: giving birth to her baby boy earlier this fall. She was motivated to complete her coursework on time — even going back into the classroom two weeks after having an emergency C-section. Now, White wants to use her degree in social work to help youth in Kentucky. She plans to develop an organization that targets vulnerable children in her hometown of Louisville to promote choice and opportunity. "(My son) reminds me every day that my dreams have not stopped," she said. "He gave me more to work toward." Read more about White at http://uknow.uky.edu/student-and-academic-life/uk-grads-new-baby-motivates-her-finish-degree.

Honorary Degree

Virginia Carter, who led the Kentucky Humanities Council for more than two decades, will receive an Honorary Doctor of Humanities at the 2 p.m. ceremony. Read more: https://uknow.uky.edu/campus-news/former-head-kentucky-humanities-council-receive-honorary-doctorate-uk.

Student Speakers

In addition to UK President Eli Capilouto, a student representative will address the audience at each of the ceremonies, as per UK tradition. Kelsey Allmon, from Grove City, Ohio, is graduating with a master's degree from the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce. She will give the Commencement address at the 10 a.m. ceremony. Kendall Hitch, from Troy, Michigan, is graduating with a bachelor's degree in political science from the College of Arts and Sciences and the Lewis Honors College. She will deliver the Commencement address at the 2 p.m. ceremony. Read more: https://uknow.uky.edu/student-and-academic-life/december-2018-commencement-speakers-announced.

Livestream

Both ceremonies will be streamed on UK's YouTube channel and the link may be accessed at www.uky.edu/uknow, the university’s news website. Full video of each ceremony will be available within two weeks after Commencement at www.youtube.com/universityofkentucky.

Social media users are encouraged to use the hashtag #UKgrad.

For more information about UK Commencement, visit www.uky.edu/commencement.