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More than 5,700 students graduated from Northern Arizona University this weekend in a series of four commencement ceremonies held in the Walkup Skydome on May 9 and 10.

The Friday morning graduation ceremony recognized students in the Steve Sanghi College of Engineering and the College of the Environment, Forestry and Natural Sciences at both the undergraduate and graduate level. The ceremony included recognition of students graduating with a variety of academic achievements and as well as those who are veterans, parents, transfer and first-generation college students.

Performances from the NAU Wind Symphony and the NAU Highlanders opened the ceremony, followed by opening remarks from NAU President José Luis Cruz Rivera and Karli VanderMeersch, the president of the Associated Students of NAU.

“As you step into new environments, new labs, new jobs, new teams, you’ll face a lot of firsts,� VanderMeersch told her classmates. “And firsts can be terrifying, but they’re also where growth lives. ... You’re leaving with more than a degree, you’re leaving with a mindset, one that’s curious, resilient and ready to build.�

In his message to the graduates, Cruz Rivera mentioned that the Class of 2025 arrived at NAU around the same time as he did. Cruz Rivera became president of the university in June 2021.

“We navigated that first year together, you deciphering the maze of college life and me finding my footing as the new president of NAU," he said. "We’ve grown together, we’ve evolved together, and watching your remarkable journey has been nothing short of breathtaking.�

Some highlights that Cruz Rivera highlighted in that span included the university earning an R1 research designation, breaking fundraising records for the NAU Foundation in year “and our football team finished undefeated, defending this very dome."

“You’ve exemplified excellence at every turn,� Cruz Rivera told the students, before pausing to take the customary selfie with the graduating class.

He advised the students to continue growing and changing, telling them that they are “absolutely ready to make this world better, because you hold the essential art of creative problem-solving in ways previous generations never imagined."

The ceremony’s commencement speaker was Deborah Harris, who received an honorary doctoral degree for her service to NAU students and her impact on the both the university and the City of Flagstaff.

Harris is a former member of Flagstaff City Council who has held several leadership roles throughout the city and spent almost 25 years working at NAU. She has been involved in the Flagstaff Unified School District, United Way, the Coconino County African Diaspora Advisory Council, the Flagstaff Police Department Citizen Liaison Committee, the Flagstaff Symphony and the Southside Community Association since she first moved to Flagstaff in 1993.

In her address to the graduates, Harris spoke about hope. She said, while less often thought about, hope is what brought the students through their time at university and will continue on into their future.

“Even in a galaxy far, far away, hope matters, and right now, I’m placing all my hope in you -- no pressure,� she said after referencing the beginning of Star Wars. “The world beyond campus is big, unpredictable and, yes, full of adulting. But hope isn't about ignoring problems, it's about believing you can face them. Hope is what keeps us moving forward."

She added: “To whom much is given, much is expected. Now it's your turn to give back, lift others up and leave with purpose and, yes, with hope.�

Before the first commencement Friday morning, family, friends and other supporters lined up around the Skydome, while the soon-to-be grads prepared for the ceremony inside.

Graduates Josh Oladele and a friend were putting on their regalia before heading to their seats for the ceremony.

Oladele said he decided to study mathematics because “it's fun� and said he was ready to graduate. He chose to attend NAU for his master's degree because it aligned with interests for research. He planned to teach at a school in Texas after graduation while beginning the process of earning his Ph.D.

Civil engineering major Natali Farkouh had decorated her graduation cap with a Turkish and Armenian style crown, which she said she chose because she is Middle Eastern.

While Farkouh said she was nervous ahead of the ceremony, she was also ready to graduate. Her studies at NAU also included minors in business and construction, and she said she already has plans to use her new bachelor's degree.

In June, Farkouh plans to begin working as a field engineer for Gilbane Construction in Phoenix.

Farkouh said she’ll be heading to her next steps with “good friends, lifelong knowledge and practice in civil engineering� that she gained from her time at NAU.

Livestreams of NAU’s 2025 spring commencement ceremonies are available at . Programs and additional information can be found at .