Thousands celebrate earning degrees from UCI

UC Irvine graduate, Erik Dylan Caraos Matibag, center, acknowledges the faculty during commencement at the Bren Events Center in Irvine on Saturday, June 17, 2023. He received a degree in drama. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

UC Irvine graduates from the Claire Trevor School of the Arts, the School of Education and the School of Physical Sciences, leave the Bren Events Center in Irvine on Saturday, June 17, 2023 after commencement.(Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A UC Irvine graduate pays homage to his mother, during commencement at the Bren Events Center in Irvine on Saturday, June 17, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A UC Irvine graduate looks over her shoulder after arriving for commencement at the Bren Events Center in Irvine on Saturday, June 17, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

UC Irvine faculty members high five students as they leave the stage after commencement at the Bren Events Center in Irvine on Saturday, June 17, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

UC Irvine Chancellor Howard Gillman talks to the graduating class of 2023 from the Claire Trevor School of the Arts, the School of Education and the School of Physical Sciences, at the Bren Events Center in Irvine on Saturday, June 17, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

UC Irvine student Karalyne Kehaulani Virginie Doolaege arrives at the Bren Events Center in Irvine for commencement ceremonies on Saturday, June 17, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Rohan Sharma lets out a holler after walking on stage during UC Irvine commencement on Saturday, June 17, 2023. He received a physical science degree in environmental science and policy. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A UC Irvine graduating student uses her mortar board as a message board during commencement in Irvine on
Saturday, June 17, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A UC Irvine graduate wears a mortar board message during commencement on Saturday, June 17, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

UC Irvine graduate Edward Han holds his oversized mugshot as his family takes pictures after commencement on Saturday, June 17, 2023. He received his M.A, in teaching. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Flowers add color outside the Bren Events Center in Irvine after a commencement ceremony on Saturday, June 17, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Peter the Anteater, the UC Irvine mascot, is dressed for commencement outside the Bren Events Center on
Saturday, June 17, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A UC Irvine graduate is all smiles as she walks across the stage during commencement at the Bren Events Center in Irvine on Saturday, June 17, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Bestselling author,Tania Katan, and co-creator of the globally viral social impact campaign #ItWasNeverADress, is the 2023 commencement speaker for UC Irvine’s Claire Trevor School of the Arts and the School of Education and the School of Physical Sciences on Saturday, June 17, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)