UK grads recognized as the first graduates in their families during the first of two UK graduation ceremonies at Central Bank Center on May 9, 2025, in Lexington, Ky.
Tasha Poullard
tpoullard@herald-leader.com
Thousands of University of Kentucky students are turning their tassels this weekend, graduating and moving from student to alumni.
Undergraduate graduation ceremonies are happening Friday and Saturday at Rupp Arena. More than 5,700 degrees will be awarded by UK this May, and more than 4,200 graduates will participate in ceremonies by the end of Saturday, according to the university.
President Eli Capilouto, speaking at a ceremony Friday, acknowledged that students graduating in 2025 have faced chaos and questions, but they should take the lessons learned through those into their future.
Capilouto also acknowledged the different, sometimes winding, paths students took to get to graduation.
“Life invariably doesn’t follow the script, but there can be — and so often is — beauty in that too,” Capilouto said.
Graduation celebrations, including the first-generation student ceremony, the Lavender Graduation ceremony hosted by the Office of LGBTQ+ Resources and the Harambee Unity Graduation Celebration honoring Black students, were all canceled.
First-generation college students were recognized by being asked to stand at Friday’s ceremonies, as well as students who served in the military.
Earlier this year, the Kentucky legislature passed House Bill 4, banning all DEI practices at state colleges and universities. Universities must be in compliance with the law by June 30.
Nationally, DEI has also come under scrutiny under the Trump administration. The U.S. Department of Education announced it was investigating more than 50 universities for their use of DEI, including UK. The university later said it had cut ties with the organization believed to have sparked the investigation.
See photos from Friday’s ceremonies.
UK graduates moving their tassels from left to right, symbolizing the transition from a degree candidate to a graduate in the completion of an academic journey during the first of two UK graduation ceremonies at Central Bank Center on May 9, 2025, in Lexington, Ky. Tasha Poullard tpoullard@herald-leader.com
UK students standing in acknowledgment of Bachelor’s degree candidacy during the first of two UK graduation ceremonies at Central Bank Center on May 9, 2025, in Lexington, Ky. Tasha Poullard tpoullard@herald-leader.com
Collage of Arts & Science celebrating during the 2PM UK graduation ceremony at Central Bank Center on May 9, 2025, in Lexington, Ky. Tasha Poullard tpoullard@herald-leader.com
University of Kentucky President, Dr. Eli L. Capilouto, addresses UK grads during the first of two UK graduation ceremonies at Central Bank Center on May 9, 2025, in Lexington, Ky. Tasha Poullard tpoullard@herald-leader.com
UK grads recognized as the first graduates in their families during the first of two UK graduation ceremonies at Central Bank Center on May 9, 2025, in Lexington, Ky. Tasha Poullard tpoullard@herald-leader.com
UK grad recognized as the first graduates in his family during the first of two UK graduation ceremonies at Central Bank Center on May 9, 2025, in Lexington, Ky. Tasha Poullard tpoullard@herald-leader.com
A UK graduate student sports the “In my Bag” decoration on her graduation hat during the first of two UK graduation ceremonies at Central Bank Center on May 9, 2025, in Lexington, Ky. Tasha Poullard tpoullard@herald-leader.com
Degree Candidate Maya Barber sings a combination of the National Anthem and “Lift Every Voice and Sing” during the first of two UK graduation ceremonies at Central Bank Center on May 9, 2025, in Lexington, Ky. Tasha Poullard tpoullard@herald-leader.com
Two students guide family members into the arena during the first of two UK graduation ceremonies at Central Bank Center on May 9, 2025, in Lexington, Ky. Tasha Poullard tpoullard@herald-leader.com
A “Blessed Cause I Believe” graduation hat during the first of two UK graduation ceremonies at Central Bank Center on May 9, 2025, in Lexington, Ky. Tasha Poullard tpoullard@herald-leader.com
University Marshal leads the graduation processional, holding the traditional mace during the first of two UK graduation ceremonies at Central Bank Center on May 9, 2025, in Lexington, Ky. Tasha Poullard tpoullard@herald-leader.com
UK Men’s basketball forward (15) Ansley Almonor walks with the class of 2025 to applause from fellow grads and UK fans during the first of two UK graduation ceremonies at Central Bank Center on May 9, 2025, in Lexington, Ky. Tasha Poullard tpoullard@herald-leader.com
Degree Candidate Julianna Boulden addresses the class of 2025 with an emotionally stirring speech during the first of two UK graduation ceremonies at Central Bank Center on May 9, 2025, in Lexington, Ky. Tasha Poullard tpoullard@herald-leader.com
Samantha Goette sings the national anthem during the 2PM UK graduation ceremony at Central Bank Center on May 9, 2025, in Lexington, Ky. Tasha Poullard tpoullard@herald-leader.com
Doctoral candidate is being hooded during the first of two UK graduation ceremonies at Central Bank Center on May 9, 2025, in Lexington, Ky. Tasha Poullard tpoullard@herald-leader.com
UK students standing in acknowledgment of Bachelor’s degree candidacy during the first of two UK graduation ceremonies at Central Bank Center on May 9, 2025, in Lexington, Ky. Tasha Poullard tpoullard@herald-leader.com
University of Kentucky graduates turn their tassels at the commencement ceremony on Friday, May 9, 2025. Tashandra Poullard tpoullard@herald-leader.com
Monica Kast covers higher education for the Herald-Leader and Kentucky.com. Previously, she covered higher education in Tennessee for the Knoxville News Sentinel. She is originally from Louisville, Kentucky, and is a graduate of Western Kentucky University.Support my work with a digital subscription
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