DU Celebrates the Class of 2021

This week the University of Denver celebrated more than 3,000 graduates in more than a dozen Commencement ceremonies over four days. The occasion brought families and friends to Magness Arena at the Ritchie Center for Sports & Wellness to watch their graduate walk across the stage and start the next chapter of their lives.

The president and CEO of National Jewish Health, Dr. Michael Salem, shared an inspirational speech with the graduates about their time at DU and the challenges faced along the way.

“You have already succeeded under circumstances not experienced on this planet in more than 100 years,” Salem told the 1,297 undergraduate and 2,128 graduate students participating in the ceremonies.  “You have persevered and adapted to complete your studies and earn your diplomas during a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic.”

National Jewish Health and the University of Denver collaborated closely over the past months to bring COVID-19 testing to the DU community to allow classes to continue in person. And while the pandemic turned day-to-day life upside down during their final year at DU, these graduates nonetheless pushed ahead and crossed the finish line.

“... All of us, and you who are graduating today have adapted, which has resulted, along with your hard work here over the years, in the most rewarding event like today’s graduation,” Salem  said. “These experiences will lift you up as you move through life.”

Chancellor Jeremy Haefner congratulated the newest DU alumni and shared with them some parting words as they embark on their next adventure.

“There are three skills, in particular, I am proud to see DU students take with them into the world: curiosity, creativity and connection,” Haefner said. “The humanities, the arts and the sciences have all taught you to ask questions, the very basis of a curious mind. The papers, research, projects, teaching and experiences required of you a sense of creativity. And clubs, teaching and mentorship taught you the value of connection. I believe this is what DU students so often exemplify, which sets up apart.”

View pictures from this week’s Commencement ceremonies below.