ASU: Students share excitement as largest class in university history graduates
TEMPE, Ariz. - Arizona State University is celebrating the largest graduating class in the university’s history on May 6, with nearly 21,000 Sun Devils graduating from ASU. These students, along with their guests, were on campus for the big day on Monday.
"Very proud to be here," said Hannah Scharf. "I had my whole family come down. My boyfriend’s whole family came down, so I have lots of support today."
Hannah came to ASU from Canada to compete for the gymnastics team. She accomplished a lot on and off the mat, having earned her masters in Organizational Leadership.
"It’s exciting, for sure," said Hannah. "It will be an adjustment. I’m going to have to adapt pretty quickly, but I’m looking forward to it. I'm very hopeful for the future."
Another graduate, Blanca, said Monday had been emotional.
"I have two kids now, and I work full-time 7:30 to 4, and being able to do it from my home online, but I did it. I'm here," said Blanca.
Blanca, who is graduating with a masters in Early Childhood Education, says earning this degree was not easy, but it was worth it.
Meanwhile, Makaila is finally getting the graduation experience she's waited for, as she graduates with a masters in Human Resources and Employment Law.
"I actually graduated with my undergrad during 2020, so COVID, and it was a lot, so I'm excited to actually get to walk here at graduation today," said Makaila. "To be here with my fellow graduates and my fellow classmates, it's just very exciting."
While some commencement ceremonies across the country were canceled due to protests, there were no interruptions during the ceremony at ASU on May 6. Officials also said beforehand that disruptions will not be tolerated.
‘It feels amazing’
"It feels absolutely surreal as a 2020 graduate. It feels amazing to be here alongside my peers, to celebrate our four years of hard work and dedication to our program. So I'm just overwhelmed with gratitude," Miss Arizona Tiffany Ticlo said.
She is among the thousands of ASU graduates celebrating a major milestone the right way, compared to their high school graduation experience in 2020.
"My family decorated my car. It was all decked out, I picked up my diploma through a drive-thru kind of situation and went home. Ordered a bunch of Canes, and we watched the ceremony on the TV," she said about her high school graduation.
A majority of these graduates had no choice but to start their first year of classes online, navigating their college years uniquely.
"I think that's what makes today even more special to get to celebrate here on the field," Ticlo said.
Other inspiring graduates include a young PhD student who founded a STEM program for girls in Chicago and South Africa, a mother and daughter graduating duo, and a student who turned his life around.
"Oh, it feels amazing. I think ASU is number one in innovation. I think it's incredible that we continue to grow. Our students are so diverse. Not only in their backgrounds, but their interests. We're truly supported throughout campus the whole year," Ticlo said.
Miss Arizona, Tiffany Ticlo, is walking away with her bachelor's degree in computer science.
"I'll be working full time as a software developer at a company here in Arizona. I am very excited. I got my career actually from the career fair here at ASU, so it worked out really well," she said.