UMSL students celebrate during the conferral of academic degrees. More than 1,400 spring and summer graduates celebrated across five commencement ceremonies on Friday and Saturday. (Photos by Derik Holtmann)
The University of Missouri–St. Louis community gathered to celebrate the achievements of more than 1,400 spring and summer graduates during five commencement ceremonies on Friday and Saturday. UMSL photographer Derik Holtmann was on hand throughout the weekend to capture some of the joyous scenes, beginning with Friday afternoon’s event honoring graduates of the College of Optometry.
UMSL music student Mackenna Glazer sings the national anthem during the College of Optometry commencement ceremony held in the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center on Friday.
An UMSL Doctor of Optometry graduate is surrounded by family and friends after the college’s commencement ceremony.
Students in the Ed G. Smith College of Business line up before the commencement ceremony held in the Mark Twain Athletic Center on May 15.
Yuan Chen, director of business student success, helps a graduate student in the College of Business with their tassle before the start of commencement.
Alexandra Lane, a student marshal for the UMSL/Washington University Joint Engineering Program and mechanical engineering graduate, carries the banner during commencement on May 15.
Anirudh Kondaparthi, an MBA graduate, gestures to family and friends during the College of Business commencement ceremony.
A graduate student celebrates as they cross the stage during commencement for the Ed G. Smith College of Business.
Chancellor Kristin Sobolik greets the crowd during UMSL’s spring 2026 commencement. This year marked the final commencement for Sobolik before she steps down from her position on June 30.
UMSL accounting and Honors graduate Kara Johnson hugs Pierre Laclede Honors College Dean Edward Munn Sanchez during commencement.
Pavani Maheswarapu, a December graduate with a master’s degree in Information Systems and Technology, waves to family and friends during commencement.
Brandon Dickson, a computer science graduate, celebrates with friends after commencement.
Music graduate Kirsten Dolejsi smiles as Jim Henry, associate professor of music, announces her name during commencement.
UMSL Golden Graduates pose for a photo before the start of the fourth commencement ceremony. Golden Grads are alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago and continue to shape and inspire the Triton community.
UMSL Chancellor Kristin Sobolik and Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Steven Berberich pose with honorary degree recipients Stanley Freerks, MBA 1992 and Terry Freerks, BA 1977, MEd 1979.
Jada Swearengen, who earned a certificate from the Pierre Laclede Honors College and a bachelor’s degree in criminology and criminal justice, shakes hands with Honors College Dean Ed Munn Sanchez.
View more UMSL photos by visiting the UMSL Flickr and Instagram accounts.
