More than 900 students earned their degrees this semester. (Photos by Jeremy Goldmeier)

The University of Missouri–St. Louis held three commencement ceremonies on Saturday as it celebrated more than 900 new graduates.

Social media manager Jeremy Goldmeier was on hand at the day’s first ceremony and captured the scene as UMSL honored the hard work and accomplishments of graduates of the College of Business Administration and College of Nursing filled the seats on the floor of the Mark Twain Athletic Center. Here are a few photos from the festivities.

Graduates of the College of Business Administration and College of Nursing filled the seats on the floor of the Mark Twain Athletic Center.

A student held two thumbs up as she looks toward her family in the audience during the commencement ceremony.

Steven Harris, who earned his degree in accounting from the College of Business Administration in 2000 and now serves as the managing partner at RubinBrown LLP, delivered the commencement address during the 9 a.m. ceremony.

Several students decorated the tops of their mortar boards with words of inspiration and gratitude.

Maureen Richter, the widow of the late Kirk Richter, and his children Laura Richter and Daniel Richter attended the ceremony to accept an honorary doctorate awarded posthumously to Kirk, a 1968 UMSL graduate. Kirk Richter, who died last January, was a Distinguished Alumni Award winner and a former president of the UMSL Alumni Association.

Professor Michele Meckfessel joined her advisee Zhonghua Cao on stage as he received his DBA. Cao’s dissertation was focused on corporate tax avoidance and fraud risk.

A student shook hands with Chancellor Kristin Sobolik as she walked across the stage at the Mark Twain Athletic Center.