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A graduate stands amongst a sea of other graduates, all in their caps and gowns, while she talks on the phone with a big smile on her face trying to find her family in the crowd.

GVSU in photos, April 2022: A focus on Commencement to honor recent Laker graduates

BY Amanda Pitts
Image credit - Top photo by Amanda Pitts

May 3, 2022
Stage at Commencement and the reflection of the stage.
President Philomena V. Mantella welcomed graduates to the morning Commencement ceremony held at Van Andel Arena April 30.
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills
A university president speaks at a lectern.
President Philomena V. Mantella addresses the crowd at the April 30 morning Commencement ceremony at Van Andel Arena.
Image credit - Image credit: Valerie Hendrickson
A group of college students laugh as they wear their cap and gowns.
Soon-to-be graduates share a laugh at the April 29 Commencement ceremony.
Image credit - Image credit: Amanda Pitts
A college student looks over a shoulder wearing a blue cap and gown during commencement.
A student looks over a shoulder at the crowd while waiting for the April 29 Commencement ceremony to begin.
Image credit - Amanda Pitts
Smiling university faculty members process into the Commencement ceremony.
Faculty member Donijo Robbins, professor of public finance, smiles during the faculty procession at the beginning of the April 30 afternoon Commencement ceremony.
Image credit - Image credit: Amanda Pitts
University faculty members stand during a Commencement ceremony.
Stephen Mattox, geology professor, stands among faculty members at the beginning of the April 29 Commencement ceremony.
Image credit - Image credit: Amanda Pitts
University college students sit wearing their caps and gowns during commencement.
A row of graduates watches the Commencement video at the April 30 Commencement ceremony at Van Andel Arena.
Image credit - Amanda Pitts
A college student sings the national anthem wearing Commencement attire.
Tre'ondis Snodgrass sings the national anthem at the beginning of the April 30 morning Commencement ceremony.
Image credit - Image credit: Valerie Hendrickson
A college student speaks at the lectern in her blue cap and gown.
Amela Aganovic, who earned a degree in computer science with a minor in German, spoke about being a second-generation American and the power and possibilities that are available to graduates now that they have their degrees.
Image credit - Image credit: Valerie Hendrickson
A college student speaks at the lectern in her Commencement cap and gown.
Tamara Jones, who earned a degree in social work, talked about gratitude and said that a degree is more than an accomplishment -- it's symbolic of one's determination and character.
Image credit - Image credit: Amanda Pitts
A person wearing a cap and gown speaks at a podium.
Gerard Cooke, who earned a master's degree in business administration, spoke to fellow GVSU graduates during the April 30 morning Commencement at the Van Andel Arena.
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills
Recent college graduates walk to their seats after receiving their diplomas.
After receiving their diplomas, new GVSU graduates head back to their seats during an April 30 Commencement ceremony at the Van Andel Arena.
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills
A college student wearing glasses and cap and gown listens during Commencement speeches.
A graduate student watches the April 30 afternoon Commencement ceremony at Van Andel Arena.
Image credit - Image credit: Amanda Pitts
A college student laughs as a 2022 graduation tassel hangs off their graduation cap.
A student's smiling face is obscured by a tassel and the surrounding graduation caps.
Image credit - Image credit: Amanda Pitts
A college student flexes muscles on stage after receiving their diploma.
Image credit - Image credit: Valerie Hendrickson
A university president shakes the hand of a college graduate after they received their diploma.
Image credit - Image credit: Amanda Pitts
A college student waves on stage after receiving their diploma.
Image credit - Image credit: Valerie Hendrickson
Students cross the stage at the April 2022 Commencement ceremonies.
A line of college students celebrate as they cross their stage during commencement.
Grand Valley graduates celebrate as they receive their diplomas.
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills
A college student celebrates with their diploma.
Image credit - Image credit: Valerie Hendrickson
A college student is silhouetted against a blue curtain as they exit the stage during Commencement.
Image credit - Image credit: Valerie Hendrickson
A tassel falls into the face of a college graduate as they receive their diploma.
Image credit - Image credit: Kendra Stanley-Mills
Graduates celebrate receiving their diplomas during Grand Valley's recent Commencement ceremonies.
A university faculty member laughs as she takes a photo as a student walks across the stage during Commencement.
A GVSU faculty member takes a photo of a graduate receiving a diploma during the April 30 morning Commencement ceremony.
Image credit - Image credit: Kendra Stanley-Mills
A university faculty member hugs a student after they received their diploma.
A GVSU faculty member hugs a graduate who received a diploma during the April 30 morning Commencement ceremony.
Image credit - Image credit: Kendra Stanley-Mills
A college student wearing a blue cap and gown is framed by other graduates during commencement ceremonies.
A student awaits the opportunity to cross the stage at the April 29 Commencement ceremony at Van Andel Arena.
Image credit - Image credit: Amanda Pitts
A college student wearing graduation attire poses for a photo.
Image credit - Image credit: Amanda Pitts
An overall photo of an arena for university commencement.
Image credit - Image credit: Valerie Hendrickson
A college student poses with arms raised for a photo during commencement.
Image credit - Image credit: Amanda Pitts
Recent GVSU graduates pose for photos and celebrate their graduation in front of an arena full of family, friends and supporters.
A recent college graduate moves his tassel from the right to the left.
A bachelor's degree graduate moves the tassel from the right to the left after being conferred.
Image credit - Valerie Hendrickson
A university president fist bumps recent college graduates as they exit the ceremony.
A graduate fist bumps President Philomena V. Mantella after the April 29 Commencement ceremony.
Image credit - Image credit: Valerie Hendrickson
Recent college graduates celebrate during commencement.
A graduate celebrates at the end of the April 30 afternoon Commencement.
Image credit - Image credit: Amanda Pitts
Recent college graduates raise their arms and make a heart hand symbol during commencement.
Students wave to their family and friends at the April 29 Commencement ceremony at Van Andel Arena.
Image credit - Image credit: Amanda Pitts
College graduates celebrate receiving their diplomas.
A graduate celebrates during the April 29 Commencement ceremony.
Image credit - Image credit: Amanda Pitts
A college graduate hugs loved ones during Commencement ceremonies.
A GVSU student greets loved ones before the start of the April 30 morning Commencement ceremony at the Van Andel Arena.
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills
College graduates celebrate during commencement.
Two graduates celebrate at the end of the April 29 Commencement ceremony.
Image credit - Image credit: Amanda Pitts
A recent college graduate waves to family as they exit the arena with a diploma.
A recent GVSU graduate waves to someone in the audience while leaving Van Andel Arena with a diploma in hand during the April 30 afternoon Commencement ceremony.
Image credit - Image credit: Kendra Stanley-Mills
A college student peeks from behind a curtain to look for family during Commencement.
Keondra Williams waves to family before the start of the April 30 afternoon Commencement ceremony at the Van Andel Arena.
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills
A mother tearfully embraces her daughter after she graduated from college.
Recent graduate Daisy Sanchez hugs mom, Maria Sanchez, after the April 30 afternoon Commencement ceremony in downtown Grand Rapids.
Image credit - Image credit: Kendra Stanley-Mills
Two college best friends jump on each other in celebration during commencement festivities.
Paige Harvey jumps on the back of "bestie" Brooke Marinucci before the start of GVSU's April 30 morning Commencement ceremony.
Image credit - Image credit:Kendra Stanley-Mills

Learn more about the April 2022 Commencement ceremonies and watch for more photos on the GVSU social media channels.

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