Central OC Times

More than 8,200 students and their families will attend University of California, Irvine commencement ceremonies between Friday, June 14, and Monday, June 17, at the campus’s Bren Events Center. Overall, UC Irvine will grant 11,034 degrees this academic year – 9,336 undergraduate, 1,146 master’s and 552 doctoral degrees. Notably, 49 percent of those receiving bachelor’s degrees are first-generation college students.

“This graduating class highlights how well UC Irvine is serving the people of our state by offering a world-class education to the best and brightest students, regardless of their financial circumstances, and acting as a powerful engine of upward economic mobility,” said Chancellor Howard Gillman.

Graduates have benefitted from the high value of a UC Irvine education. In the 2019 Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education rankings of the country’s universities, UC Irvine placed first for offering an inclusive and supportive learning environment.

Additionally, UCI continues to maintain its status as a Hispanic-serving institution. This federal designation is awarded to universities where at least 25 percent of undergraduates identify as Latino and at least half of all students receive financial aid. This year alone, UCI will grant bachelor’s degrees to 2,227 Latino students.

A schedule of graduation events, including cultural celebrations, is available on the UC Irvine commencement website. Degrees will be conferred at twelve ceremonies over four days.

For stories about outstanding graduates from this year's class, visit the #IamUCI special report which profiles fifteen individuals.

Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top ten public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement and premier research. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It contributes $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide.

For more information on UC Irvine or media access details for interviews with faculty experts via an on-campus ISDN line (subject to availability), visit www.uci.edu or news.uci.edu.