It’s the most wonderful time of the year! It’s the time when thousands of hours of tears, sweat and brain power is celebrated with a degree of achievement. So here’s a look back on the sights and scenes of the University of Utah’s 148th graduation occasion, where a school-record 8,566 students earned 9,118 diplomas. (To view graduation photos taken by University Marketing and Communications, click here.)

The Class of 2017

Call me DR.NYCE ??❤️? #uofu #classof2017 #futuredoc #graduation #utah #commencement #doublemajor #thankyou

A post shared by Nyce Keiyoro (@simplynyce) on May 5, 2017 at 12:26am PDT

Thankful for this journey because it teaches me that every challenge is an opportunity to find your true originality. Though cancer almost killed me, quantum mechanics was close to defeat my confidence of my career choice, I am glad that I have walked through this long and difficult road. Because it is long and difficult, I have learned to appreciate the value of education, the significance of love, and dreams. I will wake up and keep going because of these lessons that I am carrying on. "Work hard, be kind, the dream will come true". PC: @lindsay_salazar_photography #utahgrad #thejoyofliving #uofu#cancersurvivor

A post shared by JoyFeng (@joyyy_feng) on May 7, 2017 at 10:30pm PDT

We did it! Thanks to Kathy & Karen for making giant heads for us #EcclesGrad #FirstGeneration

A post shared by Gina Sombatsaphay (@ignalovespancakes) on May 5, 2017 at 1:59pm PDT

It's been a long, tough road, and I couldn't have done it without my two girls!! #uofu #bfa #graphicdesign #imnotastudentanymore #alotofpeoplegotoschoolfor7years

A post shared by Blake Heiner (@heinie_21) on May 7, 2017 at 9:11am PDT

We're screaming because WE DID IT!! #graduation #MEd #blackandhooded

A post shared by Natalie Pinkney (@natluvspink) on May 5, 2017 at 10:54am PDT

Graduation day finally came!! Officially a chemical engineer now jumping with joy!! @universityofutah #uofu #universityofutah #graduation #chemicalengineering

A post shared by Brian Brown (@briandavidbooty) on May 5, 2017 at 2:50pm PDT

If I can do it.. you can do it! ✊? #SiSePudo #LatinxGrad #universityofutah #UtahGrad #FromTheWestCoastWithLove

A post shared by Viri Najera (@weedyy_) on May 6, 2017 at 10:18am PDT

This guy finally graduated after a year of hard work! Proud of you! #masterofaccounting #UofU

A post shared by Cindy Liao Niko (@cindy_liao623) on May 5, 2017 at 1:20pm PDT

Congrats to the Department of Theatre class of 2017! #UofU #UGrads #FineArtsGraduates ????

A post shared by U of U Department of Theatre (@uofutheatre) on May 5, 2017 at 8:20am PDT

BFA in Ballet ✅

A post shared by Molly Winker (@mollydances) on May 5, 2017 at 4:05pm PDT

"This is THE main objective! So proud of these guys. Congratulations to the class of 2017!" – Kyle Whittingham #UtahGrad17

A post shared by Utah Football (@utahfootball) on May 5, 2017 at 2:25pm PDT

This is one of my favorite pictures from yesterday. It represents so much good in my life. It shows the reasons why I spent all of those years in school and shows the dedication and achievement of those goals. I am so proud of myself and I am so glad that I have all of the people that surround me to support me. Thank you to everyone that helped me get where I am today. I am one lucky girl. #universityofutah #uofu #uofugrad #uofualumni #classof2017 #collegeofnursing #momlife #utahgrad #utahgrad17

A post shared by Mandee-Lynn (@mandeelynn87) on May 6, 2017 at 10:31am PDT

#Engineering ?Chemical Engineering 2017? ? can't believe we're done ? I'll miss spending 18 hours at school with the hommie. ? lol cheeer??? #chemicalengineer #womeninengineering #utahgrad17 #uofu #universityofutah #engineer #goutes #graduation2017 #graduation

A post shared by WinnieG (@winnxoxo) on May 5, 2017 at 9:31pm PDT

Done! Finished! Completed! Graduated! Wahoooo!!!!!!! Couldn't have done it without the family, fiance, awesome professors, and amazing mountains. Thanks @universityofutah for an incredible experience! #worththeclimb #utahgrad17

A post shared by jakeward90 (@jakeward90) on May 5, 2017 at 8:42pm PDT

It's a done deal. They called my name and you can't deny it. ??‍????? #utahgrad17 #bachelorsofscience #humandevelopment #utegrad #ute

A post shared by Chelsea K (@keeferchels) on May 5, 2017 at 5:22pm PDT

The Commencement Caps

Congratulations! Check out many more photos from the College of Social Work’s 2017 Graduation Ceremony: http://bit.ly/UtahSWGrad17! #BSW #MSW #PhD #SocialWork #Graduation #UtahGrad17 #SocialWorkGraduation #GraduationDay #USocialWork #UofU #UniversityofUtah

A post shared by University of Utah Social Work (@usocialwork) on May 6, 2017 at 5:27pm PDT

Graduation Cap ready for tomorrow! #uofu #graduation #utahgrad17 #worththeclimb #imagineU #ballet #bfa #balletmajor #finearts Thanks Mom and Nan for helping me decorate!

A post shared by Julia Sawmelle (@sawmelledancer) on May 4, 2017 at 9:32pm PDT

Nevertheless, she persisted. #UtahGrad17 pic.twitter.com/s1fn8yNbPp

— Rosie (@roseeebud) May 5, 2017

If I were a brand of gum, I'd be EXTRA ? #utahgrad17

A post shared by Arjana Sanfilippo (@sanfilipino) on Apr 29, 2017 at 10:37am PDT

Born in Maryland, Graduated from the University of Utah #routeoneapparel #maryland #crab #marylandflag #universityofutah #utahgrad17 #mechanicalengineer #goutes

A post shared by marie vandervliet (@marievandervliet) on May 5, 2017 at 3:23pm PDT

Graduation cap is ready! Now my family can see me in the crowd! ? #9days18hours45minleft #BSW2017 #UtahGrad17

A post shared by ☮Alisa Edwards☮ (@joshsbutterfly) on Apr 25, 2017 at 10:13pm PDT

When you pick up your graduation regalia, naturally the first thing you do is decorate your cap, right? #utahgrad17 #countdowntocommencement #universityofutah

A post shared by Liesl Limburg (@urbanindie90) on Apr 1, 2017 at 6:09pm PDT

More grad photos. @carousallie has the cutest grad cap!

A post shared by Abeni Czajkowski (@abeniczajkowski) on Apr 22, 2017 at 10:38am PDT

One month until graduation where I shall blossom into a fully fledged biologist. ?#utahgrad17

A post shared by Tina Xu (@xutina) on Apr 5, 2017 at 11:56am PDT

shoutout to all my first generation grads ? we did it ?✊? #latinxgradcaps #latinxgrads #universityofutah @latinxgraduates @latinarebels

A post shared by chelsea✨ (@chelseaestr3lla) on May 3, 2017 at 11:24am PDT

Graduation is a week away! #graduation #uofu #doctorwho #whovian

A post shared by Courtney (@courtsavage) on Apr 27, 2017 at 6:55pm PDT

Let's get it, #classof2017!!!!??????? #djkahled #iknowican #dalemami #pokitoapoko #valelapena #graduated #educated #firedup #fyrefestival #naptime #thanksmom

A post shared by Guillermina (@gui.legal) on May 4, 2017 at 10:30am PDT

She did it!! #graduationday #uofu #utes #universityofutah #phd #phdgraduation #phdlife #nowonedegreehotter #collegeofminesandearthscience #atmosphericscience @cottoncashmerecathair #soproud

A post shared by krambow63 (@krambow63) on May 5, 2017 at 2:00pm PDT

Congratulations Anastasia we are so proud of you!!!#graduation #2017 #teachersofinstagram

A post shared by nicholeathens (@nicholeathens) on May 5, 2017 at 2:08pm PDT

Congrats to all the U of U Students graduating today! I can't believe it's already been 2 years since my graduation! ? #uofu #alphachiomega

A post shared by Evangeline Steele ? (@evangelinesaras) on May 5, 2017 at 11:31am PDT

Those who know me know that I lost a little bit of myself when I lost my grandpa a while back. Since he passed I had an idea to dedicate him in some way for my graduation. He was a big supporter of my education and everyday he would ask how school was (even if it was the weekend) I miss him asking me how my school was and telling me how proud he is of me, but when Im feeling down I can still hear his voice telling me. I know he has been looking down on me this past week. For my graduation I dedicated my cap to my grandpa so even though he is looking down from above he knows where he can find me in the sea of graduates. #graduation #bachelors #UofU #GrandpaIDIdIt #OneMoreDegreeDown

A post shared by Shaylin Rose (@shay_krose) on May 5, 2017 at 6:47am PDT

It was a beautiful day to graduate. ??☀️??‍? #finallydone #utahgrad17 #graduationcap #graduation

A post shared by Carissa Wilcox (@rissawilcox) on May 5, 2017 at 10:07pm PDT

Convocations Across Campus

#PhD student speaker Laurie Blackman. #UtahGrad17 pic.twitter.com/8tBzvV7Hsa

— Utah Social Work (@USocialWork) May 6, 2017

Dean Raymond Tymas-Jones addressing the graduating class of 2017✨?✨

A post shared by UofU College of Fine Arts (@uofufinearts) on May 5, 2017 at 8:14am PDT

Pure elation??? Congratulations graduates! @universityofutah #classof2017 #graduation #SLC

A post shared by uofuarch+plan (@uofuarchplan) on May 5, 2017 at 4:11pm PDT

We had a wonderful Convocation! Congrats to all our 2017 graduates! ??? Thank you @tracymcmillan for joining us! #HumanitiesGivesUtheEdge

A post shared by U of U College of Humanities (@uofuhumanities) on May 5, 2017 at 12:42pm PDT

Congratulations to all our graduates. May the next chapter of your life be filled with success and adventures. #uofu #collegeofscience #uscience @universityofutah

A post shared by U Of U College of Science (@uofu_science) on May 4, 2017 at 2:07pm PDT

The procession into the Huntsman Center has started. The ceremony should be underway shortly! #ecclesgrad pic.twitter.com/vINflFLi69

— Eccles School (@UBusiness) May 5, 2017

Psych in the house! Congratulations graduates of @UUtah @UofUCSBS! #ClassOf2017 pic.twitter.com/upvLSVPWP3

— Paul H. White (@PaulHWhitePhD) May 6, 2017

What a day to graduate! So proud of our graduates! Forever #pharmily pic.twitter.com/7ftuY67sub

— College of Pharmacy (@uofupharmacy) May 5, 2017

We live in a high tech world thanks to engineers and computer scientists, says @UtahCoE Dean Richard Brown. #graduation pic.twitter.com/pnsLAD8lhK

— Utah Engineering (@UtahCoE) May 5, 2017

We had a great Lavender Graduation ceremony yesterday, congrats to all of the Graduates!! Here are some pictures taken by Emilio Camu. pic.twitter.com/AtiMXZ8o7O

— UofU LGBTRC (@UofULGBTRC) May 4, 2017

For an even more comprehensive look at this year’s commencement, check out our Storify coverage of the festivities.