It’s time to celebrate the University of Utah’s Class of 2023! With 8,723 members, it’s the largest group of graduates in the school’s history.

“Regardless of where your journey takes you next, you will be needed. Lean into the talents and education you have gained here at the U. Be an agent of change in your own life and the lives of others,” said University of Utah President Taylor Randall.

The 154th general commencement will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 4 at the Jon M. Huntsman Center. In-person college convocations will be held in the Alumni House, Huntsman Center, Kingsbury Hall and Union Building on May 2-5. The Colleges of Law and Pharmacy will hold their ceremonies on May 12 and the Schools of Dentistry and Medicine will hold theirs on May 19.

“As members of the U community, you helped create a rich, diverse and vibrant learning environment,” Randall added. “You showed resolve to push yourself to explore, discover, collaborate and create. I hope you had unforgettable experiences and made connections that will last a lifetime.”

This year’s student graduation speaker is Chloe Carr. Though Carr finished her bachelor’s of marketing in December, she said that's not where she learned her most important life lessons. For her, those came from the ball field with her dad. In her commencement speech, Carr will share how those lessons helped her find a place at the U as an out-of-state student and successfully complete her degree.

“In school, I was challenged beyond what I believed I was capable of and pushed out of my comfort zone into that space where I’ve been told growth happens,” Carr said. “As a result, my dreams got bigger and the doors that were once closed were kicked in. I was 1,000 miles away from everything I had ever known, and somehow, I felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.”

Read more student stories from the Class of 2023 here.

“Each student has worked so hard and overcome their own challenges to achieve their goal of receiving a degree, and we as staff and faculty get to celebrate with them and their friends and families,” said Lori McDonald, vice president for Student Affairs. “There is just nothing else like it and I can't wait to honor the Class of 2023. Commencement is my favorite event of the year,”

Chair of the Special Olympics International and Dignity Index co-creator Tim Shriver will give the keynote speech for commencement.

"I want to mirror back to the students that they are more beautiful than they possibly imagine and so are their brothers and sisters, even when they disagree," Shriver said. "This country has a future, if they believe in it and if they make it. The education they have gotten here has prepared them for a life of compassion and dignity and service and courage. Don't underestimate the power that has to bring you happiness and fulfillment."