Commencement 2021

It had been a long, hard year, and the forecast called for thunderstorms. But on Friday, June 4, the skies cleared long enough for the 570 members of the class of 2021 to celebrate the College’s 143rd commencement. President Paula Johnson welcomed the seniors gathered on Severance Green and over 100 scholars from around the United States and from China, India, Morocco, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Zimbabwe.

Students in line before Commencement 2021, wearing robes and stoles and masks
A student and a faculty member speak, the faculty member with their hands over their heart
A student adjusts Harambee House and Africana studies stoles before commencement
Students in line before commencement, wearing robes and stoles and tams
Students embrace at Commencement
Students clasp hands at commencement
A student adjusts their tam, decorated with a colorful wreath of flowers, at commencement
A student uses their cell phone to take a picture of two other students embracing and smiling for the camera
Two students in robes and tams high-five with both hands
Students embrace at commencement
The back of a students tam decorated with the word "sea" and a painted seascape
A student adjusts their green tassel
Faculty members in regalia joshing around
Faculty members in regalia
Students process to their seats, some carrying signs with the names of students attending remotely
Students process during commencement
Faculty applaud as students process during commencement
Faculty carrying the spirit stick (it's a stick wrapped in white and blue ribbons?)
A view of the stage at Commencement 2021
Kimimilasha “Kisha” James ’21 at the podium

An acknowledgment that Wellesley is built on the ancestral and unceded lands of Indigenous people was offered by Kimimilasha “Kisha” James ’21, an enrolled member of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) and Oglala Lakota.

The students sitting at commencement, wearing masks

Katie Christoph ’21 and Shreya Parjan ’21, co-class presidents

A student with a white wreath of flowers around her tam applauds at commencement
Overview of the students at commencement 2021
Students applaud at Commencement 2021
Faculty on the podium applaud
President Paula Johnson congratulates Selwyn R. Cudjoe

President Paula Johnson congratulates Selwyn R. Cudjoe, one of the 2021 recipients of the Pinanski Prize

President Paula Johnson congratulates Alice T. Friedman, one of the 2021 recipients of the Pinanski Prize

Rebecca Belisle waves to the crowd after receiving the 2021 Pinanski Prize

Commencement Speaker Liz Miranda ’02, state representative of the 5th Suffolk district

A student celebrates after receiving their diploma
Paula Johnson hands a diploma to a graduate
A student grins receiving their diploma
A diploma cover reading Wellesley College
Students embrace after commencement
Graduates embrace after commencement
Students toss their tams after commencement

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