The Graduate Division returned to San Francisco’s historic Herbst Theatre for the 2025 Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 16. At our largest-ever commencement, we celebrated 195 of this year’s master’s and PhD degree candidates with the help of dozens of faculty members, university leaders, and staff volunteers, plus close to 700 family and friends. Several hundred more joined the event remotely via the live stream, which is available for viewing. The Class of 2025 comprises graduates from 24 degree programs, including the first graduating cohort from the master’s program in Artificial Intelligence and Computational Drug Discovery and Development (AICD3).
Before the main event of hooding of graduates, Professor Mark Ansel, PhD, offered a keynote address in which he pondered the compelling question “Why science?,” including responses and reflections he had gathered from this year’s graduates. The festivities also included the presentation of the Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award, given this year to Michelle Arkin, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry. Her mentees Chad Altobelli and Johanna Virta, graduating students in the Chemistry and Chemical Biology PhD program, presented the award on behalf of the Associated Students of the Graduate Division.
Vice Provost and Dean for Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs Nicquet Blake, PhD, presided over the proceedings, with Chancellor Sam Hawgood on hand to confer degrees. The graduates were presented by Jennifer Nazareno, PhD, associate dean for graduate programs; D’Anne Duncan, PhD, assistant dean for graduate student affairs; and Professor Christopher Carpenter, MD, director of the Global Health Sciences master’s program.
All photos by Noah Berger.
Why Science?
“Science is the best way we’ve found to predict how our actions affect the world and what the future may bring …. People everywhere – maybe especially in this country – really believe in innovation. They expect the future to be brighter because of the things we can create through knowledge and technology. … So, why science? For patients, to extend and improve lives. Why science? Because knowledge and innovation are the engines that drive our economy and make our world a better place to live in. Why science? Because we can’t stop asking questions. We cannot stop asking questions. We must not stop asking questions.”
– Mark Ansel, PhD, professor of Microbiology and Immunology, in his commencement address
Human-scale leadership...
“As you become leaders...it’s going to be your job to inspire people. So how do you do that? I do not expect you or want you to be “superhuman”; in fact I want you to be super human, like really human. Everybody makes mistakes … make your mistakes, apologize, and whack yourself on the head and move on. … Be that inspirational leader who sits next to me and inspires me with your humility, and your presence, and your grace.”
– Michelle Arkin, PhD, Thomas William and Frederick John MacWilliam Distinguished Professor and Chair, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, and recipient of the 2025 Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award
“We believe in you. We trust that you will do the right things. We trust that you will lead and you will thrive. Thank you for all that you done for us here at UCSF to make this a better place.”
– Nicquet Blake, PhD, Vice Provost and Dean, Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs
Watch the commencement ceremony.