Hall of Fame Soccer Star, Alumna Briana Scurry Shares Journey of Adversity and Triumph at UMass Amherst Commencement

Kumble Subbaswamy presides at his 11th, and final, Commencement as chancellor

Public Advised to Plan Ahead for Heavy Traffic, Street Closures During Move-Out and Commencement at UMass Amherst

Move-out is planned for Wednesday, May 24 and Thursday, May 25 and graduation activities are scheduled from Thursday through Saturday, with the combined undergraduate and graduate Commencement Ceremony at McGuirk Alumni Stadium set for 9 a.m. Friday.

10 UMass Amherst Undergraduates to be Honored as 21st Century Leaders at Commencement 2023

UMass Amherst will honor the exemplary achievements, initiative and leadership of some of its most talented and accomplished undergraduate students during Commencement 2023 on Friday, May 26 at McGuirk Alumni Stadium.

A computer science major with a passion for using his technical expertise to benefit the community and a doctoral candidate and mother who advocated for family-friendly workspaces for her fellow graduate students will represent the undergraduate and graduate classes of 2023, respectively, as student speakers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Amherst’s Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 26.

Honorees include Cheryll Toney Holley, Esther Terry, William and Joyce Cummings, Keynote Speaker Briana Scurry and Charles Hallberg

The leader of the Hassanamisco Nipmuc Band, an alumna and social justice advocate, husband and wife entrepreneurs and philanthropists, and an alumna who blazed a trail for women in sports will be bestowed honorary degrees at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 26, at McGuirk Alumni Stadium.

In addition, an alumnus who founded a pharmacy benefits management company focused on consumer-driven, cost-effective and therapeutically appropriate prescription drug care will receive a Distinguished Achievement Award.

Legendary hall of fame soccer goalkeeper and alumna Briana Scurry, a trailblazer for African American women in sports, will present the keynote address at the University of Massachusetts Amherst commencement ceremony on Friday, May 26, at 9 a.m. at McGuirk Alumni Stadium. The university will also celebrate her many achievements with the presentation of an honorary degree.

The Master's and Education Specialist Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 12 at 3:00 p.m. at the Mullins Center. If you are planning to attend, you must register yourself and your guests, here.

All master's and doctoral students are invited to submit photos for the Graduate Student Photo Tribute to be featured at the Class of 2023 Commencement Ceremony.

The 21st Century Leaders Award recognizes the strong academic record and exemplary achievement of undergraduate students who further distinguished their intellectual accomplishments, and enhanced the reputation of the University by contributing to the campus community through their leadership skills, academic achievements, community service, and artistic or athletic accomplishments.

All master's and doctoral students are invited to submit a speech proposal for consideration as the UMass Amherst Graduate Student Speaker for the Class of 2023 Commencement Ceremony.