Photo gallery: 2017 winter commencement

Whatever the season, commencement is full of warmth and good cheer. More than 8,000 people gathered at the Kohl Center to celebrate with the Class of 2017.

Musicians play trumpets festooned with Wisconsin banners as the ceremony begins. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Photo of the crowd. In all, 1,155 graduates walked the stage.

In all, 1,155 graduates walked the stage. Photo by: Hyunsoo Léo Kim

“What legacy will you leave for the next generation Badgers, and where will you take the torch of the Wisconsin Idea?” asked student speaker Jada Kline. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Photo of student wearing a mortarboard that says "Be bold."

Graduates expressed their pride and creativity on the mortarboards. Photo by: Hyunsoo Léo Kim

Keynote speakers Adam Horowitz '94, left, and Eddy Kitsis '93, a top Hollywood writing and producing team, kept the audience laughing. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Chancellor Rebecca Blank shakes hands with a graduate. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Chancellor's Scholars Cathryn Phouybanhdyt, left, and Joann Huynh show off their diploma covers. Photo by: Jeff Miller

At the chancellor's urging, graduates pose for a selfie. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Director Mike Leckrone leads the Varsity Band. Photo by: Hyunsoo Léo Kim

Kline joins with campus leaders for the traditional closing song. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Photo of graduates singing "Varsity" at the ceremony's end.

Graduates sing "Varsity" at the ceremony's end. Photo by: Hyunsoo Léo Kim

Members of Alpha Phi Alpha perform a stroll in honor of graduate Keven Stonewall, at right of center. Photo by: Jeff Miller

Chancellor Rebecca Blank applauds. Photo by: Jeff Miller

One graduate walked the stage 50 years after earning his doctorate. Luciano Barraza completed his Ph.D. in agricultural economics in 1967 but was unable to take part in commencement. Earlier this year, his grandson Raul Correa reached out to the university to remedy what Barraza called his one regret in life.

Photo of Jeremy Foltz, chair of the department of agricultural economics, putting on a doctoral hood to Luciano Barraza, right, at the University Club Sunday before the ceremony.

Jeremy Foltz, chair of the department of agricultural economics, puts on a doctoral hood to Luciano Barraza, right, at the University Club Sunday before the ceremony. Photo by: Hyunsoo Léo Kim

Photo of Barraza, his wife, Martha, and granddaughter Luz Andrea Correa, center, talking to family members who could not attend the ceremony.

Barraza, his wife, Martha, and granddaughter Luz Andrea Correa, center, talk to family members who could not attend the ceremony. Photo by: Hyunsoo Léo Kim