Slideshow Photo gallery: Winter commencement 2019
Family and friends packed the Kohl Center on Dec. 15 to celebrate with 1,200 graduates taking part in winter commencement exercises.
![Photo of graduate carrying a flag.](https://news.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2019/12/Winter_Commence19_3720-1024x681.jpg)
Sarah Clifford, who earned a master's degree in public health, carries in a flag as part of the opening procession. Photo by: Bryce Richter
![Photo of Provost Karl Scholz bumping fists with a marshal.](https://news.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2019/12/Winter_Commence19_3747-1024x681.jpg)
Provost Karl Scholz bumps fists with a marshal. Photo by: Bryce Richter
![Photo from above of rows of seated graduates in caps and gowns.](https://news.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2019/12/Winter_Commence19_3816-1024x681.jpg)
More than 1,200 student walked the stage at the Kohl Center Sunday, receiving bachelor's, master's, professional and doctoral degrees. Photo by: Bryce Richter
![Photo of Jason Gay](https://news.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2019/12/Winter_Commence19_3859-1024x681.jpg)
Sports and humor columnist Jason Gay shared wisdom as well as jokes (many at the University of Michigan's expense). Photo by: Bryce Richter
![Photo of Lisa Kamal pointing toward the audience.](https://news.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2019/12/Winter_Commence19_3946-1024x681.jpg)
Student speaker Lisa Kamal acknowledges a friend in the audience. Photo by: Bryce Richter
![Photo of Chancellor Blank shaking a graduate's hand.](https://news.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2019/12/Winter_Commence19_4017-1024x681.jpg)
Chancellor Rebecca Blank congratulates a graduate. Photo by: Bryce Richter
![Aerial view of the Kohl Center showing the graduates and audience.](https://news.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2019/12/Winter_Commence19_3760-1024x681.jpg)
Nearly 7,400 people attended the ceremony, including about 1,200 graduates. Photo by: Bryce Richter
![Photo of a graduate holding her small black-and-white service dog and her diploma cover.](https://news.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2019/12/Winter_Commence19_3864-1024x681.jpg)
Catherine Palm, who earned a master's degree in cartography, and her service dog head back to their seat after walking the stage. Photo by: Bryce Richter
![Photo of Mya Quick waving to her family in the audience.](https://news.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2019/12/Winter_Commence19_4027-1024x681.jpg)
Graduate Mya Quick waves to her family in the audience. Photo by: Bryce Richter
![Photo of Chris Orr holding his diploma cover.](https://news.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2019/12/Winter_Commence19_3903-1024x681.jpg)
Chris Orr, an inside linebacker on the Badger football team, smiles after receiving his master's degree in educational leadership and policy analysis. Photo by: Bryce Richter
![Photo of a young woman graduate smiling.](https://news.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2019/12/Winter_Commence19_3924-1024x681.jpg)
A graduate enjoys the moment. Photo by: Bryce Richter
![Photo of graduate Brian Mays raising his arms in celebration.](https://news.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2019/12/Winter_Commence19_4109-1024x681.jpg)
Graduate Brian Mays celebrates. Photo by: Bryce Richter
![Photo of mortarboard with a cutout of Pokemon and the words "I caught a diploma."](https://news.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2019/12/Winter_Commencement19_3593-1024x681.jpg)
Mortarboards paid homage to Pokemon... Brian Huynh
![Photo of mortarboard with a photo of Stanley from "The Office" and the words "Better than Pretzel Day!"](https://news.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2019/12/Winter_Commencement19_3957-1024x681.jpg)
Stanley from "The Office" ... Brian Huynh
![Photo of a mortarboard with two crossed lightsabers and the words "The saga ends."](https://news.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2019/12/Winter_Commencement19_3644-1024x681.jpg)
"Star Wars" ... Brian Huynh
![Photo of a mortarboard with stickers of China's Great Wall and Forbidden City and the words "The world awaits."](https://news.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2019/12/Winter_Commencement19_3641-1024x681.jpg)
and the journey to come. Brian Huynh
![Photo of a father, mother and graduating daughter taking a selfie.](https://news.wisc.edu/content/uploads/2019/12/Winter_Commencement19_3953-1024x681.jpg)
A graduate takes a selfie with her family following the ceremony. Brian Huynh
Tags: campus life, commencement, students