Commencement speaker C.D. Mote, Jr., the president of the National Academy of Engineering, encouraged graduates to “break a rule every day” and work at the frontiers of their fields. Reeling off the names of innovators ranging from Google co-founder Larry Page to 18th century clockmaker John Harrison, Mote said, “These people refused to do what others expected of them.”
Student speaker Skyler Ferry, who earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, cited notables from Winnie the Pooh to John Wooden in offering a humorous and inspirational toast to his fellow graduates.
UCLA Engineering Dean Vijay K. Dhir urged graduates to thank their parents, families, friends and fellow students for helping them reach a major milestone. Dhir told graduates, “I have no doubt that you will play vital role in solving 21st century problems with creativity, with efficiency and with integrity.”
Civil and Environmental Engineering Associate Professor Scott Brandenberg served as faculty marshal.
In 2014-15 nearly 170 UCLA Engineering students earned their doctorates, more than 550 earned master’s degrees, and more than 780 earned Bachelor’s degrees.
Videos of the ceremony, including separate clips featuring the processional, keynote address, student speaker address, and the conferring of Ph.D.s, master’s degrees and bachelor’s degrees, can be found here.