UMass Amherst hosts 155th commencement with 20,000 attendees
AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) – Friday marked an important milestone in the lives of the 2025 UMass Amherst graduating class.
It was the start of three days of special events, celebrating the university's 155th commencement.
It was a proud moment for these graduates as they were recognized for their hard work and dedication over the years. Long lines of UMass Amherst graduates, dressed in their caps and gowns, made their way into McGuirk Alumni Stadium for the university's main commencement ceremony.
It was a day of many emotions, happiness for what's to come, and sadness for what's being left behind in Amherst. Olivia Nisenbaum, a finance major, told 22News, 'It's a little bittersweet, is what I've been saying to describe it because you know it's sad to be leaving, like we all had such a great time.'
Aidan McGovern, a 3rd-generation UMass grad, tells 22News he's grateful for the trials and triumphs, and the friends he could lean on during both. 'It's fun to do with all those guys, too. It's been a blast. I've known them for so long and grown a lot with them,' he says. A crowd of nearly 20-thousand family members, friends, and faculty gathered to cheer on their loved ones and witness this significant moment in their lives.
These graduates are ready to embark on their journey, equipped with the knowledge and skills gained from their education, and are eager to start their careers in various fields. One parent told us it's a full circle moment, with their son closing this chapter at UMass and beginning a new one with the NBA team, the Philadelphia 76ers, starting in sales.
'I think it's very exciting because then that learning journey continues, and I'm glad he's got a job in the field of his choice, which is sports,' says PR Ganapathy. 'Because then that means he's going to apply some of the stuff he's learned.' And on this momentous day, a big congratulations to all the graduates!
Throughout the weekend, senior recognition ceremonies will be taking place around campus, where graduates will be called on stage and be handed their degrees. More than 6,200 undergraduate students will be receiving degrees.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
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