Maxine Brackbill | Photo Editor / The Daily Orange

The Class of 2023 concludes their tenure at Syracuse University at the annual commencement ceremony. The JMA Wireless Dome filled with parents, family, friends, professors as they came alongside the graduates to celebrate their achievements.

Maxine Brackbill | Photo Editor / The Daily Orange

Heading to their seats, graduates wave to their families and friends. Anticipation built as the field filled with students.

Maxine Brackbill | Photo Editor / The Daily Orange

The Valedictorians, University Scholars and Class Marshals lead the Class of 2023 down the field. Simone Bellot, on the marshals, carried the university’s banners.

Maxine Brackbill | Photo Editor / The Daily Orange

Video cameras in the Dome captured graduates as they walked in and broadcast images on the big screens. Laughter and cheers filled the Dome from the stands as supporters echoed their enthusiasm.

Maxine Brackbill | Photo Editor / The Daily Orange

Bea González, the university mace bearer, enters the JMA Wireless Dome at the beginning of the ceremony. González previously served as dean of SU’s College of Professional Studies.

Maxine Brackbill | Photo Editor / The Daily Orange

Students pose for photo-ops before the ceremony proceedings begin. One student brought a 360-degree camera to capture commencement from every angle.

Maxine Brackbill | Photo Editor / The Daily Orange

Students adjusted the tassels on their graduation caps to signify their graduation. The Class of 2023 experienced the COVID-19 pandemic on their way to reach graduation.  

Maxine Brackbill | Photo Editor / The Daily Orange

Graduates from SU’s School of Visual and Performing Arts pose for a photo before taking their seats for the commencement ceremony. Their caps and gowns gleamed from the Dome’s lights and the flashes from their families' phone cameras.

Maxine Brackbill | Photo Editor / The Daily Orange

Chancellor and president of SU Kent Syverud and President of SUNY ESF Joanie Mahoney, president of SUNY ESF, address the graduates. Both leaders shared advice and sentimental messages for the graduates to take as they left college.

Maxine Brackbill | Photo Editor / The Daily Orange

Chelsea Brown, one of the 2023 University Scholars, speaks to her fellow graduating students at the ceremony. In her speech, she reflected on what SU meant to her, past and present.

Maxine Brackbill | Photo Editor / The Daily Orange

Donna Shalala, former United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, delivers the 2023 Commencement address. In her speech, she emphasized the individual impact each student can have on the world as long as they stay true to their voice.

Maxine Brackbill | Photo Editor / The Daily Orange

President Joe Biden surprises the class of 2023 with a virtual speech to congratulate the students on their success. Biden is an alum of SU’s School of Law.

Maxine Brackbill | Photo Editor / The Daily Orange

As commencement draws to a close, the Dome fills with swells of the sound of graduates singing the Alma Mater. The class of 2023 officially graduated.

Maxine Brackbill | Photo Editor / The Daily Orange

Orange flowers adorn the podium at the commencement ceremony. “You will always be orange,” Syverud said to graduates.