This year’s Commencement exercises will take place on Sunday, May 21, in Hillside Theater. The processional begins at 8:45 a.m. followed by Commencement at 9:00 a.m.
The Occidental College community celebrates the Class of 2023 during Oxy’s 141st Commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 21, 2023 in Remsen Bird Hillside Theater.
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Professors and students walk toward Hillside Theater in the processional.
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An excited graduate enters Hillside Theater.
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Happy graduates on Commencement Day.
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Graduates assembled in Hillside Theater.
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President Elam confers a degree on a graduating senior.
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A proud parent hugs her graduating senior.
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A graduate proudly holds up her degree with her friends.
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Another proud graduate holds up their degree.
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Graduates laugh among falling confetti following the ceremony.
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Graduates stand among colorful confetti.
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Graduates pose in the Gilman Fountain, traditional for new graduates.
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A young woman helps her friend with her flower lei.
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Prizewinning author Isabel Wilkerson gives the Commencement address on the stage.
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Tim Sanford '75, left, receives an honorary degree on the Hillside Theater stage. The degree was conferred by Alan Freeman '66 M'67 P’91, right, Professor of Theater Emeritus and Occidental Trustee.
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Photos by Marc Campos, Occidental College Photographer & Videographer, and freelancer Sarahi Apaez.
News: Isabel Wilkerson Addresses Class of 2023 at Commencement
While the problems facing American can seem overwhelming, history shows us that we each have more power than we know—power that can change the course of history, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian Isabel Wilkerson told the Class of 2023.