Photos: UH Hilo 2015 Fall Commencement

Posted on December 22, 2015November 10, 2025 by Staff

A total of 290 degrees and certificates were awarded. Congratulations to UH Hilo’s Fall Graduates!

A graduate with many lei, with family and friends. — A graduate celebrates with family and friends after Commencement.

Photos by Bob Douglas/UH Hilo Stories.

2015 Fall Commencement at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo was held Dec. 19 on campus at the Vulcan Gymnasium.

Students petitioned for a total of 290 degrees and/or certificates from the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management (24) College of Arts and Sciences(217); College of Business and Economics (31); College of Pharmacy (1); and Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language (8). There were nine other candidates for post-graduate honors.

Sherry Menor-McNamara, the youngest and first female president and chief executive officer of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaiʻi, delivered the keynote address. Zachary Tman, a double major in anthropology and biology with a minor in chemistry, represented the class as student speaker.

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Opening Ceremonies

Group blowing shell trumpets. — Opening Ceremonies

Jackie Johnson in blue regalia at the podium.

Group, with some in regalia, some in kīhei, singing.

Group of faculty, admin, and students sing on dais.

UH Hilo Leadership & Faculty

Chancellor Straney at podium. — Chancellor Straney hosts Commencement.

Admin at the dais. — UH President David Lassner

VIPS on the dais. — UH Leadership & Keynote

Chancellor Straney in lei. — Chancellor Straney

Vice Chancellor in orchid lei at the podium. — Vice Chancellor Matt Platz

UH President at podium. — UH President Lassner

Vice Chancellor at podium. — Dean Farrah-Marie Gomes

Regent on the dais. — Regent Barry Mizuno

Dean at the podium. — Dean Randy Hirokawa

Faculty in regalia file in. — Chancellor Straney

Faculty file into venue. — Dean Krishna Dhir

Faculty in regalia enter venue. — Professor Pat Hart

Faculty enter the venue. — Professor Dan Brown

Keynote Speaker and Student Speaker

Chancellor at podium with keynote speaker. — Chancellor Straney welcomes keynote speaker Sherry Menor-McNamara to the stage.

Keynote at podium. — Keynote Sherry Menor-McNamara.

Student speaker at podium. — Student speaker Zachary Tman.

Commencement Ceremonies

Candidates in full regalia at their seats. — Happy candidates at 2015 Fall Commencement.

Candidates in purple sashes enter venue.

Candidate in white lei carries program while she enters venue.

Candidate with lei leans forward in his seat.

Candidate shoes diploma to the audience.

Candidate in purple sash awaits to receive his diploma.

Candidates in lei pauses as she exits the dais with her diploma.

Wide view shot of venue with candidates and audience.

Large group of candidates with their diplomas.

Candidate with her diploma while at her seat.

Candidate in blue sash with his diploma.

Candidate gives the shaka to his far right..

Mortarboard Communications

Hashtag DONE on top of mortarboard. — Hashtag DONE says it all.

Graduates with Family & Friends

Graduate in lei and head lei, with her parents and one other person. — A graduate with family.

Family of graduate with sign, "Congrats Josh."

Graduate in lei up to her ears, with family.

Two graduates with family and friends, athletic fields in background..

Graduate with family, holding a baby, athletics fields in background..

Photos by Bob Douglas, a local artist, photographer, and sometimes part-time student who volunteers his photography skills to the Office of the Chancellor and UH Hilo Stories.

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