Dear Class of 2020

To our Gabe (Van de Sande)

You rock! We are proud of you for getting to the finish line with courage and dignity! Wishing you and your classmates a great finish and a greater start of a new chapter. Counting on you all to change this world!

We love you endlessly Gabe, and can't wait to have you back home!

Mom, Dad, Dani

Congratulations on your achievement, and especially on having demonstrated resilience during difficult times. I am sure that you have surprised yourself by being stronger and more capable than you knew you could be. This is a milestone moment and the beginning of something new for you. Know that you take with you everything you've learned and the essence of UCSC: the courage to think and act independently and the intellectual confidence to try new things. You can trust your curiosity and spirit of adventure to create a professional life that will be fulfilling for you and impactful in the world. Generations of alumni have done the same. Best of luck.

Paige Carlson

We are so very proud of all your accomplishments these four years at University California Santa Cruz.

Your double majors and tireless hours to achieve this has been remarkable. We are excited to see your continued future successes. We love you

Congratulations 2020 graduates 🎓 I would like to especially acknowledge my daughter Kayla Paterson!! You have overcome and persevered through so much the last 4 years. The last few weeks you have impressed me with your attitude and resilience to take on such major changes and disruption in your life. I know that you will succeed in the next chapter of your life. I'm beyond proud of you. You did it now let's celebrate 👩🏻‍🎓🎉💕Love Mom

#RACHELCARSON #CLASSOF2020

To the class of 2020: We know how disappointed you must be about how this academic year is ending. You deserve to have those bittersweet final experiences on campus, and I wish it was safe for you to have them. No matter what's happening in the world, you should be so proud of your accomplishments -- you're a COLLEGE GRADUATE! We are all so proud of you for not only reaching this milestone, but achieving it in such difficult circumstances. I'm proud to welcome you to the UCSC alumni family, and I know you will be part of finding solutions to this pandemic and helping our campus and the rest of the world move forward. I can't wait to see what you do next!

Dearest Brookelz;

We will ALWAYS fondly recall your time as a forest dwelling life-learner. We know that it was a wacky, sometimes heartbreaking journey. We also know Cowell College and UCSC has allowed a quiet self-confidence to blossom as you followed a dream towards the future.

Most importantly - as your journey continues you can recount all those moments when your resilience and determination shepherded you towards this milestone - Graduation!!! Keep stepping-up towards the next, right, action of love; keep trusting the need to slow-down for a walk among the slugs and the ferns - to nurture your body, MIND, soul and spirit.

We pray that your career becomes a progressive expression of a deep and abiding love for your community. We are grateful and proud of the content of your character and the beauty of your being!!! #SlugLIFEforever #youDIDit!!!

Congrats Juan!!! So happy for you 🎉🎉🎉

From: Valerie

Andrew A. Alfaro,

We have had a knot in our throats for a month seeing our envisioned dream of graduation dwindle. Holding back tears every quarter as we wished you the best of luck, then safely releasing every tear as your car turned the corner. As the countdown expires, the tears become more about anticipation, excitement, gratitude, pride, celebration and joy! Son, you have made us incredibly PROUD! Congratulations 🎈🍾 miijo, you are an exceptional young man and will go very far regardless of today’s obstacles. Can’t wait to celebrate you Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering! 💙

Congrats Juan!! So happy for you 🎉🎉🎉

Congratulations to David Li. We are proud for you.

Congratulations to all 2020 graduates in UC Santa Cruz.

From David Li’s family.

Congrats Juan Marquez! So proud of the work you’ve put in, congrats on graduating! So excited for you to see what’s next :)

Congratulations, you did it Class of 2020! What an accomplishment, you should take pride in not only reaching this momentous occasion, but in your resiliency as well. Wishing you all the very best as you begin your post-graduation journeys!

Congratulations Class of 2020! You are navigating through some tough times and you have made it this far! Keep your chin up and keep hustling onto your next adventure! Congratulations on all you have accomplished while at UCSC! Go Slugs!

Tyler congratulations we are so proud of you and your accomplishments. Way to go. Best of luck as you start the next chapter of your life. We Lov you. Unt, Uncle Mo, Jayde, Dakota, and Sopia

Nick, We are proud of what you have accomplished and the person you have become. The next adventure is yours for the taking. Congratulations to you and the entire class of 2020!

We are so proud of our Kappa Zeta sisters graduating! We love you!

Congratulations my Baby J!!

I always knew you were destined for greatness from the day you set out to go to school and this is another example of that. I’m one very proud Mama to see you achieve this milestone.

I thank you for all your hard work. The sky is your limit.

We still remember the time when we sent John to UCSC for registration four years ago. He placed his beloved things including the camera neatly in the dorm, then he couldn't wait to get away from us and flied freely like a bird. For 4 years, John has been sharing with us the photos and videos that he took. His sliding and cycling in between the forest, the sea and the grassland lets us take a full view of the beautiful scenery of Santa Cruz. We are so glad that he has spent 4 years happily in the school. Now he successfully completed the undergraduate study of electronic engineering. He has not only studied theoretical knowledge but also accumulated project experience. His team’s competition-winning robot was the result of the collaborative effort between electrical, mechanical and computer engineers. We are so proud of them! This year's pandemic is an unprecedented challenge for 2020 graduates. Congratulations to those graduates who are preparing to take the next journey, and best wishes to those who are still struggling to find goals and directions for the next journey. May there be love in your heart forever, and hold this love in your hands, living happily around it every day. Go, 2020 Banana Slugs!

Congratulations to the Class of 2020!! I’m so proud of my son for graduating from UC Santa Cruz. Son, your years at Santa Cruz have given you such a great experience and an adventure. I wish you the best in the next chapter of your life and hope you that accomplish all and any goal you set forth in the future. Carlos, I wish nothing but for you to continue on the right path!! I love you son! Congratulations!! You are my favorite banana slug!! 👨🏼‍🎓👍🏼👏🏼😘

While a graduation ceremony can be cancelled, the experience, memories and DEGREES (!) that were earned in the process can’t be. The best is yet to come!

• Megan Reilly-Dreas, Porter College ‘13

I am currently the parent of a sophomore slug but back in 1994 my fellow slugs including my future husband and I graduated. I loved my time at ucsc and am so glad my son has too. But graduation? Graduation was abysmally hot in the Quarry. I was an Environmental Studies major and our speaker was a dam maker and it was really hot and too exposed and it was all translated line for line so it took twice as long so it was boring and in two languages. So please don’t lament missing graduation. May you find a place of beauty and love to share your sense of accomplishment with a ceremony of your own making for you are on the precipice of a life for which you will need to write your own script. May your ceremony have pride, wonder and love.

Congratulations to our amazing daughter Jasmine D Franco! We are so Mega proud of you!!

Congratulations Wolfie! I am so proud of you and this huge accomplishment. It took a lot of work to get this far and I know there’s more to look forward to. Love you!

Congratulations to my amazing daughter, Morgan Lanyon. Words cannot express how proud I am of you and all you have accomplished. Enjoy every accolade...you deserve it! Love, Mom

Congratulations to my amazing daughter , Carli Smith , who is graduating from Kresge College in the Astro Physics Department . What a journey the past 4 years has been for you and how much you’ve grown , discovering your love for Physics . I would also like to congratulate all of her classmates in the department for their amazing achievements as well as their future endeavors . I am so very proud of you !

Congrats Class of 2020!! What an experience to get educated at such a great school, in such an inspiring environment, with classmates, professors and friends that will leave a lasting impact on your life for years to come. I hope you take the lessons you’ve learned in and out of the lecture hall, the passions, interests and skills you’ve started to cultivate and go after your goals with curiosity, willingness to ask questions and ask for help, and a commitment to fun along the way. There is a Japanese concept called ikigai, essentially means “reason for being” that is a nice example of how you might be inspired to finding purpose in your unique journey through your career and continued learning adventure. Excited to see how you change the world!

Felicidades Rafita estoy muy orgullosa de todos tus triunfos te deseo lo mejor del mundo un abrazo 🤗 grande 😘😘

Aveces lloraron, aveces dudaron, pero nunca se rajaron. Felicidades clase del 2020

The best still to come for you, 2020 Slugs! Go out in the world and make it better!

To our son, Jacob Michael Terry, and all the graduating seniors, CONGRATULATIONS! We see you, we appreciate you, and we’re proud of you! While this is not the graduation you hoped for, this situation does not diminish your years of hard work, perseverance, and determination. Jacob, you are graduating as a MCD biologist, continuing on to your masters, and medical school. You have received a phenomenal education and life experience at UCSC. We have watched you grow so much these past four years, and could not possibly be more proud of you. We celebrate you and we love you! More than you’ll ever know! Love, Mom & Dad

2020 although has been a challenging year but all of you are graduating with your head held so high. Imagine you are graduating during a pandemic!! You did it!! all of us are so incredibly proud of each and everyone one of you, including our daughter Julie. I know you will come out so much stronger, and your outlook on life will be so much brighter. For you undergrads, do look forward for your grad or PHD graduation, it will be this much better!! Congratulations Class of 2020!! You really did it!!

Hey Zach, congratulations on your graduation. Now starts life that brings both challenges and amazing adventures. May you enjoy the adventures and beat the challenges. I'm so proud of you. Love, Aunt Mimi

Way to go Wolfie!!! You make us all so proud ❤️❤️❤️❤️

The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity & his ability to affect those around him positively.

• Bob Marley

Congratulations! You're all amazing.

You have worked so hard and come so far this setback is not permanent. It cannot stop you. You can still reach you dreams. Don’t give up. We are cheering for you! Dare to dream big.

Congrats Wolfie! You have been such a huge inspiration to me and I am so proud of you for graduating college! Love you!

Dear grads,

What a wild senior year, but you did it. Take those degrees, do great things and eat the rich. #cola4all

Congrats UCSC 🎓2020 Class. You are now ready to contribute and success in our Society. 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳❤️❤️❤️❤️

Congratulations Pablo,

We are extremely happy for you and your family. May God continue to Bless you.

Words can’t express how proud I am of you. I’ve been blessed to watch you graduate kindergarten, middle school, high school and now College! You’re truly a blessing to us and this planet, I can’t wait to see all that you accomplish in your life.

Love you always,

Totie

Congratulations to each of you! While it may feel different than what you imagined, you did it! You really did it!! The world needs your wonder and your eagerness and your resilience. While the ceremony and closure are special, and indeed a loss, no virus, no school closures, nothing can take away what you've learned, gained, accomplished. You will carry that with you always.

Congratulations my fellow slug alumni! Wishing you all the best as in your next chapter. Don’t worry if you have no idea what you want to do now, as I didn’t either after graduating. Everything works out im the end. Enjoy your well-deserved time off this summer. Congrats again.

Thank you for the laughter, the memories, and the activism. The hope, the love, and the support we share will never be forgotten.

Congratulations to all of Class 2020! Well done!

Special congrats to Jonne Kaunisto for all your accomplishment and good luck to whatever life brings you next! Wohoo! We are so proud of you!

• Äiti & Tero

Congratulations on your incredible achievement. Go forth and be awesome!

To the class that is unstoppable,

You didn’t let a world-wide pandemic keep you from graduating. Now let the job hunting begin. We are so proud of our daughter Alex, and her friends for finishing strong. The world once again changed and you adapted but kept on going. You have fight in your blood and a brain that is focused but adapts along the way. The world is yours to change and we are very proud of you!

Congratulations Pablo Alvarez! You did it!!

You have no idea how proud I am of you and your accomplishments! When you desire something with all your heart, you can accomplish it, and here are the results! Good luck in the next chapter at UCLA!!

Love you so much ❤️❤️MOM

Congratulations Danielle Fitzwater!! We are so proud of you, can't wait to see where the future takes you!

I hope you all make it.

If you have to sleep in your car go some place warm. Trust your gut feelings. If the situation doesn't seem right it probably isn't.

Congratulations. You keep on making us very proud. We are looking forward to what the next chapter has in store for you. God bless you always. We love you!!!!

Congratulations Jules, we are so proud of you - May your graduation be the beginning of many more wonderful achievement in your life - We love you son

Felicidades 🎉 en tu gran logro se que llegaras muy lejos soo proud of you Amo ser Tú Mamá Naomi Bucio..,Class of 2020...

Congrats to all the graduates and slugs of 2020 - We welcome you into the job market and world after paradise in Santa Cruz with open arms !

Congratulations Class of 2020! You've worked very hard to get to this point. May you be proud of all of your accomplishments. Best wishes as you begin to travel on a new path through your journey of life.

Congratulations! You have achieved a great milestone in your life. And you have the greatest skill of all — the ability to learn anything you want. Always be curious, learn every day, and the rest will take care itself. I wish you all the best in life.

Congratulations Naomi! I'm so proud of your accomplishments and the woman you have become. We are all so happy that you’ve achieved this great milestone – Wishing you great success with your dreams and career!

-Love

Louie

Wooo congrats!!!! I know you’ll go far in life and i can’t wait to see what you become!

Congratulations on your graduation and best wishes for your next Adventure!.You SHINE!!

Congratulations UCSC Class of 2020! Amidst these uncertain and challenging times, remember all that you have learned and gained from your UCSC experience and share your passions with the world. Better days are ahead, just take it one step at a time.

Congratulations on your graduation and best wishes for your next Adventure!. You SHINE!!

Congratulations on your graduation and best wishes for your next Adventure!. You SHINE!!

I love you more than air! I am beyond proud of your hard work to get to this point. A graduate at 20?!?!?!!! And with honors! You are so loved and respected. Who knows where you’ll go from here. Whatever it is...I can’t wait! XO Ma 😘

Congratulations to all you graduates! You should all be so proud of yourselves! Go out and do great things in this world!

Caps off to you all!

Congratulations KT! So much hard work and perseverance brought you to this time and place. We love you and support you! May the future be filled with goodness and joy. Love, The Dombro’s

CONGRATULATIONS to my Beautiful, amazing, special Niece KT Fortner! We are so very proud of you. Love you to the moon and back. Xoxoxo

Aunt Bonnie, Uncle Steve and Miranda

Wolfie! I am so proud of you and who you have become. You have worked very hard in life, education and humanity. You have taught your mother and I so much about the world as it is today and made us better people because of it. I cant wait to see what you contribute to the future of this planet and its people. I love you so much, Dad.

You did it! This is just the beginning of your incredible adventure. Shine bright, keep going, share with others and always speak your truth. You are already a HUGE inspiration to others.

Congratulations dear Jared Semana and to your Class of 2020 ! Wish you luck in all your endeavors. May you be a blessing & inspiration in your own field.

Shoutout to porter dining hall lol

Congratulations to all 2020 graduates specially to Marissa Salamat!!! You deserve to celebrate your successes and all the hard work. What an achievement. Best wishes to your future, follow your dream. Love Mom and Dad

Congratulations to us! Even though Covid-19 has made things difficult and some of us may not find a job or career right after graduating, we should stay untied and support one another into our next journey, weather it may be; graduate school, starting a career or family, we have the power to anything our minds desire. This isn't good bye. But a see a you later as with social media will always be connected, so it's never a good bye. UCSC I will still be waitng for my in person physical commencement in the fall (I hope)! Lol I still want to walk along with of my friends! Once again Congratulations slugs of 2020, we did it! Heray!

Congratulations to all the graduates!

You made your parents, families and friends proud. This is just the beginning of a new journey. Keep dreaming, keep learning and live your lives to the fullest!

To my nephew Josh, I am so proud of you!

Congratulations, Graduates! I know how much hardwork and dedication that went into getting to this point. I am so proud and excited for your next steps. I hope you are able to truly celebrate yourself and your accomplishments.

Congratulations class of 2020 ! You guys are an inspiration. You are all hard working, intelligent and strong. PROUD TO BE A FELLOW SLUG.

Graduates of UCSC 2020 class. This has been a unique year for you all and that you’ve attained this momentous milestone is a testament to your ability to overcome obstacles to achieve your goals. We’re reminded of an old quote from Henry David Thoreau saying “If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he (or she) has imagined, he (or she) will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” You’ve already begun your journey. Congratulations to you all, Tom and Willa Mann

Class of 2020 - the History Makers!

Take your amazing, resolute and unflappable selves out into the world and do good, be kind and amaze yourselves like you’ve done us!

Congratulations Slugs!

Class of 2020, you are the defining members of society now. You will innovate and shape the future. Be courageous in your endeavors, lead with kindness and don't forget to take breaks - some of the best creativity comes when you do nothing. Best of luck slugs!

CONGRATS CLASS OF 2020!!!

To my dear friends, Hermanas and Hermanos, I am so proud of you and what you accomplished! YOU did this for your community and I could not be more honored to know you. We will celebrate!!!

A mis queridas Mejicas, I love you all and I am so sad that your last performance was taken from you. It has been so amazing to see you grow as dancers, leaders and scholars. You may not walk across that stage but may you always dance. Sigue adelante Arlene, Bianca, Emily, Erimar, Jeovana, Leslie, Lleymi, Nina, Pablo y Will! Once a Mejica, ALWAYS a Mejica!

Congratulations, Loren, on reaching graduation. We are so proud of your achievements and the determination you’ve shown in accomplishing those goals. We are prouder still of the strong and capable young man you’ve become. It has brought us great joy knowing you and we’re certain you’ll achieve whatever you set your mind to. We love you so much, Love, Granny and Grandpa

Congratulations to our granddaughter, Taylor Stephenson! Nana and Papa are extremely proud of you, and look forward to where your degree will take you in life. We love you!

As an alum who graduated in the last recession, you are not alone! Your journey may not go as planned, and the next few years may be more difficult than they would have been, but UCSC has given you the tools you need to adapt and pursue your passions. And, you've got the Slug community here to support you at every turn, so don't hesitate to reach out and seek support. Fiat Slug!

Dear Anjuli-

It is hard to believe 4 years have passed since you started at UCSC. We are so thrilled that you fully embraced your college experience by taking advantage of undergrad research, semester abroad in Edinburgh, being a teaching assistant, and field study. Way to go!!!! We look forward to seeing what the next 4 years bring!

Mom and Dad

Porter C/O 2016 here! Congrats on graduating! I know this is a weird time, but y'all really did that! Also shout out especially to my first-gen students and QTPOC fam, I see you and you did the damn thing, so proud of you! Hopefully celebrations will happen on your own terms. Stay safe and healthy!

Congrats Class of 2020!

UCSC Career Success Team

Hey class of 2020. I just wanted to say even with all the bullshit that's happened this year you still managed to graduate. Props to you guys. Y'all are truly inspirational to all the other students here trying to do the same. Good luck out there.

Best,

H.

Congratulations Class of 2020!! Keep your heads up! These are very difficult times but you have the power to change all of this! You are our future! Use this experience in a positive way and what we can do to improve ourselves as human beings! Let’s come together and make the world a better place! I’m so proud of this class and my daughter Destiny Negrete! First generation graduate! You broke the mold baby! Love you!!!

Congrats to my niece NAOMI BUCIO !!!

We love you ...♥️♥️♥️

Congratulations Naomi, Suzi & Gaby! The hard work always pays off. Never any doubt that you three will be headed to greatness . You’ve made your friends family and the RAZA proud today. Love you guys 🙏🏽❤️

We did it, y'all!!! We are the class that continued to persevere, even during a pandemic. I know the future may be unclear at this time, but you all have the will to push forward and make it work. There is no class like ours, our resiliency is unstoppable! I wish your futures to become whatever you manifest. Much love to all my peers.

Congratulations, class of 2020! A word of advice from Neil Gaiman: "Now go, and make interesting mistakes, make amazing mistakes, make glorious and fantastic mistakes. Break rules. Leave the world more interesting for you being here. Make good art."

Congratulations, Monica!!! I am very proud of your accomplishments and graduation. Wishing you the best on your journey after graduation! Love you always, Mom

To the class of 2020, your Senior year has been one filled with a number of challenges and adversities. But you did it! You succeeded! Congratulations and may you all have much success in all that you do.

Congratulations Class of 2020 (especially James, Keith, Andrew, Axel, and Sarthy). I wish we were with you to celebrate, but please know we are cheering for you on your graduation day!

Nothing can minimize your accomplishments (not even a pandemic)! Congrats to our graduating senior, Taylor Bartosh and to the entire Class of 2020!

Congratulations Cole! Even though graduation looks different for you, the achievement is still the same. You've put in the hard work and dedication to achieve this goal. Always remember that there's no limit to what you can do if you keep believing in yourself. Hope you know how proud we are and how much we love you!

Congratulations to my son, Neil Sprenkel, for his dedication, hard work, and for hanging in there till the end and getting your degree. I am so proud of you and wish you all the best in the years to come. Much love, Mom

You have been through a lot dear class of 2020, particularly this past year--and you made it to the light! This just shows what strength you all have. Thank you for allowing us to have the pleasure to be a part of your lives, especially the roommates of Renee Taylor. You are wonderful young people. Enjoy finding yourselves throughout your lives--it's a wonderful endeavor! Renee, your we are so very proud of you. You are truly blessed--smart, energetic, kind, giving, beautiful, honest... Keep going my love--We love you! mom and dad

Thank you UCSC for giving our daughter a great education. Congratulations class of 2020.

Gabby's parents

Congratulations to Gavin Haight

Jack Baskin School of Engineering

Class of 2020

To new beginnings....make it anything you want. Contratulations Class of 2020!!!!!!

Dear Christy,

Congratulations on your graduation! It has been a long journey! Your hard work and determination had finally paid off. You did it! As you embark upon your next adventure we wish you all success in life! We are so proud of you and love you always!

Dad & Mom

Congratulations Alexis!

This is but the beginning of your journey , which started at UC Santa Cruz four years ago. It was time well spent, as you will soon find your life's passion, on the road ahead......we are all very proud of you and your accomplishments! Alexis Thomas, Environmental Studies and Biology Major UCSC Class of 2020! <3 Mom, Dad and Charles

Thank you to all involved that helped make my daughters' 4 years at UCSC a memorable and educational experience!

Loren Tolley,

We are beyond proud of your achievements. Your smile and boundless energy make the world a better place. All our love, Mom, Dad, and Sophia

CONGRATULATIONS FARRAH! We are so proud to see our princess completing her graduation and we are so excited to see what comes next! After a long and, at times, difficult journey, your hard work has already been recognized and we know that a bright future is waiting ahead for you. We love you and wish you all the success and happiness the world has to offer. It was our lifelong dream to see the day that both of our daughters graduate from college, and today, you fulfilled that dream for us. As you step through the door to new opportunities, we are here to support you every step of the way however we can. We know that your natural talent, hard work ethic, perseverance, and excellent writing skills will take you far in life and we wish you a very successful journey. No matter where you go, what you do, or where your path takes you, you have made us so incredibly proud with all that you have achieved in these short 4 years, and this feeling is something we will hold dear in our hearts forever. We love you so much and we can’t wait to see you! Congratulations!

Love,

Dad, Mom, Tabby, and Auntie Zainab

Congratulations Delaney on your major accomplishment! As a fellow slug and parent I am so proud of you!Wishing you success and happiness in your future endeavors. Love, Dad

Congratulations everyone!

Congratulations Nicholas Yung!

Congrats Jared!!!

Congratulations Jared!

Congratulations Jared Semana and to the entire class of 2020!

You are the strong, resilient class we will all remember. Congratulations Class of 2020! As you graduate think about the great accomplishments and memories you created on this beautiful campus. Once a banana slug, always a banana slug!

JUNUS family video to congratulate nicholas yung !!!!

Congratulations and best wishes to the Class of 2020. You did it, despite the unique challenges and difficulties of this year. May you persevere in following your passion, know peace and joy, and embrace opportunities that interest you.

Class of 2020 you did it! You are our hope for the future, you will do great things!

Congrats Loren! We are all really proud of you.

Jeannette Peters—Congratulations Graduate! Your hard work and perseverance have paid off. Here's to all of the new and exciting experiences ahead as you begin your graduate program at UCSC! Enjoy your new life together with Logan. Love, Anne and Drew

IN THE TIME OF CORONAVIRUS—CONGRATULATIONS! to the CLASS of 2020 from a "Pioneer Class" Graduate - class of 1969.

When the freshmen class arrived at Cowell in 1965, UCSC was literally and figuratively under construction. The college experience was NOT TYPICAL!

But rather than miss the TYPICAL, the students embraced real life lessons in "Adaptive Thinking". It was a gift.

As a class you're united, both by your year 2020, and by sharing YOUR final assignment: Adaptive Thinking 101: meeting challenge with creativity.

May you and your loved ones stay safe, well, and be ready for that one-of-a-kind, belated, Real Time Graduation Ceremony!

Congratulations to the class of 2020, I hope you all go out and change the world for the better, read a lot of books, and start the new society we need with proliferate gardens and tiktok implants.

Although our daughter, Katie Hennessy, will not be walking like a traditional graduate, we are still so proud of all she has done and been through in her quest for a degree. Katie is a strong, smart and beautiful woman! Watch out world because here she comes. We look forward to watching her grow into an amazing adult who will bring her strength and determination to a world who could use it right now. We wish her luck in all her adventures and want her to know we are here to support and encourage her. Love mom and dad :)

Congratulations, class of 2020! Your tenacity, adaptability and resilience will serve you well. You have succeeded through challenges big and small.

Dear class of 2020,

Just before I was about to begin my final year at UCSC, 9/11 came and brought so much fear and uncertainty to our world. I remember sitting in my apartment on Ocean St. with my roommates on that day staring at the tv and feeling shock and sadness for the number of lives lost. Nothing was ever the same after that day.

To think that the Coronavirus has taken so much more is like living that one day over and over again. However, it hasn't taken away your hard work or the memories you've made at UCSC. While you can't celebrate with a formal ceremony, I hope that you take an opportunity to celebrate on your own. In fact, I hope that you make it a point to do this throughout your life for all of your accomplishments. It's such a small act of self care and while we will get through our current situation, there will be other challenging - and happy - times ahead. Always celebrate when you get through them all as a better person.

Congratulations on such a wonderful accomplishment. This moment in time doesn't make it any less extraordinary. Now go out there and make a difference. The world needs you right now.

Congratulations my dear son. You make me very proud to have a son like you. Thank you Papa.

Congratulations on your accomplishment. Wish your everlasting success.

Congratulations Jared Semana Class of 2020!! We are very proud of you and your accomplishment. God Bless and be safe .

Congratulations to you all! I am proud to be a Slug and you should know that your connections made during your academic career and fellow alumni before you will always look out for your best! Go impact the world for good! Don't seek fame in the world but seek fame in your communities of influence, fame for being humble, generous, loving and truthful in the face of difficulty and a society that does not always value those ideals.

Dear Son Jared Michael Semana,

A hearty congratulation on your graduation and wishing you good luck for the new beginning in life. May you reach all your goals. Congratulations Son!

Congratulations Class of 2020!!! I know this is not the way you expected to graduate but if there is anything I can say is that the experiences and memories you made

at UCSC are far more memorable and they will forever stay in your heart. Be proud of yourself for this great accomplishment and I hope you all continue to accomplish your goals, but please take a breather before you do 😅

Class of 2020: While this is not the finale of your time at UC Santa Cruz that you imagined when you started out, it will hopefully offer you a unique perspective of this moment in human history and a special solidarity among all those graduating with you around the world this year. What you've accomplished is no less impressive just because its conclusion is not typical - in fact, it may be that much more extraordinary. Your identity as a UCSC graduate will be with you from this time forward. Congratulations from a fellow alum!

Congratulations and Best of luck to the graduates of UC-Santa Cruz Class of 2020, your handwork paid off.

Congrats cheyenne on graduating from college. Love you cousin

Congrats to the graduates of 2020! Its been ten years since I graduated during an economic downturn and had trouble finding a job that matched my qualifications for many years. Regardless, no matter what you do someone is always watching! I ended up getting a great promotion through years of dedication and selfless work, because somebody noticed! Don't ever get discouraged and you will find success!

Congratulations Loren Tolley! We are all so proud of you and you’re accomplishments. We always knew you were smart and a hard worker. But the thing that’s impressed us the most is what a good person you are. Thanks for being a great role model for your cousin. We love you!

The Kaufmann’s

Logan Grady: Congratulations, you did it! You turned your 4 years at UCSC into an amazing adventure! We're incredibly proud of your accomplishments. Good luck at Moss Landing Marine Labs. Here's to all of the wonderful adventures that lie ahead! Love, Mom and Drew

Chey,

G.G!

Don't forget us! -

As a career counselor, I always tell my clients to be prepared for anything, but you are graduating during such a time. Two thoughts: always strive to be of service, and remember that a job does not define you. Happiness and humility matter the most. I have attached my grad pic from Stevenson class of 1992. Best of luck!

Cheyenne, I am so proud to see how hard you have worked to accomplish so much! Considering many natural disasters that have been going on, you didn't let these things stop you from moving forward with your dreams. I can't wait to see what type of major career you will start off with! Congrats to class of 2020!!!👩‍🎓👨‍🎓

Chey, I am very proud of you. Continue reaching your goals. I wish you the very best. With love grandma

Chey- congrats you did it my amazing sister even though at times you were stressed and overwhelmed like a normal human you did it i am so proud of you and i look up to you for being one of the strongest and hilarious women i know i love you!

Dear graduates! Sending you all a big congratulations for working so hard and making it through to the end. I graduated from UCSC a long time ago and all these years I've held with me not just memories but a picture in my mind of all the students after me in those woods, on those hills, brilliant professors and fresh air all around them. It's hard to think of it so quiet right now. We had our own campus sit-ins and dramas (good) and natural disasters (bad) but nothing like this. I'm hoping maybe this experience gives you get a better sense than I got at your age of what's really important in life--and that you can make sure to enjoy it and share your love and kindness all around. And meantime stay healthy and safe. Abrazos

Dear Class of 2020,

Amidst the chaotic situation present in the world right, it is my distinct pleasure to offer you my sincere congratulations for a strong finish to a very challenging year. While it seems the world may be looking the other way, I assure you, you are in my thoughts and those of many others. This message here is proof...I ignore most alumni emails if I am being honest...but this one hit me differently because I have been thinking about you all in the midst of this crisis; the missed opportunity for formative experiences (some of my fondest from UCSC were in my last quarter), the confusion, or perhaps the default apathy you were forced to take towards your education in light of bigger concerns. I just want you all to know that while I grew tremendously as a thinker, musician, and human being in my time at Santa Cruz, the most important growth I have experienced was a direct result of using that knowledge (or lack thereof) to navigate the world outside of University life. It is not always easy, but there are wonderful and fulfilling experiences ahead. I hope to remind everyone, if nothing else, not to lose sight of that. Keep your head up, and work towards the visions you developed for your life’s trajectory in the last few years...while maintaining an open mind towards new and unexpected turns. Sometimes these give way to the connecting factor that was never apparent all along, which makes it all work. You’ll understand what I mean in about 5 years!

All the best,

Zephyr Avalon B.A. Music, Philosophy

Porter, 2013

So proud of you Morgan Gammon. Wish you luck in your next step. Love you

You graduated, that’s something!

This class has had to overcome so much in their senior year, and though it hurts right now you will learn and grow from this in ways none of us can imagine. You will be a stronger class by far than those who came before or after you, myself included, and I look forward to seeing what you accomplish. Congratulations and goodluck!

What I remember most about UCSC is how much it prepared me to expect the unexpected in life. That lesson has served me so well over the past 25 years - particularly in times of uncertainty - like what we are facing now. Your commencement happens to coincide with the commencement of an unexplainable new way of living in the world. As a banana slug, you have been trained for this. Embrace the moments of despair, jubilation, confusion, hilarity, compassion, and inspiration that we are all experiencing right now and transform them into meaning. We need your ingenuity and resourcefulness in the world now, more than ever. In nature, banana slugs’ color is influenced by their diet and environment. Take in the world around you and let your brilliance shine. Congratulations class of 2020!

Onnea onnea onnea valmistumisen johdosta! Mummi Jorma ja Sissi

Yours will be the first graduating class to approach the future with unique 2020 vision.

Congratulations to Alicia and the entire class of 2020. Your hard work and perseverance through these challenging times have paid off. You did it! We are extremely proud.

To the graduates in MCD Biology:

Congratulations!!! Each and every one of you deserves to celebrate and to be proud of you accomplishments. I don't have to tell you that it's difficult times, but I have no doubt that you will achieve whatever goal you set for yourself next. Because, after all, finding solutions for difficult problems, through careful planning and systematic testing, is what we do as scientists.