UCLA 2015 Athletic Commencement

UCLA Bruins

This past Thursday evening, UCLA held its fourth annual graduation ceremony in Pauley Pavilion in honor of student-athletes graduating with the class of 2015. 134 seniors were recognized at this ceremony for their academic and athletic achievements.

Family and friends were invited to Pauley Pavilion to witness their graduates who graduated in Winter 2015, Spring 2015, and those who will graduate in Summer 2015 and Fall 2015. Jerry Neuheisel (football) and Kaitlin Ray (women’s tennis) both gave speeches at the commencement ceremony.

Many awards were presented last night:

Grady Howe (men’s soccer) and Kaitlin Ray (women’s tennis) were recognized as the UCLA Scholar-Athletes of the Year.

$3,000 Pac-12 Postgraduate Scholarships were awarded to Mike Woepse (track & field), Noelle Tarazona (swimming & diving), Dennis Mkrtchian (men’s tennis), and Chloe Kojima (rowing).

The Tom Hansen Conference medal was also awarded to Dennis Mkrtchian (men’s tennis), and Samantha Peszek (gymnastics). This recognition is awarded each year to one outstanding senior male and female student-athlete based on performance, athletics, scholarship achievement and leadership.

Being a student athlete is challenging. Not only is UCLA known for its amazing athletic achievements, but it is also one of the most academically challenging schools to attend. There are high expectations, lots of studying, and some stressful times, but the reward of graduating from a school like UCLA makes it all worth it.