Photo Gallery Captures BU’s One-of-a-Kind 148th Commencement

Commencement 2021

Photo Gallery Captures BU’s One-of-a-Kind 148th Commencement

Dozens of photos record what it’s like to graduate in a pandemic

May 20, 2021
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Recording a Boston University Commencement in photos is a huge undertaking. But this year’s was a special challenge—two separate ceremonies, one in the morning for advanced degree candidates, another in the afternoon for bachelor’s degree grads, plus the annual Baccalaureate service in between the two, all with pandemic-mandated restrictions. 

BU staff photojournalists Cydney Scott and Jackie Ricciardi and a team of seven freelance photographers took an incredible 20,000-plus photos (no, that is not a typo) during BU’s 148th Commencement on Sunday, May 16. We’ve pulled 80 of the best capturing the day’s pomp, joy, and whimsy. Take a look.

Advanced Degree Commencement

Headshot of a woman graduating senior wearing her mortarbord cap and red BU ppe face mask.

Photo by Jake Belcher

Two pairs of graduating Advanced Degree Students hug each other at the 2021 BU Commencement ceremony for graduate students.

Photo by Jake Belcher

An African American student wearing his graduate cap and gown smiles during Commencment

Photo by Chris McIntosh

Fadie Coleman, School of Medicine assistant professor of medical sciences and education, stands while being awarded the Metcalf Award for Excellence in Teaching at the 2021 BU Commencement.

Photo by Chris McIntosh

Noubar Afeyan, co-founder of Moderna, addresses advanced degree graduating students during Boston University's 148th Commencement for graduate students.

Photo by Chris McIntosh

Noubar Afeyan, co-founder of Moderna, is adorned with an honorary stole while being awarded an honorary degree at Boston University's Commencement for advanced degrees.

Photo by Dave Green

A group of graduate students smile and pose for a photo during the advanced degree ceremony at BU's 2021 Commencement.

Photo by Melissa Ostrow

A view of the Nickerson Field digital scoreboard across several rows of seated graduates. The message on the scoreboard reads 'Congratulations Class of 2021. BU2021. Congratulations Graduates!'

Photo by Melissa Ostrow

3 graduating students wearing caps and gowns jumping in the air on Nickerson Field

Photo by Kelly Davidson

A group of graduating students pose for a photo and throw their graduation caps up in the air.

Photo by Kelly Davidson

3 women graduates wearing red robes with black and gold stoles photographed from behind with arms around each other's back.

Photo by Kelly Davidson

Elevated view of Commencement from the back of the stage while BU President Robert A. Brown speaks at the podium.

Photo by Kelly Davidson

BU band Majestic Brass perform a song from a perch overlooking Nickerson Field.

Photo by Kelly Davidson

Two graduating students pose for a photo. The man is dipping the woman as if dancing.

Photo by Colgan Johnson

A group of graduating doctoral students wearing black robes and octagonal mortarboards, pose for a photo and throw their caps in the air.

Photo by Colgan Johnson

A graduating student holds a sign above her head that says 'Proud Daughter of DOMINICAN Immigrants' during the BU Commencement ceremony for advanced degrees.

Photo by Colgan Johnson

An advanced degree graduate holds up his LEGO BU Graduate figure for the camera. The LEGO graduate is wearing red with black stole and black mortarboard cap.

Photo by Doug Levy

Boston University Facilities staff wipe down and sterilize seats on Nickerson Field in between Commencement ceremonies.

Photo by Jake Belcher

A graduate tosses her decorated mortarboard cap in the air on Nickerson Field during BU's 2021 Commencement. BU dorm buildings can be seen in the background.

Photo by Jake Belcher

Graduating doctoral students hold their hands in the air and cheer during BU's 148th Commencement.

Photo by Jake Belcher

A graduate wearing black mortarboard, red robe with black and gold stole, sunglasses and a PPE face covering that says 'Don't Go Viral' talks to another graduate on Nickerson Field.

Photo by Jake Belcher

A group of graduate students in red gowns with bright purple adornments pose for a selfie following the 2021 BU Commencement ceremony for advanced degrees.

Photo by Dave Green

Two African American students share a celebratory handshake following the advanced degrees ceremony at Boston University's 148th Commencement

Photo by Melissa Ostrow

A graduated senior shakes and sprays a bottle of champagne along Commonwealth Ave with her mother following BU's 2021 Commencment.

Photo by Jackie Ricciardi

A group of graduates hold their arms in the air and cheer during Commencement. The woman at the fron of the group is holiding a BU Graduate teddy bear with red mortarboard.

Photo by Jackie Ricciardi

Detail photo of a graduate's star-shaped sign that says 'The tassel was worth the hassle.'

Photo by Jackie Ricciardi

View of the stage and screen from behind seated students at the 2021 Commencement cermony for advanced degrees. Noubar Afeyan can be seen on the screens delivering his address.

Photo by Cydney Scott

An ASL interpreter signs the Commencement ceremony to Deaf graduates.

Photo by Cydney Scott

School of Law graduate Gaetano Mortillaro in his graduate cap and gown watches the 2021 BU Commencement ceremony for advanced degree students.

Photo by Cydney Scott

Baccalaureate

Catherine D’Amato addressing graduates from a podium

Photo by Jake Belcher

Graduating students in cap and gowns and attendees stand participating in the Marsh Chapel Baccalaureate Service during Boston University's 148th Commencement, Sunday, May 16, 2021.

Photo by Jake Belcher

View from behind the Marsh Chapel choir looking out into an otherwise empty Marsh Chapel as they perform during the 2021 Baccalaureate service at Boston University's 148th Commencement. The choir was separated from the location of the main service and broadcast by video as a social distancing measure.

Photo by Jake Belcher

View of the front stage of the 2021 Baccalaureate service during BU's 148th Commencement.

Photo by Jake Belcher

Bachelor’s Degree Commencement

Director of BU Student Health Services Judy Platt stands on the stage during the 2021 BU Commencement.

Photo by Chris McIntosh

J.R. Hipple, BU Alumni Council President raises his arms in victory from the podium during Boston University's 148th Commencement.

Photo by Chris McIntosh

Side view of student speaker Archelle Thelemaque addressing graduating seniors at the 2021 BU Commencment ceremony for undergraduate degrees.

Photo by Chris McIntosh

Dean of Marsh Chapel Robert Hill speaks at the podium during the Boston University Commencement for undergraduate degree students.

Photo by Chris McIntosh

Aerial view of graduating students and the stage on Nickerson Field during Boston University's 148th Commencement. Seats were spaced out as a social distancing measure.

Photo by Dave Green

Aerial view of Nickerson Field during the 2021 BU Commencement cermony for undergradate degrees. Only graduating students were allowed to attend the ceremony so students are visible on the field, but nobody is in the bleachers.

Photo by Dave Green

Silhouette of US Representative Ayanna Pressley against a blue sky as she delivers her address to graduating seniors at BU's 2021 Commencement for undergraduate degrees.

Photo by Jackie Ricciardi

US Representative Ayanna Pressley addresses graduating seniors from the podium on Nickerson Field during the 2021 BU Commencment for undergraduate degree students.

Photo by Chris McIntosh

US Representative in Congress Ayanna Pressley is adorned with a stole while being awarded an Honorary Degree during the 2021 BU Commencment ceremony on Nickerson Field.

Photo by Chris McIntosh

US Representative Ayanna Pressley holds the honorary degree awarded to her during the 2021 BU Commencment.

Photo by Melissa Ostrow

US Representative Ayanna Pressley gives a graduating BU student and elbow bump on Nickerson Field during BU's 2021 Commencment ceremony for undergraduates.

Photo by Chris McIntosh

Elevated view of Nickerson Field during the 2021 BU Commencement for undergraduate degrees looking directly center stage from the middle of the bleachers at the back of the field.

Photo by Kelly Davidson

A graduate wearing red robe with colored honor cords holds his hands in the air and cheers.

Photo by Doug Levy

A row of graduating students hold up individual letters that spell the name 'Archelle' during the student speaker address by Archelle Thelemaque at BU's 2021 Commencement.

Photo by Doug Levy

Two students at the back of a seating section celebrate and cheer during Boston University's 2021 Commencement for undergraduate degrees.

Photo by Melissa Ostrow

Steve Ramirez, College of Arts & Sciences assistant professor of psychological and brain sciences, is awarded the Metcalf Cup & Prize during BU's 148th Commencment.

Photo by Melissa Ostrow

The BU Commencement student singer performs from a perch covered with ivy overlooking Nickerson Field during the undergraduate degree ceremony.

Photo by Melissa Ostrow

6 graduating seniors wearing their grad caps and gowns walk towards the BU Commencement ceremony for undergrads, their red robes flowing out behind them.

Photo by Kelly Davidson

3 graduating seniors wearing graduation caps, gowns and PPE face coverings, lock arms around eachother and laugh during BU's 2021 Commencment ceremony for undergraduate degrees.

Photo by Kelly Davidson

A graduating student hugs a family member on Commonwealth Ave. outside of the BU Commencement ceremony.

Photo by Kelly Davidson

A graduating student wearing her red graduation robe gives a big hug to a younger family member.

Photo by Kelly Davidson

5 women graduates wearing graduation caps and gowns pose for a photo sitting on windowsill at Agganis Arena.

Photo by Colgan Johnson

A graduating student wearing a white pantsuit and red graduating gown smiles and holds her cap up in the air mid crowds of graduating students celebrating on Nickerson Field following BU's 2021 Commencement for undergraduate degrees.

Photo by Colgan Johnson

5 graduates wearing their black mortarbord caps smile for a photo.

Photo by Colgan Johnson

View of a decorated mortarboard that reads 'Dream it, Do it. Boston, Northwestern'

Photo by Doug Levy

A graduating student hits a beach ball up into the air among a section of many graduates during the 2021 BU Commencement.

Photo by Melissa Ostrow

Boston University President Robert A. Brown addresses graduates during BU's 148th Commencement.

Photo by Melissa Ostrow

A graduate is greeted and hugged by her family following Commencement.

Photo by Jake Belcher

Three graduates hold their friend sideways in the air for a photo on Nickerson Field

Photo by Jake Belcher

Graduates celebrate on the stage following the 2021 BU Commencement ceremony for undergradte degrees.

Photo by Jake Belcher

Graduates celebrate on the stage following the 2021 BU Commencement ceremony for undergradte degrees.

Photo by Jake Belcher

View of the screen next to the stage showing Dropkick Murphys performing a special set for BU Commencement.

Photo by Jake Belcher

Students flood the stage to celebrate following the 2021 BU Commencement ceremony for undergradte degrees.

Photo by Jake Belcher

4 graduates wrap their arms around each other and cheer posing for a photo following Commencement.

Photo by Jake Belcher

2 graduating students wearing cap and gown embrace in a big hug following Commencement

Photo by Doug Levy

Back view of a student whose robe says 'THANK YOU' (the O written as a heart) with many photos pinned to the back of the robe.

Photo by Jake Belcher

A graduate holds a child as they watch the undergraduate Commencement ceremony on Nickerson Field.

Photo by Jake Belcher

2 students stand on the podium surrounded by a group of graduates posing for a photo after students flooded the stage following Commencement.

Photo by Jackie Ricciardi

Graduates laugh during the 2021 BU Commencement ceremony.

Photo by Jackie Ricciardi

Detail photo of two graduates holding hands during Commencement.

Photo by Jackie Ricciardi

2 emotional graduates cry and hug following Commencement.

Photo by Jackie Ricciardi

A graduate stops to fix the mortarboard cap and hair of another graduate on the track at Nickerson Field during Commencement.

Photo by Jackie Ricciardi

A graduate wearing shorts beneath his robe has his legs and red BU Terrier socks exposed.

Photo by Cydney Scott

A group of graduates walk towards Commonwealth Ave following Commencement.

Photo by Cydney Scott

A group of graduates wearing caps and gowns flowing in the breeze walk up Commonwealth Ave towards Nickerson Field for the undergraduate Commencement ceremony.

Photo by Cydney Scott

Find more Commencement coverage here

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There are 5 comments on Photo Gallery Captures BU’s One-of-a-Kind 148th Commencement

  2. So the parents weren’t allowed anywhere near the graduation while some of the photos clearly show a bunch of students huddled together with no masks in site?

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  3. Just to ease CAS Faculty’s mind…..all the students and staff anywhere on the field for Commencement were required to have a negative covid test within the 72 hours prior to the ceremony. There were checkpoints to enter that verified it. There was no reasonable/manageable way to monitor that degree of covid free certainty with guests or parents…..meaning allowing them into the stadium could have resulted in a super spreader event and put Boston University students and employees at risk. We are so close to being able to resume more normalcy – taking undue risks at this point is not wise. Frankly, due to the way it was handled – it was probably the safest place to be in Boston on that day….which allowed some degree of enjoyment for the students that have been on campus and wearing masks most of the semester. It was wonderful to see such joy after all this struggle.

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  4. I was at the commencement ceremony, graduated class of 2021, i was wondering how to access all the photos that were taken at this even. Thanks

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