University of Alaska Southeast Chancellor Richard Caulfield, second from right, congratulates a graduate during Sunday’s commencement ceremony at the UAS Recreation Center. UAS awarded 399 associate, bachelor and master’s degrees, 97 certificates and professional licensures, and 223 occupational endorsements this year. (Erin Laughlin | For the Juneau Empire)

University of Alaska Southeast Chancellor Richard Caulfield, second from right, congratulates a graduate during Sunday’s commencement ceremony at the UAS Recreation Center. UAS awarded 399 associate, bachelor and master’s degrees, 97 certificates and professional licensures, and 223 occupational endorsements this year. (Erin Laughlin | For the Juneau Empire)

Photos: UAS Commencement 2019

Congrats, grads!

The University of Alaska Southeast held its commencement ceremony at the UAS Recreation Center on Sunday, May 5, 2019. The school awarded 399 associate, bachelor and master’s degrees, 97 certificates and professional licensures, and 223 occupational endorsements.

Read more about the ceremony here: Former lieutenant governor to give speech at UAS commencement

Read more about this year’s student speaker here: Meet Nick Bursell, UAS student graduation speaker

All photos by Erin Laughlin, for the Juneau Empire.


• Erin Laughlin is a freelance photographer in Juneau.


Anna Christina Tafoya, right, graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Biology at the University of Alaska Southeast commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 5, 2019. (Erin Laughlin | For the Juneau Empire)

Anna Christina Tafoya, right, graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Biology at the University of Alaska Southeast commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 5, 2019. (Erin Laughlin | For the Juneau Empire)

A graduate’s hat at the University of Alaska Southeast commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 5, 2019. (Erin Laughlin | For the Juneau Empire)

A graduate’s hat at the University of Alaska Southeast commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 5, 2019. (Erin Laughlin | For the Juneau Empire)

University of Alaska Southeast’s commencement address speaker Valerie Nurr’araaluk Davidson enters the ceremony to Mt. Juneau Tlingit and Woosh.ji.een dancers on Sunday, May 5, 2019. (Erin Laughlin | For the Juneau Empire)

University of Alaska Southeast’s commencement address speaker Valerie Nurr’araaluk Davidson enters the ceremony to Mt. Juneau Tlingit and Woosh.ji.een dancers on Sunday, May 5, 2019. (Erin Laughlin | For the Juneau Empire)

Commencement speaker Valerie Nurr’araaluk Davidson speaks during the University of Alaska Southeast commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 5, 2019. (Erin Laughlin | For the Juneau Empire)

Commencement speaker Valerie Nurr’araaluk Davidson speaks during the University of Alaska Southeast commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 5, 2019. (Erin Laughlin | For the Juneau Empire)

University of Alaska Southeast Chancellor Richard Caulfield congratulates a graduate during the UAS commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 5, 2019. “We are enormously proud of our graduates at all three UAS campuses. Many of our students are first-generation college students and are completing their degree while raising a family and working one or two jobs. Every one of them chose to advance their skills and education at UAS as a pathway to improving their life and that of their family and community,” Caulfield said. (Erin Laughlin | For the Juneau Empire)

University of Alaska Southeast Chancellor Richard Caulfield congratulates a graduate during the UAS commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 5, 2019. “We are enormously proud of our graduates at all three UAS campuses. Many of our students are first-generation college students and are completing their degree while raising a family and working one or two jobs. Every one of them chose to advance their skills and education at UAS as a pathway to improving their life and that of their family and community,” Caulfield said. (Erin Laughlin | For the Juneau Empire)

The University of Alaska Southeast Recreation Center was packed with graduates, faculty, family and friends during the commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 5, 2019. (Erin Laughlin | For the Juneau Empire)

The University of Alaska Southeast Recreation Center was packed with graduates, faculty, family and friends during the commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 5, 2019. (Erin Laughlin | For the Juneau Empire)

A graduate’s hat reads “Wife mom nurse” on Sunday during the University of Alaska Southeast commencement ceremony.

A graduate’s hat reads “Wife mom nurse” on Sunday during the University of Alaska Southeast commencement ceremony.

Mt. Juneau Tlingit and Woosh.ji.een dancers complete the academic procession which started the University of Alaska Southeast commencement ceremony Sunday, May 5, 2019. (Erin Laughlin | For the Juneau Empire)

Mt. Juneau Tlingit and Woosh.ji.een dancers complete the academic procession which started the University of Alaska Southeast commencement ceremony Sunday, May 5, 2019. (Erin Laughlin | For the Juneau Empire)

Commencement speaker Valerie Nurr’araaluk Davidson speaks during the University of Alaska Southeast commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 5, 2019. (Erin Laughlin | For the Juneau Empire)

Commencement speaker Valerie Nurr’araaluk Davidson speaks during the University of Alaska Southeast commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 5, 2019. (Erin Laughlin | For the Juneau Empire)

Members of the Mt. Juneau Tlingit and Wossh.ji.een dancers lead the academic procession on stage at the UAS Recreation Center during the UAS commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 5, 2019. (Erin Laughlin | For the Juneau Empire)

Members of the Mt. Juneau Tlingit and Wossh.ji.een dancers lead the academic procession on stage at the UAS Recreation Center during the UAS commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 5, 2019. (Erin Laughlin | For the Juneau Empire)

A graduate seen at the University of Alaska Southeast commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 5, 2019. (Erin Laughlin | For the Juneau Empire)

A graduate seen at the University of Alaska Southeast commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 5, 2019. (Erin Laughlin | For the Juneau Empire)

Hannah Cassell graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences from the University of Alaska Southeast on Sunday, May 5, 2019. (Erin Laughlin | For the Juneau Empire)

Hannah Cassell graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences from the University of Alaska Southeast on Sunday, May 5, 2019. (Erin Laughlin | For the Juneau Empire)

Taylor Vidic performs the national athem at the University of Alaska Southeast commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 5, 2019. Vidic graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Business Administration degree with an emphasis in Management.

Taylor Vidic performs the national athem at the University of Alaska Southeast commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 5, 2019. Vidic graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Business Administration degree with an emphasis in Management.

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