Commencements celebrate classes of 2022 and 2020

Thursday, May 12, 2022

More than 2,200 Pitt undergrads crossed the stage on May 1 at the Petersen Events Center at Pitt’s first in-person, University-wide commencement ceremony since 2019.

In addition, ceremonies were held throughout the previous week for the different schools, and the class of 2020 had its long-awaited in-person commencement on April 30.

ESPN analyst Louis Riddick (A&S ’91) was keynote speaker at the undergrad ceremony. A Pitt student-athlete who went on to a career as a pro football player and broadcaster, Riddick told the students: “Let me be the first to tell you this: Success in life is never going to be linear. It’s never going to be a direct shot right to the top. Stay the course. Reinvent. Be bold.”

Riddick was granted an honorary doctorate from Pitt, along with sculptor Thaddeus Mosley (A&S ’50) and congresswoman Lauren Underwood.

Graduating seniors from the Class of 2022 gathered May 1 in Petersen Events Center for the first University-wide commencement since 2019. (Mike Dradzinski | University of Pittsburgh)
2022 grads celebrate after walking the stage to get their diplomas.
Ceremonies were held for different schools throughout the last week of April, including the Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences. (Aimee Obidzinski | University of Pittsburgh)
Horns greeted the graduates at the Petersen Events Center. (Aimee Obidzinski | University of Pittsburgh)
Law school graduates slip the tassel on their mortarboards after graduation ceremonies on May 7. (Aimee Obidzinski | University of Pittsburgh)
ESPN analyst Louis Riddick (center) gave the commencement address to the class of 2022. Here he receives an honorary degree from Chancellor Patrick Gallagher (from left), Board of Trustees interim chair Mary Ellen Callahan, Anantha Shekhar, senior vice chancellor for health sciences, and Provost Ann Cudd. (Aimee Obidzinski | University of Pittsburgh)
Chancellor Gallagher addressed those member of the Class of 2020 who chose to come back to campus April 30 for a long-delayed in-person commencement ceremony. (Tom Altany | University of Pittsburgh)
Class of 2020 members celebrate at Petersen Events Center after an in-person ceremony that was delayed because of the pandemic. (Tom Altany | University of Pittsburgh)