Note: The slideshow above has no audio and does not move automatically from photo to photo. Press the right arrow to begin. To see our "Backstage at Commencement '08" slideshow, click here. To see our "Uni's new graduates take center stage" slideshow, click here.

URBANA — This year's commencement ceremony was held Saturday, May 31, at the Tryon Festival Theatre in the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. Hundreds of family members, friends, faculty, and well-wishers turned out to congratulate the 64 new graduates as they ended their careers as Uni students and officially began their journey as Uni alums.

Connecticut attorney Frank H. Finch Jr., Class of 1949, returned to Urbana to receive the 2008 Max Beberman Distinguished Alumni Award. Student speakers were Micah Berman, who delivered the welcome address, and Zoë Schein, who gave the farewell. Barbara Oehlschlaeger-Garvey spoke on behalf of the Parent-Faculty Organization. Social studies teacher Billy Vaughn gave the commencement address, while chemistry teacher David Bergandine delivered the benediction.

Social studies teacher Chris Butler and Spanish teacher Jenna Finch presented flowers to the graduates as Assistant Principal Sue Kovacs read their names and rising senior Adam Tiouririne read brief final words from each.

One of the highlights of the ceremony came in the form of a class video, produced by classmates Berman, Schein, Chris Nixon, and Julian Hartman.

To view our other commencement slideshows, click here for "Backstage at Commencement '08" and here for "Uni's new graduates take center stage."