Highlanders began their commencement celebrations with a week of festivities including Senior Sendoff at UC Riverside’s Rivera Lawn on Thursday, May 21.

More than 700 seniors attended the event, which included free food and swag, photobooths, celebratory stations, a graduation cap decoration station, and music from KUCR. 

Senior Sendoff was sponsored by the Office of Alumni Events, which provided students opportunities to learn about UCR’s alumni programs. Participants included the School of Public Policy, School of Education, School of Business, and College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. KUCR, the Well, the Veterans Resource Center, and the Associated Students of UC Riverside, or ASUCR, had informational tables.

Many students took the opportunity to take photos with friends in front of campus landmarks such as the UCR sign and the bell tower.

ASUCR also held a Senior BBQ at the Barn on Tuesday, May 21, while the Associated Students Program Board held a nooner with music and fun activities at the bell tower on Wednesday, May 22.

The events gave students an opportunity to celebrate on campus as they get ready for the June commencement ceremonies at Toyota Arena in Ontario.