More than 700 master's and doctoral students from 55 nations and 40 states received their diplomas at Graduate School at spring 2008 commencement. The ceremony was held at Northrop Memorial Auditorium in Minneapolis on Friday, May 9.

Regents Professor of Forest Resources Peter Reich gave the commencement address, "Dancing on Thin Ice." Reich charged the students to live beyond their academic degrees.

"Whether you live in Minneapolis, Mumbai, or Moscow...maintain a balance between nurturing your personal life and the demands of a professional career," he said. "And I ask you to find some means of civic engagement, of making a difference beyond that which you will do at home and on the job."

Under sunny skies, the candidates gathered on Northrop Mall as family and friends took photos and undergraduates hurried to classes on the last day of the semester. Photos by Mike Rollefson.

Graduate School staff members helped everyone line up in groups by degree.

Physics professor Joe Kapusta carried the mace, leading the faculty procession up the Scholars Walk and the mall.

Faculty members wearing academic robes of their alma maters participated in the ceremony to honor graduates from their fields.

Graduate School dean Gail Dubrow, left, and Regent Steven Hunter, center, paused as the faculty procession entered the auditorium.

The candidates processed across the plaza and into Northrop Memorial Auditorium.

Families and friends filled the auditorium, seated behind the graduates. Faculty members faced them from the stage. Everyone stood for the processional and the national anthem.

Graduates crossed the stage to receive their diplomas. Doctoral candidates were formally hooded in their academic colors.

Physics professor Joe Kapusta had the honor of hooding anthropology Ph.D. recipient Kim Kapusta--his daughter.

The Graduate School, established in 1905, offers more than 140 majors through programs on the Twin Cities, Duluth, and Rochester campuses, and awards more than 700 doctoral and nearly 2,000 master's degrees each year. It is part of the University's Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost, with central offices located on the Twin Cities campus. Graduate School commencement is held at the end of each semester, in May and December.