The 97th University of Alaska Fairbanks commencement ceremony took place on Saturday, May 4, 2019, at the Carlson Center in Fairbanks. UAF conferred about 1,366 degrees and certificates to to 1,277 students this year, and about 600 students walked across the stage during the commencement ceremony.

University of Alaska Fairbanks graduates from the School of Natural Resources and Extension and the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences gather before the commencement ceremony at the Carlson Center on May 4, 2019.

Employees of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Office of the Registrar gather at the Carlson Center before the commencement ceremony May 4, 2019.

Ethan Lauesen, left, and Naomi Hutchens, who both earned bachelor's degrees in art, hug before the University of Alaska Fairbanks' 97th commencement ceremony at the Carlson Center on Saturday, May 4, 2019.

Graduating members of the Alaska Nanooks men's ice hockey team visit the locker room at the Carlson Center in their academic regalia before the University of Alaska Fairbanks commencement ceremony, which is held at the center, on May 4, 2019.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Inu-Yupiaq Student Dance Group prepares to lead off UAF's 97th commencement ceremony at the Carlson Center on Saturday, May 4, 2019.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Wind Symphony, under the direction of George Rydlinski, prepare to perform at UAF's 97th commencement ceremony in the Carlson Center on Saturday, May 4, 2019. The symphony welcomed graduates to the floor with "Pomp and Circumstance."

A. David McGuire, professor emeritus of ecology, carries the University of Alaska mace as grand marshal of the UA Fairbanks commencement ceremony Saturday, May 4, 2019, at the Carlson Center. Behind him, from left, are UA President Jim Johnsen, UA regents Karen Perdue and John Davies, and UAF Chancellor Daniel M. White.

Heather Sauyaq Jean Gordon, who earned a doctorate in indigenous studies, stands just below the stage staircase before receiving her degree at the University of Alaska Fairbanks' 97th commencement ceremony in the Carlson Center on Saturday, May 4, 2019.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Inu-Yupiaq Student Dance Group leads the processional at the beginning of UAF's commencement ceremony Saturday, May 4, 2019, at the Carlson Center.

Joe Bifelt, of Huslia, smiles as he walks to his seat at the beginning of the University of Alaska Fairbanks' commencement ceremony May 4, 2019, at the Carlson Center. Bifelt received a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education.

Class speaker Jessica K. Obermiller, who earned a bachelor's degree in anthropology, speaks during the University of Alaska Fairbanks' commencement ceremony at the Carlson Center on May 4, 2019.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Inu-Yupiaq Student Dance Group performs at the beginning of UAF's commencement ceremony Saturday, May 4, 2019, at the Carlson Center.

Casey Winkelman, who earned a bachelor's degree in music performance, sings the national anthem during the University of Alaska Fairbanks' 97th commencement ceremony in the Carlson Center on Saturday, May 4, 2019.

A doctoral candidate clap for peers at the University of Alaska Fairbanks' 97th commencement ceremony at the Carlson Center on Saturday, May 4, 2019.

Taylor Seitz, who earned a bachelor's degree in biological sciences, waits to walk across the stage at the University of Alaska Fairbanks' 97th commencement ceremony in the Carlson Center on Saturday, May 4, 2019.

Jonathan Napier stands at his seat after receiving his bachelor's degree in fisheries and ocean sciences at University of Alaska Fairbanks' 97th commencement ceremony at the Carlson Center on Saturday, May 4, 2019.

Graduates creatively decorated their caps for the University of Alaska Fairbanks' commencement ceremony May 4, 2019.

Graduates creatively decorated their caps for the University of Alaska Fairbanks' commencement ceremony May 4, 2019.

Sarah Sefton blows a kiss toward the audience during the University of Alaska Fairbanks' commencement ceremony at the Carlson Center on May 4, 2019. Sefton received a bachelor's degree in elementary education.

Raymundo Lopez gives a thumbs up while standing with fellow graduates from the College of Engineering and Mines during the University of Alaska Fairbanks' 97th commencement ceremony at the Carlson Center on Saturday, May 4, 2019.

University of Alaska Fairbanks Chancellor Daniel M. White congratulates the more than 600 graduates who attended UAF's 97th commencement ceremony at the Carlson Center Saturday, May 4, 2019.

The Rev. Anna M. Frank, who has served Alaskans as a community health aide, counselor and priest for more than 50 years, receives an honorary Doctor of Laws degree during the University of Alaska Fairbanks' 97th commencement ceremony at the Carlson Center May 4, 2019. She received a standing ovation from the audience.

Linda G. Hulbert, who has worked as an educator and education advocate in Alaska for more than 50 years, receives the Meritorious Service Award during University of Alaska Fairbanks' 2019 commencement ceremony at the Carlson Center on May 4, 2019.

University of Alaska Fairbanks graduates from the College of Engineering and Mines and the College of Natural Science and Mathematics display their diploma covers during the commencement ceremony at the Carlson Center on May 4, 2019.

University of Alaska Fairbanks Chancellor Daniel M. White congratulates a graduate on the stage at the 2019 commencement ceremony in the Carlson Center on Saturday, May 4, 2019.

Class speaker Jessica K. Obermiller, who earned a bachelor's degree in anthropology, speaks during the University of Alaska Fairbanks' 97th commencement ceremony at the Carlson Center on May 4, 2019.

A member of the audience records class speaker Jessica K. Obermiller, who earned a bachelor's degree in anthropology, during UAF's commencement ceremony at the Carlson Center on May 4, 2019.

Ajiel Mae Basmayor, who earned a bachelor's degree in biological sciences, listens to class speaker Jessica K. Obermiller during the University of Alaska Fairbanks' 97th commencement ceremony Saturday, May 4, 2019, at the Carlson Center.

Twenty-one students from the Eagle Community School, along with their chaperones, cheer during the University of Alaska Fairbanks' 97th commencement ceremony on May 4, 2019, in the Carlson Center. The students attended to support their teachers, Kristy Jones-Robbins and Zach Sanders, who received respective master's degrees in special education and secondary education.

Julian Thibodeau, who received a certificate in rural human services from the University of Alaska Fairbanks' Interior Alaska Campus, smiles at the audience during UAF's commencement ceremony recessional at the Carlson Center on May 4, 2019.

Nathan Taylor, a rifle team member who earned a bachelor's degree in biological sciences, returns to his seat after crossing the stage during the University of Alaska Fairbanks' 97th commencement ceremony on May 4, 2019, in the Carlson Center.

University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Management graduate Briona Hudson waves to the audience during UAF's 97th commencement ceremony at the Carlson Center on May 4, 2019. Hudson received a bachelor's degree in business administration.

Laura Kromrey, who earned a bachelor's degree in biological sciences, displays her diploma book at UAF's 97th commencement ceremony at the Carlson Center on Saturday, May 4, 2019.

University of Alaska Fairbanks graduate Ariana Horner sings the state song, "Alaska's Flag," during UAF's 97th commencement ceremony May 4, 2019, at the Carlson Center in Fairbanks. Horner received a bachelor's degree in music education.

University of Alaska Regent John Davies confers the degrees during the UA Fairbanks commencement ceremony Saturday, May 4, 2019, in the Carlson Center.

University of Alaska Fairbanks graduates reach for balloons at the end of UAF's 97th commencement ceremony, held May 4, 2019, at the Carlson Center.

University of Alaska Fairbanks graduates reach for balloons at the end of UAF's 97th commencement ceremony, held May 4, 2019, at the Carlson Center.

Members of the University of Alaska Fairbanks faculty congratulate graduates as they leave the UAF commencement ceremony, held May 4 2019, in the Carlson Center.

Faculty, staff, community members, friends and family members greet and congratulate University of Alaska Fairbanks graduates outside the Carlson Center after the commencement ceremony May 4, 2019.