LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky held its largest-ever commencement ceremonies Friday and Saturday, with more than 4,800 graduates participating across four ceremonies at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. The milestone marks the university's record for both ceremony participants and degree candidates, with a total of 6,693 May degree candidates approved by the UK Board of Trustees.

The ceremonies included 4,427 undergraduate, 1,526 graduate and 740 professional degree candidates across 14 colleges at the university. Four ceremonies took place at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Friday and 6 p.m. Friday, with a final session at 9 a.m. Saturday. All sessions were livestreamed on the UK YouTube channel.

Documentary photographer and educator Malcolm J. Wilson received the university's highest honor during the Friday 6 p.m. ceremony. Wilson, an Appalachian native, has spent more than four decades documenting the people and culture of the region through his work, including the widely followed "Humans of Central Appalachia" project he co-founded in 2015. He has donated more than 250,000 photographs and 500,000 digital images to UK's Special Collections Research Center, creating an archive documenting Appalachian history spanning four decades.

Four graduating students delivered remarks at the ceremonies. Mostafa Mubarak, graduating with three degrees in electrical engineering, computer engineering and computer science, spoke at the Friday 9 a.m. ceremony. Maria Carolina Burn, graduating with a degree in integrated strategic communication, addressed the 2 p.m. Friday ceremony. Siena Pilati, earning a degree in public policy and a certificate in artificial intelligence, spoke Friday at 6 p.m., while Fatimah Alomar, graduating with degrees in biology and neuroscience, delivered remarks Saturday at 9 a.m. Each ceremony also included remarks from UK President Eli Capilouto.

Following each ceremony, the UK Alumni Association hosted the Grad Gathering reception in Club C of Rupp Arena's lower level, offering free refreshments, photo opportunities and gifts to graduates and families.