Scenes from commencement: Thousands of graduates take the next step

That effort? It was all worth it.

Thousands of Hokies officially traded their caps and gowns for the title of alumni this past weekend, celebrating their milestone achievements alongside cheers from friends and family.

In total, 6,741 students received bachelor’s degrees, 1,879 earned graduate degrees, and 277 doctoral candidates were recognized across ceremonies in Blacksburg and the greater Washington, D.C., area.

The university’s newest alumni left prepared to contribute as builders and thinkers shaping the future, carrying forward knowledge and experiences gained at Virginia Tech.

“You are all Hokies,” Faculty Senate President Justin Lemkul told the audience at Thursday’s Graduate School Commencement ceremony. “That is an identity that is hard to describe to anyone who hasn’t been part of our community. But you are called to serve others, be a force for progress in the world, and to lead by example in your chosen disciplines.”

"Every one of you has something to contribute, a talent, a skill, a perspective that the world needs. And the question isn’t whether you have something to offer, it’s whether you will be willing to offer it,” Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger said at the University Commencement ceremony.

Check out a collection of photos from the weekend’s celebrations: