Speakers called on graduating seniors to embrace UCLA’s values amid recent political challenges at annual College of Letters and Science commencement ceremonies Friday.

The ceremonies, which took place 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. in Pauley Pavilion, included musical performances and speeches. University deans recognized students who had completed research, participated in community service or received Latin honors and called attention to the second-ever graduating class of disability studies students.

[Related: UCLA launches new Bachelor of Arts degree in disability studies]

An estimated 6,800 graduates and 27,000 guests attended the three ceremonies, UCLA spokesperson Ron Mackovich-Rodriguez said in a written statement.

Sara Bareilles, a UCLA alumnus and Grammy-winning musician, said in her keynote speech that she wanted to acknowledge current challenges. The Trump administration ordered United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement to conduct raids across Los Angeles this week and deployed the National Guard and Marines to guard government buildings.

“It is impossible to be in this moment, in our country, in our city and in the world and not acknowledge that … I am deeply concerned for us, for all of us,” Bareilles said. “I’m shocked and enraged by what I see unfolding in our government and on our streets.”

[Related: ‘This shouldn’t be happening’: Students react to troops, ICE raids in LA]

Bareilles also spoke about her experience grieving for her friend Gavin Creel, a Broadway actor who died of cancer in September. She said even though graduates may face fear and uncertainty about the future, they should see the challenges they face as opportunities to learn.

“Pain is a skillful teacher, and we are in painful times that can teach us so much – but only if we stay willing and awake to the infinite nature of all of it,” Bareilles said. “My crisis of faith in humanity might just be an invitation – an invitation to stay curious instead of certain, to remember that I am humanity too and this is a growth edge for all of us.”

[Related: Grammy-winning alumnus Sara Bareilles to be 2025 UCLA College commencement speaker]

Chancellor Julio Frenk said during the ceremony that current graduates had faced significant obstacles to their education. In the last four years, UCLA has moved to remote instruction multiple times, including for the COVID-19 pandemic, the January 2025 LA fires and in the aftermath of the attack on and subsequent sweep of the 2024 Palestine solidarity encampment.

Harriet Grace Leibowitz, a fourth-year physiological science student who was selected as the student speaker for the 11 a.m. commencement, said being challenged forces students to embrace growth.

Frenk said in his speech that he hopes all students will continue to demonstrate UCLA’s values – including respectful disagreement – after they graduate.

“It is relatively easy to be kind to those who you know,” Frenk said. “But true kindness – the source of the response of generations of life – reaches across boundaries, identities and differences.”

Gene Block, who was UCLA’s chancellor from 2007 to 2024, was notably absent from last year’s ceremonies, which followed the sweep of the first Palestine solidarity encampment and the arrests of several pro-Palestine protesters involved in subsequent demonstrations.

[Related: UCLA College celebrates graduates amid protest at commencement ceremony]

Although no protests interrupted the 11 a.m. commencement, UCLA set up a small area for public expression outside Pauley Pavilion. The university also made an announcement before the commencement ceremonies began, stating that the university values public expression, but interruptions to the event would not be permitted.

“Acts that keep the event from proceeding will not be permitted,” a speaker said before the event began.

Family members applauded as students from the College’s different divisions were invited to stand. Frenk said he hopes the graduates go on to better the lives of others.

“To our graduates, congratulations on earning your degree from the number one public university in the nation,” he said. “This moment belongs to all of you, and I hope you feel a deep sense of pride and purpose as you mark this milestone.”

Contributing reports by Zimo Li, Daily Bruin senior staff.