Last Collection
![Students hold candles at Last Collection](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/180525_collection_016_720.jpg.webp?itok=4MD0CySw)
The tradition of Last Collection brings the senior class together in the amphitheater to reflect on its time at Swarthmore.
![Shivani Chinnappan '18 at Last Collection](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/180525_collection_002_720.jpg.webp?itok=bvDndJfX)
Shivani Chinnappan '18
![Student speaks at Last Collection](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/180525_collection_003_720.jpg.webp?itok=XrB7R4gi)
Last Collection 2018
![Casey Lu Simon-Plumb '18 speaks at Last Collection](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/180525_collection_008_720.jpg.webp?itok=CiYxiULA)
Casey Lu Simon-Plumb '18
![Michael Nafziger '18 and Jeff Novak '18 at Last Collection](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/180525_collection_014_720.jpg.webp?itok=iRlJHka5)
Michael Nafziger '18 and Jeff Novak '18
![Shruti Pal '18 speaks at Last Collection](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/180525_collection_031_720.jpg.webp?itok=hdRGC_I6)
Shruti Pal '18
![Students pose with candles at Last Collection](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/180525_collection_023_720.jpg.webp?itok=EGDYzf43)
Last Collection 2018
![Students pose with candles at Last Collection](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/180525_collection_025_720.jpg.webp?itok=vHD5azWX)
Last Collection 2018
![A cappella groups perform](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/180525_collection_034_720.jpg.webp?itok=brQhOzSd)
A cappella groups perform at Last Collection
![Omodaya Origunwa '18 at Last Collection](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/180525_collection_019_720.jpg.webp?itok=1U33UZlY)
Last Collection 2018
![Taylor Chiang '18 at Last Collection](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/180525_collection_043_720.jpg.webp?itok=tOp4oAJW)
Last Collection 2018
![Students hold candles at Last Collection](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/180525_collection_044_720.jpg.webp?itok=Fc8gNWVp)
Last Collection 2018
Baccalaureate
![Baccalaureate crowd in amphitheater](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/bac_MG_1289_edit_720.jpg.webp?itok=qSLhI9H4)
Baccalaureate is intended to touch upon the moral and spiritual roots of the educational process and encourage commitment to a more just world.
![Liz Vallen](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/bac_MG_1637A_edit_720.jpg.webp?itok=iP-PClKS)
Professor of Biology Liz Vallen introduced Baccalaureate Speaker Rachel Merz.
![Rachel Merz in front of crowd](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/bac_MG_1249_edit_720.jpg.webp?itok=z1LySwQy)
Rachel Merz, Walter Kemp Emerita Professor in the Natural Sciences and Professor Emerita of Biology, gave the Baccalaureate Address.
![Rachel Merz](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/bac_MG_1816_edit_720.jpg.webp?itok=rM7bEEaY)
"This is what I want you to take away from today," says Baccalaureate Speaker Rachel Merz, "the fact that Nature is all around us and by noticing it, by really noticing it, that we can find peace and a refuge from turmoil."
![Jaky Joseph '06](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/bac_MG_1603A_edit_720.jpg.webp?itok=t9OdbuLF)
Jaky Joseph '06 gave the reading.
![Rachel Merz, Valerie Smith, Salem Shuchman '84, Jaky Joseph '06, and Sibelan Forrester.](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/bac_MG_1664A_edit_720.jpg.webp?itok=VKQePjyn)
From left, Baccalaureate Speaker Rachel Merz, President Valerie Smith, Board Chair Salem Shuchman '84, Jaky Joseph '06, and Faculty Marshall Sibelan Forrester.
![Valerie Smith](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/Val_Baccalaureate_720.jpg.webp?itok=y9zMeC9J)
President Valerie Smith
![Choir singing at Baccalaureate](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/bac_MG_1242_edit_720.jpg.webp?itok=ltzV_hY4)
Members of the Swarthmore College Chorus, led by Director Joseph Gregorio, performed Stephen Paulus' The Road Home, featuring a solo by Mindy Cheng '18, and the College's alma mater.
![Mindy Cheng '18](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/bacc_choir_solo2.jpg.webp?itok=u5aswhvC)
Soprano Mindy Cheng '18
![Students at Baccalaureate.](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/bac_MG_1329_edit_720.jpg.webp?itok=i0vglAwY)
Students sing the alma mater at Baccalaureate.
![Students at Baccalaureate](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/bacc_MG_1934_edit_720.jpg.webp?itok=WUiUMQtw)
Baccalaureate 2018
![Students](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/bac_MG_1841_edit_720.jpg.webp?itok=3jtDbzVq)
Baccalaureate 2018
![Baccalaureate](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/bac_MG_1455_edit_720.jpg.webp?itok=46F2V4Nm)
Baccalaureate 2018
![Osmond Mbaeri greets a student.](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/bac_MG_1210_edit_720.jpg.webp?itok=wA6Oy2gf)
Public Safety Sergeant Osmond Mbaeri greets a student.
![Students at Baccalaureate.](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/bac_MG_2150_edit_720.jpg.webp?itok=ydYXayOZ)
Baccalaureate 2018
![Students at Baccalaureate](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/bacc_MG_1443_edit_720.jpg.webp?itok=0dEiAGZa)
Students at Baccalaureate
Commencement 2018
![Commencement 2018](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/comm_180527_commencement027_720.jpg.webp?itok=Q8dI2kBN)
Commencement 2018.
![Commencement 2018](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/comm_180527_commencement147_720.jpg.webp?itok=6AcOtwU_)
Commencement 2018.
![Commencement 2018](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/comm_180527_commencement168_720.jpg.webp?itok=c-n4kYme)
Commencement 2018.
![Commencement 2018](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/comm_MG_1876_edit_720.jpg.webp?itok=pkRqSRo_)
Commencement 2018.
![Commencement 2018](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/comm_MG_1764_edit_720.jpg.webp?itok=VEVo_adK)
Commencement 2018.
![Commencement 2018](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/comm_MG_2470_edit_720.jpg.webp?itok=-HrklMd-)
Commencement 2018.
![Commencement 2018](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/comm_MG_2120_edit_720.jpg.webp?itok=HVe4S0gA)
Salem Shuchman '84 and President Valerie Smith.
![Commencement 2018](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/staff_commencement.jpg.webp?itok=x9oOm0LO)
Staff representatives Maryann Lawler (Dining Services), Christina Webster (Information Technology Services), Jacqui West (Scott Arboretum), and Cathy Custer (Financial Aid) joined the procession.
![Commencement 2018](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/comm_180527_commencement128_720.jpg.webp?itok=ubWHlgz3)
Commencement 2018.
![Commencement 2018](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/greetingparents_commencement.jpg.webp?itok=_mQyYXBs)
Members of the Class of 2018 thank their families during the ceremony.
![Commencement 2018](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/comm_MG_2652_edit_720.jpg.webp?itok=U38WBIEL)
Salem Shuchman '84.
![Commencement 2018](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/comm_180527_commencement121_720.jpg.webp?itok=2Yhf8dV9)
Bennet Lorber '64.
![Commencement 2018](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/comm_MG_2798_edit_720.jpg.webp?itok=ypjaxpyG)
Senior speaker Tiffany Yu '18.
![Commencement 2018](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/comm_MG_3468_edit_720.jpg.webp?itok=qFkPlAqB)
President Valerie Smith.
![Commencement 2018](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/comm_MG_3108_edit_720.jpg.webp?itok=8IOUpYam)
Honorary degree recipient Edgar Cahn '56.
![Commencement 2018](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/comm_MG_3214_edit_720.jpg.webp?itok=-fyUs65N)
Honorary degree recipient Sonia Sanchez.
![Commencement 2018](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/comm_180527_commencement066_720.jpg.webp?itok=HiQycx1x)
Honorary degree recipient Francisco Valero-Cuevas '88.
![Commencement 2018](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/comm_MG_2382A_edit_720.jpg.webp?itok=R1b1In7n)
Commencement 2018.
![Commencement 2018](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/comm_180527_commencement045_720.jpg.webp?itok=H9JOpo8k)
Commencement 2018.
![Commencement 2018](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/comm_180527_commencement003_720.jpg.webp?itok=wavl2JHR)
Commencement 2018.
![Commencement 2018](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/comm_180527_commencement057_720.jpg.webp?itok=QVs2YpSZ)
Commencement 2018.
![Commencement 2018](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/comm_180527_commencement059_720.jpg.webp?itok=-0C-gPD4)
Commencement 2018.
![Commencement 2018](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/comm_180527_commencement006_720.jpg.webp?itok=km3TDza1)
Commencement 2018.
![Commencement 2018](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/Val_Commencement_1_720.jpg.webp?itok=peb6MRWC)
Commencement 2018.
![Commencement 2018](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/comm_180527_commencement008_720.jpg.webp?itok=t3nEUsaM)
Commencement 2018.
![Commencement 2018](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/comm_180527_commencement058_720.jpg.webp?itok=9g00nZAK)
Commencement 2018.
![Commencement 2018](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/comm_MG_3885_edit_720.jpg.webp?itok=yV39Hz95)
Commencement 2018.
![Commencement 2018](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/engineeringprank_commencement.jpg.webp?itok=HyT_yp8j)
Zhuolun Zhao '18 pops a balloon as part of the annual Engineering Prank.
![Commencement 2018](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/comm_180527_commencement031_720.jpg.webp?itok=0nFmAWFs)
Commencement 2018.
![Commencement 2018](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/comm_MG_2642A_edit_720.jpg.webp?itok=P0pukcY3)
Commencement 2018.
![Commencement 2018](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/180527_commencement014.JPG.webp?itok=7Vxl_9yR)
Commencement 2018.
![Commencement 2018](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/sanchez_recess_commencement.jpg.webp?itok=LNw5QXgZ)
Commencement 2018.
![Commencement 2018](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/comm_MG_1924_edit_720.jpg.webp?itok=nr2Uqh-J)
Commencement 2018.
![Commencement 2018](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/comm_180527_commencement163_720.jpg.webp?itok=dzvJPpke)
The tree dedicated in memory of Anthony Chiarenza '18.
![Commencement 2018](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/Baseball_Commencement.jpg.webp?itok=3MeIJ-8k)
Matt Palmer '18, Max Kassan '18, and Jackson Ramey '18 of the College's baseball team received their diplomas during an improvised ceremony at the Division III World Series in Wisconsin.
![Commencement 2018](/sites/default/files/styles/image_slider/public/assets/images/commencement-2018/comm_180527_commencement181_720.jpg.webp?itok=h1C85WET)
Commencement 2018.