For McKenzie Kurosu, graduating from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in spring 2025 was about more than just earning a degree.
“UH Mānoa has given me so many opportunities, from internships to student work, allowing me to immerse myself in what I truly love,” said Kurosu. “I’m just so grateful for everything.”
Kurosu joined more than 2,500 graduates at the Stan Sheriff Center on May 17, for the UH Mānoa spring commencement ceremonies. Thousands of proud family members, friends, faculty and staff cheered as the 2,319 undergraduates and 538 graduate students received their degrees.
“To be honest, going to UH Mānoa was probably the best decision I’ve ever made,” said graduate Quentin Shores, who was the student speaker in the morning ceremony. “I’m only 21, but I’ve made all my best friends here. Everybody I know and care about came from this place.”
Shores admitted to some pre-speech nerves as he prepared to address nearly 10,000 people.
“I’m just glad my jokes landed,” said Shores. “I was worried about that. It felt like stand-up, but I’m so thankful everyone was so receptive. I really appreciate that.”
Jessica Chillingworth, the afternoon student speaker, earned her PhD in education 20 years after walking the UH Mānoa stage to accept her bachelor’s degree.
“Today we reach this milestone, we are not at the end of our climb. We are simply pausing to take in the view before tackling the next peak,” she said in her address. “Don’t settle for the view you already have, go chase a sight worth seeing.”
Olympic gold medalist and five-time world champion surfer Carissa Moore inspired graduates as the keynote speaker at both ceremonies, sharing her personal story of perseverance and triumph, and encouraging the graduates to go all in.
“Whether you’ve already found your passion, or are still searching, I hope you discover what sets your heart on fire, what excites you and what challenges you and pulls you forward even when the days are hard,” she said. “It doesn’t have to make sense to anyone else. It just has to matter to you. And when you find it, Go. All. In. Pour your love, your time, your energy into it. Because life is too short to play it safe, to live small, to chase someone else’s wave.”
After the ceremonies, the graduates were greeted by family and friends at the Ching Athletics Complex and Les Murakami Stadium fields.
“It is such a special time of year, always, but really so this year since it’s my first as president of the system,” said UH President Wendy Hensel who started on January 1. “Seeing the joy on the faces of our graduates and the excitement about the future is just unmatched.”
Hensel also praised the volunteers, faculty, staff and administrators who staffed the ceremonies, many of whom have been working for months planning and preparing.
“If there ever was any doubt, the smiles and joy on the faces of our graduates and their families should tell you all that you need to know about the impact of your efforts,” said Hensel in an email. “A special thanks goes to Commencement Commander-in-Chief Lori Furoyama and Senior Advisor to the Provost April Quinn for leading the charge. Your herculean efforts paid off!”
It was also the last commencement ceremony for Michael Bruno as provost, who announced in early May that he is returning to faculty on July 1 after serving in the position since 2019. He called commencement the most joyful day of year in his May 12 aloha message to the campus.
“For our graduating seniors, this marks the culmination of years of hard work, dedication and resilience,” he said. “You have overcome challenges unlike any other class in recent memory, having started your college journey amid the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic. To say that you have persevered is an understatement—you have thrived.”
Draped in lei after the ceremony, Kurosu said she’s excited about the next chapter of her life, adding that she will never forget graduation day.
“It feels amazing,” said Kurosu. “This commencement has been incredible. These four years have been wrapped up into this one moment, and I feel so emotional and grateful for my family, my friends, and the university. It’s been amazing.”
