Nearly 5,000 graduates received their degrees during Fall Commencement Dec. 18, 2008.

Laurel Holmgren of Reno, NV, an elementary education and German major (right) and Jessica Mason, a mathematics and secondary ed major, chat and exchange a high five during the Barrett, the Honors College convocation Dec. 17.

Matt White of Chandler gets some help with his academic regalia from his mother JoAnn White prior to the Fall 2008 University Commencement Ceremony Dec. 18 at Wells Fargo Arena. On hand to receive their degrees were about 730 graduates from the Downtown Phoenix campus – including 267 nurses – and about 965 from the West campus, plus another 520 from the Polytechnic campus and 3,000 from Tempe.

Commencement is often a celebration of the graduate and their entire family. Edward Jasion, one of the many proud fathers on hand, photographs the interior of Wells Fargo Arena prior to the commencement ceremony. Jasion's son, Stephen, was receiving his engineering degree.

Right: A little over a decade ago, David Paul was involved in a nearly fatal car accident that resulted in the loss of his eyesight and both his legs. He spent the next two years learning how to walk on prosthetic legs, learning to read Braille, and training to use a special computer system for the visually impaired. At ASU Paul studied with ASU’s Computer Science and Engineering program, managed to complete rigorous math courses and learn three different computer languages without the benefit of his sight and ultimately earned an economics degree in the W. P. Carey School of Business, with a 3.6 G.P.A. Left: At the age of 14, Yesenia Barraza arrived in the U.S. and quickly distinguished herself by becoming fluent in English and excelling as an honors student at Westview High School in Avondale. With the help of scholarships she earned through exemplary academic performance, Yesenia graduated from the Barrett Honors College with a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and is the first person in her family to earn a university degree. A Leadership Scholarship Scholar, Yesenia’s thesis examined efforts to increase the enrollment and retention of first generation college students by enhancing parent involvement and the engagement of community organizations.

President Michael Crow shakes hands with the recipients of doctoral degrees during ASU’s Commencement Ceremony.

With a simple flip of the tassle, participants in the 2008 Fall Commencement were recognized officially as graduates, including students from the Morrison School of Business and Agribusiness and the W. P. Carey School of Business.

Newly graduated Ph.D. Jared Underwood grabs a balloon after Arizona State University’s 2008 Fall Commencement. He and his mentor, Leah Gerber of the School of Life Sciences enjoy the moment.

Heatherbraie Tysiak, 23, a theater major from Phoenix gets a congratulatory hug from her mother, Rose Tysiak, following Arizona State University's 2008 Fall Commencement.

ASU’s Air Force ROTC commissioned seven new second lieutenants during their Fall 2008 Commissioning Ceremony. One of which was Jacquelean Schorer of Peoria, Ariz., who had her lieutenants’ bars pinned on by her parents, Penny and James Schorer. Lt. Schorer also earned a degree in Kinesiology. Her Air Force assignment will be in space medicine.

Cheryl Lynn Antone, left, a criminal justice major from Palo Verde Stand, Ariz., and April Greyeyes, a justice studies major from Page chat before the American Indian Convocation.

Education majors Jennifer Jackson, center, and Geraline Moses relax with friends following the American Indian convocation.

Graduates hurried and family members gathered in Phoenix’s historic Orpheum Theatre for the College of Public Programs convocation.

ASU’s College of Teacher Education and Leadership at the West Campus make their way to the convocation ceremony after passing through the West campus’ Pauley Gates.

The Sandra Day O’Conner College of Law had 26 J.D. candidates, two candidates for the Master of Laws in Biotechnology and Genomics, and five candidates for the Master of Legal Studies. Top: Alan Matheson, Dean Emeritus and Professor of Law addresses the fall graduating class. Bottom left: Gary Marchant, executive director of the College's Center for the Study of Law, Science & Technology places the hood on Alice Lee, who had completed the requirements for both a J.D. and an M.B.A. Bottom right: Paul Eckstein, a partner at Perkins, Coie, Brown & Bain PA in Phoenix and co-founder of the College of Law's Dean's Council, gave the graduating address. DAVID SANDERS Photos

At the Hispanic convocation, sociology major George Diaz of Phoenix went with a sombrero instead of a standard mortarboard while Miguel Rodriguez of Phoenix sported the yellow hardhat of a graduate of ASU’s Del E. Webb School of Construction.

In a dramatic gesture, theater major James Chavez wielded a wrestling trophy belt and declared himself the “2008 Heavyweight Champion.” Other attendees of the Hispanic Convocation did not dispute his claim. In the end, all were champions – academic champions. Congratulations to all 2008 ASU graduates – Go Devils.