The Top: 32 Mortarboards from Commencement 2016
The Class of 2016 showcase their creativity, charisma and UCR's diversity through their impressive cap designs!
Welcome to The Top!
Each issue, we present a list of UCR staff and faculty favorites — from walking spots to gardens to events.
This week, we are featuring mortarboards that have left a lasting impression at UCR’s 62nd annual commencement ceremonies. With all the different colors, pop culture references and puns, the vast variety of cap designs speak volumes about UCR’s diverse student body.
Congratulations to our newest Highlanders!
Have a cap that you want to feature? Share it with us by emailing kris.lovekin@ucr.edu.
Mortarboards that Represent Your Major

The engineering major. Photo via Kamberlynn Muir (Instagram: @KYMMIEKAT)

The history major. Photo via Jenny Park (Instagram: @JEHNEEPAWK)

The business major. Photo via Heidi Medina (Instagram: @HDGM28)
The Potterheads…Literally
Just because UCR is not Hogwarts does not mean that the Harry Potter fans from the Class of 2016 cannot pay homage to their favorite literary series.

Photo via Jay Phan (Instagram: @_PHANTASTIC)

A fan of “Harry Potter” and a UCR graduate at the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences commencement on June 13. GradImages

A UCR graduate quotes Luna Lovegood, a character from the popular literary series “Harry Potter.” GradImages
The Disney Lovers
These magical mortarboards feature graduates’ favorite Disney movies, characters and quotes.

Shout out to “The Little Mermaid.” Photo via Daisy Hermosillo (Instagram: @DAISYSTEPHHH_)

An homage to the song “A Girl Worth Fighting For” from the Disney movie “Mulan.”Photo via Rachel Ann (Instagram: @CINDERRACHELLA)

Joselyn Pham pays tribute to the Disney animated film “Tangled” on her mortarboard. GradImages

Finding Nemo employment. Photo via Kat Uong (Instagram: @KATUONG)
The Pun-thusiasts
Who doesn’t love a good play on words?

Photo via Jake (Twitter: @JAVERMEERSCH)
The Adventurers

Photo via Brenda (Instagram: @GETYOURSELFSOMETHINGPRETTY)

Photo via Anuja Shukla (Twitter: @HELLONUJ)
Shout-out to Kanye West
Plenty of UCR graduates referenced Kanye West’s popular music video, “Good Morning,” on their mortarboards.
Showing Grad-itude
The Class of 2016 show their appreciation for their biggest supporters throughout the years on their caps!

Those long hours memorizing chemical structures are being put to good use!Photo via Huynh James (Instagram: @ALWAYSAHUYNHNER)
Or Both?
Heritage Sighting
Mortarboards can be a canvas for UCR graduates to proudly showcase their diverse cultural heritage.
“What Are Your Plans After Graduation?”
That answer can easily be summed up with a few key words on your mortarboard.

Take some time to appreciate the brilliant double meaning of the phrase, “20/20.”Photo via Christine Nguyen (Instagram: @CHRISTINE_NGUYEN)
Media Contact
Lilledeshan Bose
Tel: (951) 827-2645
E-mail: lille.bose@ucr.edu
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