Thousands of UC Davis students received their degrees in two ceremonies on Friday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
After three more ceremonies on Saturday and Sunday, the university will have minted a total of about 7,000 new graduates.
Astronaut José Hernández recorded a video address to be played at all five ceremonies, and Sacramento Kings coach Mike Brown taped a congratulatory message as well.
Despite a spring season full of pro-Palestine student protests across the nation, only a few students made visible references to the war in Gaza as they crossed the stage during the Friday afternoon commencement.