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    The “We Love Kate!!!” signs of friends and family of English graduate Kate Ohrborn were a little soggy (as were the attendees) from the downpour.
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    HSU President Lisa Rossbacher came prepared for the predicted rain.
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    Sociology graduates Hannah Kelly (left) and Alyssa Fraijo got in a selfie at the West Gym prior to the start of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences commencement on Saturday morning, May 14 in HSU’s Redwood Bowl.
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    A panoramic view shows a large crowd in HSU’s Redwood Bowl, despite the forecast of rain that came true. Many attendees were protected by umbrellas or covered in plastic ponchos (handed out free) during the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences commencement on Saturday morning, May 14.
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    Art graduate Nelia Marshall, of Hoopa, wore a traditional woven hat during the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences commencement on Saturday morning, May 14 in HSU’s Redwood Bowl.
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    Native American Studies graduate Vivienna Orcutt, of Hoopa, took shelter from the rain under a program.
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    Mai Hang, Stockton, holding Rosie Xiong, shared an umbrella with Eric Xiong.
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    The onset of a steady rain that lasted most of the ceremony sent audience members scrambling to put on rain coats and ponchos.
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    Ellinoa Blake, a critical race, gender and sexuality studies graduate, wears a mortarboard hat with one of HSU’s informal mottos, which was very appropriate for this rainy day commencement ceremony.
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    Once the rain began, HSU staff scrambled to cover up the speakers while others passed out free plastic ponchos to commencement attendees.
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    Unprepared for the weather, HSU student Dylan Reed used a program for protection from the rain.
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    HSU journalism professor Vicky Sama reads the name of journalism graduate Siulolovao Vuna, as Natural Resources Dean Steve Smith provides umbrella support and CAHSS Dean Ken Ayoob passes out the diplomas.
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    Rainfall during HSU graduation ceremonies has been a rare event over the past four decades. This left-over diploma covered in raindrops was photographed after the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences commencement on Saturday morning, May 14 in HSU’s Redwood Bowl.
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    Communication graduate Diana Casteel placed a quote from Nelson Mandela and a thank-you to journalism professor Kirby Moss on her mortarboard.
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    Art history majors would recognize this umbrella’s “Starry Night” image by Vincent Van Gogh.
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    Journalism graduate Rebekah Staub displayed her diploma as she left the stage in a downpour.
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    Sociology graduate Bryant Perry lets his nephew Izaiah Woods try on his mortarboard hat after the commencement ceremony.
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    Family and friends provided these leis to help celebrate Sociology major Bryant Perry’s graduation.

Thadeus Greenson is the news editor of the North Coast Journal.