Illinois Wesleyan University celebrated the Class of 2014, one of the institution’s largest graduating classes, during the 164th Commencement ceremonies on May 4. 

Alumnus speaker Deanna Jent ’84 told graduates to “Boldly write your story, but when another story starts to write you, surrender to that new narrative.” Class of 2014 graduates and their loved ones shared their excitement and well wishes on social media at #IWU2014.

You can view galleries of the ceremonies here. The list of 503 candidates for graduation can be found here. Three of those graduates, Jennifer Veitengruber, John Laughlin, and Jacklyn Morris, attended school together (mostly) since the first day of Kindergarten and were featured in the Pantagraph. Athena Cocallas, Hannah Smith, Josi Banales, Zach Smith, and Mary Jean Zyck were also featured in another Pantagraph article covering graduation.