On Saturday, June 3 at 10:30AM, 488 undergraduate and 238 graduate students from Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) received their diplomas at RISD’s 2017 Commencement. The ceremony took place at the Rhode Island Convention Center in downtown Providence, where the annual RISD Graduate Thesis Exhibition was also on view.

This year RISD presented four honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degrees to change-makers in contemporary culture. Airbnb co-founder and RISD alumnus Brian Chesky (RISD ’04 Industrial Design) accepted an honorary degree and also delivered the Commencement keynote address. Chesky’s Airbnb co-founder and fellow graduate Joe Gebbia (RISD ’05 Graphic Design/Industrial Design), painter Kehinde Wiley and designer Christina Kim accepted honorary degrees at the ceremony as well. In addition, cartoonist Roz Chast (RISD ’77 Painting) was honored with the 2017 Alumni Award for Artistic Achievement.

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Schedule
2017
Saturday, June 3rd
10:30 AM

Commencement 2017 Atulya Chaganty and Anina Major, Graduate Student Speakers

Atulya Chaganty, Rhode Island School of Design
Anina Major, Rhode Island School of Design
RISD President, Rhode Island School of Design

Rhode Island Convention Center, One Sabin St. Providence, RI

10:30 AM

10:30 AM

Commencement 2017 Board of Trustees Chair Michael Spalter Welcome Address

Michael Spalter, Rhode Island School of Design
RISD President, Rhode Island School of Design

Rhode Island Convention Center, One Sabin St. Providence, RI

10:30 AM

10:30 AM

Commencement 2017 Emily Moenning, Undergraduate Student Speaker

Emily Moenning, Rhode Island School of Design
RISD President, Rhode Island School of Design

Rhode Island Convention Center, One Sabin St. Providence, RI

10:30 AM

10:30 AM

Commencement 2017 Keynote Address | Brian Chesky

Brian Chesky
RISD President, Rhode Island School of Design

Rhode Island Convention Center, One Sabin St. Providence, RI

10:30 AM

10:30 AM

Commencement 2017 President Rosanne Somerson

Rosanne Somerson, Rhode Island School of Design
RISD President, Rhode Island School of Design

Rhode Island Convention Center, One Sabin St. Providence, RI

10:30 AM

10:30 AM

Commencement 2017 Roz Chast Recieves Alumni Award for Artistic Achievment

Roz Chast
RISD President, Rhode Island School of Design

Rhode Island Convention Center, One Sabin St. Providence, RI

10:30 AM