Thousands of family and friends gathered at Wells Fargo Arena to share a special day with ASU students attending their graduation ceremony on Dec. 19.

Silly string drapes from Nursing Graduate Wendy Hernandez’ mortar board as she celebrates when School of Nursing students are introduced to the crowd at the Main commencement on Dec. 19.

All the hard work and dedication have paid off. Chemistry PhD graduate Jia Li shows her diploma to her mentor, Regents' Professor Peter Buseck.

Aybars Sahlan (left) and Bob Charles beam with excitement and a feeling of accomplishment. They earned Marketing degrees from the ASU College of Business and celebrate during Convocation.

Alumni Lawn in front of Old Main was the perfect place on a perfect day for a pre-game barbecue. More than 2,500 family and friends attended. The barbeque is part of Family Weekend, which started as Parents Weekend, and has been held at ASU since 1935.

Sparky leads ASU cheerleaders, students and staff on the annual Lantern Walk up "A" Mountain. The Lantern Walk tradition dates back to 1917.

It’s an annual tradition at ASU for freshmen students to make the long trek up “A” mountain to whitewash the “A,” signifying the beginning of a new academic year. Taking part in this year’s whitewash is Jane Bremer, a freshman from Columbus, Ohio.

The Moeur Building is home to a research project that connects ASU with the study of Mars. At the Mars Global Surveyor Space Flight Facility, ASU scientists are using the Thermal Emission Spectrometer to measure the mineral composition of Mars' surface. The building also has classrooms for use by K-12 students who participate in learning experiences with the Mars researchers.

With more than 100 palm trees lining the way, Palm Walk is a popular corridor among students, faculty and staff and university visitors alike. Palm Walk extends from University Drive and the University Bridge on the north to the Student Recreation Complex on the south.

The procession of ASU administrators and faculty marches into Gammage Auditorium for opening convocation, which was attended by record numbers of freshmen and their parents.

A student studies outside the Ross-Blakley Law Library.

The Sun Devil Marching Band strutted their stuff across campus, performed at the Tailgate Barbecue, then kept on marching to Sun Devil Stadium for the ASU vs. Oregon State football game.

ASU President Michael Crow takes a moment following his official installation as president to enjoy applause from the more than 3,000 alumni, employees and community members in attendance at his inauguration ceremony.

A dirty white construction wall at ASU is alive with color, thanks to seven Herberger College of Fine Arts students participating in a mural project that is brightening up the 250-foot-long temporary barrier.