“I’m confident that the class of 2020 . . . will face the future with clarity, optimism, and renewed resolve,” says President Kevin J Worthen in this quiet but celebratory message for seniors who are experiencing a “graduation day unlike any other in BYU history.” Hear why now, more than ever, the world needs the influence of strong, faithful, and compassionate BYU graduates.

In 2010 MBA grad Joe Nabrotzky entered a world of mass layoffs and hiring freezes. Today he asks 2020 grads: “What if everything that is happening to you right now is the exact way it’s supposed to be and is happening for you and not to you!?” Hear advice from Joe and other alums who faced daunting economic challenges right after graduation.

As the sun sets on a unique BYU graduation day, the stadium scoreboards burn bright for more than 6,000 new alumni separated from campus. Looking for ways to celebrate this week? Don a virtual cap and tassel, use a BYU Zoom background, or update your alumni info, then network and mentor with BYU Connect. Finally, here is a video welcome for this year’s graduates from BYU Alumni Association president Karen Bybee.

The recipient of a BYU honorary doctorate degree today likely wrote your favorite Primary song. Creator of nearly 3,000 original songs, Janice Kapp Perry is widely known for “A Child’s Prayer,” “Army of Helaman,” and other inspiring works featured in the Church’s hymnbook and children’s songbook. Read her words for today’s graduates at BYU Speeches, where you can also find the list of the top-10 most-viewed commencement addresses of all time.

For his senior capstone project, design grad Mario Alcauter (above) created a photo exhibit titled “La Línea” or “The Line,” capturing humanizing details of the immigration progress at the U.S.-Mexico border. His is one of thousands of senior success stories; you can read a few more here. Then head to Instagram to watch some current mini commencement speeches created by faculty and students from programs all over campus.

One of many responding to the current COVID-19 crisis, BYU grad Leandrew Tirrell flew to New York City, the U.S. epicenter of the pandemic. He describes the ICU where he was assigned as a disorganized disaster, noting that it was fitting that he arrived in time for Easter: “Each day feels like a treasure hunt. I am constantly searching for pillows, sheets, pumps, tubing, and medications.” But he also shares the outpouring of support and encouragement from friends, family, and community.

Here’s your chance to sing along at home: “Rollin’, rollin’, rollin’ on the river.” The Creedence hit “Proud Mary” was soulfully covered in 1970 by Tina Turner. For 2020, BYU Noteworthy gives the song their own classic a cappella treatment.

“Water is beautiful, gracious, even holy,” says comparative arts and letters professor George Handley. “Water washes and renews us. We cannot live without it.” Handley says that studying the role of water in the arid American West has strengthened his personal stewardship of the earth and tied him more firmly to Jesus Christ, the Living Water. Drink in the latest Thing of Beauty video.

In the midst of a standout junior campaign that was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gabi Garcia Fernandez led the NCAA in points per set (5.46) and aces per set (.918). Even with six regular-season and all postseason games canceled for the No. 1 Cougars, Garcia Fernandez still tallied 56 aces, enough to break the BYU single-season aces record. Congrats to the American Volleyball Coaches Association’s national player of the year.

ESPN BPI had BYU facing Wisconsin in the national championship game, Joe Lunardi had BYU falling in the Elite 8 to Gonzaga, and Reddit’s video-game simulations had BYU losing by 2 in the final game. But Cougar fans may prefer this Lego-bricks fantasy finish, in which BYU takes down mighty Kansas with a last-second shot called by Greg Wrubell.