Video: Joy is Triumphant at 187th Final Exercises

There were gray skies above and mud underfoot, but pure joy in between as the University of Virginia celebrated its 187^th Final Exercises Saturday and Sunday.

Despite dire forecasts of monsoon-like weather all weekend – which yielded a few, intermittent showers, mostly on Saturday – the University celebrated the Class of 2016 as it always has, with a procession of graduates, faculty members and festive banners and balloons, making its way around the temporarily reopened Rotunda terrace and down the center of the Lawn.

“Despite the weather, this is a glorious morning,” said former U.S. Poet Laureate Rita Dove, Commonwealth Professor of English, in her keynote address to graduates of the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences on Saturday. “Congratulations!”

UVA Today’s videographers captured the spirit of the weekend. Enjoy!

Find the full collection of Finals Weekend coverage here.