Nikki Giovanni receives an honorary degree Sunday during the Bates College commencement in Lewiston. The poet received a doctor of letters degree from Bates. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Nirav Shah delivered the commencement address Sunday at Bates College in Lewiston. Shah is director of the Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention. Shah’s advice to the Bates College Class of 2022: “Go out there and ‘be someone.’” Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Pierson Rambusch’s parents brought childhood pictures of Rambusch to his graduation Sunday during the Bates College commencement in Lewiston. Rambusch played for the Bates lacrosse team. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Ojochenemi Maji graduates Sunday from Bates College in Lewiston. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Bates College graduate Thomas Hiscock gives a fist bump during Sunday’s commencement processional. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Abdulwahab Mohamed crosses the stage Sunday after receiving his degree in sociology during the Bates College commencement. Mohamed is a graduate of Lewiston High School. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Lauren Berube of Auburn takes her seat Sunday during the Bates College commencement in Lewiston. Berube graduated from Edward Little High School. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Grace Beaudet, left, laughs Sunday with her sister, Anna, after graduating from Bates College in Lewiston. Grace and Anna graduated from Edward Little High School in Auburn. Anna Beaudet graduated from Bates in 2020. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Dr. Nirav Shah, director of the Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention, takes a selfie Sunday with the Class of 2022 at the start of his commencement speech at Bates College in Lewiston. Shah posted the photograph later in the day on Twitter. Dr. Nirav Shah

Caleb Kim, 11, holds a balloon Sunday during Bates College commencement in Lewiston. Kim’s brother, J. Daniel Kim, graduated with the Bates College Class of 2022. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal