Nearly 1,100 undergraduates celebrated their successful efforts Saturday morning as the University of Denver held its summer commencement program.

The undergraduate commencement for those receiving their bachelor degrees — one of the three summer commencements held by the school this week at the Magness Arena inside of the Ritchie Center — completed the 160th academic year of the Denver-based private institution.

At the two other commencements, around 1,300 graduate students also received their doctorate or masters degrees.

“It’s eye-opening,” Ryan Banisadr, a DU student graduating with a bachelor’s in science and business administration, said of walking across the stage to receive his diploma. “There’s lots of opportunity, and DU has shown me some of that.”

Banisadr visited the school from California and fell in love with it. “I felt like there was a good community,” he said. “And having the mountains and skiing here was awesome.”

The undergrad was one of many students and parents full of smiles on the bright Saturday morning.

“What a great day,” Todd Fagley said while walking to see his daughter, Sophia, who graduated with a bachelor’s in international studies and pre-law. “Beautiful day. Great school. Great community. Just an excellent place to be.”