When UConn’s social media put out a call to #UConn16 for a sneak peek at their graduation caps, there was no shortage of responses – and plenty of creativity. Although some of the designs haven’t yet been transferred to the actual caps, many of those traditional black mortarboards are about to be transformed.

The Husky dog logo features prominently in some of the designs, including one (second from left) decorated by Victoria Gitelman that has more than 1,500 rhinestones.

This year’s graduating seniors are looking forward to the future and excited by the possibilities. One student who knows exactly where she is going, Alina Grimshaw, juxtaposed the familiar UConn skyline seen from Horsebarn Hill with that of New York City (above right), where she will be moving next year to earn her master’s of social work.

Expect to see a bunch of decorated caps at the Commencement ceremony for the School of Nursing, where cap-decorating skills appear to be flourishing. At left, Kelly Monaghan points out that some angels are to be found in scrubs.

Some students took a famous quote as their motto, such as Mahatma Gandhi’s words, “Be the change you wish to see in the world” (third from left) or Nelson Mandela’s saying “It always seems impossible until it’s done” (top row, left). Emily Anderson’s play on words (right), “Now hotter by one degree,” serves as a reminder of an issue of profound importance for the future, climate change. Others took the opportunity to say thank you for college experiences that will soon become memories (below).