The University of Iowa awarded more than 5,700 degrees at the close of the spring 2020 semester.

Many students and alumni will say they 'bleed black and gold' as an expression of their allegiance to the University of Iowa. Yet, for the Kollasch siblings, it is easy to say Hawkeye blood runs in their family. Anna Kate, Zachary, and Anthony Kollasch all came to the University of Iowa to pursue their graduate degrees. While many Hawkeyes can boast having multiple family members graduate from Iowa, the timing worked out this year for all three Kollasch siblings to be on campus simultaneously. The siblings from Whittemore, in north central Iowa, appreciate being close to each other in Iowa City as they complete degrees in their respective programs. Yet, they each were drawn to the university with different career interests.

Tippie College of Business graduate Matt Tolton is taking over his father's Atlantic-based business while starting his own cybersecurity firm.

For her PhD, Kathryn Crawford merged a longtime love of music with her passion for keeping workers safe.

Isabella Penniston never thought she would be performing research as an undergraduate in the College of Nursing. But several research experiences opened her eyes to new possibilities in her chosen career.

Zac McFarland originally wanted to play professional football, but picked Esq. over ESPN. The University of Iowa College of Law student will join the Minneapolis law firm Frederickson & Byron after graduation.

University of Iowa senior Tori Cassady wants to know how early life developed. The senior from West Des Moines, who will graduate in May, will go on to graduate school to study cyanobacteria, micro-organisms that live in Yellowstone's geothermal pools and are believed to be among the first life-forms on Earth.

University of Iowa graduating senior Sean Maxson has found his calling: Developing technological innovations that can provide more independence for people with paralysis or other similar conditions.

Whenever Jose Duran encountered a hurdle growing up, there was someone-a family member, a teacher, his boxing coach-to help him over it. Now the graduating University of Iowa student wants to be the one who helps others over their hurdles.

Katie Moore had no idea how worldly her education would be staying close to home and attending the University of Iowa.

A love of people and a passion for science education led Nicole Krois to pursue a career in dentistry. The University of Iowa has been there for her every step of the way.

Brennan Slater's lifelong love of the outdoors has turned into research on soils and water quality and a desire to find the right balance between human activities and the natural state. The senior from Davenport, Iowa, graduates in May with a degree in informatics.

Jimmy Smith knew he wanted to be a doctor. Through his undergraduate studies at the University of Iowa, he learned both inside and outside the classroom how he wants to practice medicine.

In December, more than 1,800 University of Iowa undergraduate, graduate, and professional students participated in ceremonies celebrating the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. As these students donned their caps and gowns-some of them the first in their family to do so-they embarked on a long journey that will forever be connected to their time at the UI as Hawkeyes.

Lyndsey DuBose chose the University of Iowa after hearing rave reviews about the university from a former Hawkeye rower. DuBose, from Texas, will earn a doctorate this December in health and human physiology, and will begin a postdoctoral fellowship to investigate aging on the blood vessel network in the human heart and brain.

Harsh Patel wants to solve problems and help people. Through the University of Iowa's combined bachelor's and master's degree program in computer science and engineering, he's well-positioned to do both-and perhaps develop the Next Big Thing.

Morgan Kofoid has landed not one but two great gigs after her December graduation from the University of Iowa College of Nursing: one in an intensive care unit and one in the limelight.

When Karl Ihrig started his academic journey, he was unaware of the world of business analytics. But in the Tippie College of Business, he found a program with the right focus and a place where he and his classmates could build a supportive and encouraging culture.

After discovering a passion for education while at the University of Iowa, Kaleb Farnham is making an impact as a student and teacher.

Suman Sherwani is well on her way to becoming a rocket scientist. The December 2019 graduate will stay at the University of Iowa to work as a design engineer on NASA-funded rocket and satellite missions in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

A family love connection saw Daniela Pacheco move from Costa Rica to the Midwest as a young adult. The ensuing period of major change culminated with Pacheco enrolling at Iowa, where she majored in marketing and made meaningful relationships. And she's started a firm with her source for inspiration: her mom.

Caleb Smith says the University of Iowa showed him that he can make a difference in the world-and he intends to do just that.

Sydney Blitchok initially chose the University of Iowa because of soccer, but she quickly discovered Iowa's stellar journalism and political science programs.

More than 4,800 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students at the University of Iowa recently participated in graduation ceremonies. The UI's spring 2019 graduates had an average cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.16 on a 4.0 scale. In addition, 16 percent of the graduating class graduated with multiple majors and 355 undergraduates graduated with honors. To learn more about the University of Iowa's 2019 spring graduates, click HERE. https://uiowa.edu/stories/university-iowa-spring-2019-graduates

Jesse Cochran -- one of more than 5,280 University of Iowa students to graduate in May 2019 - learned a lot while conducting research in a UI lab, and not just about heart disease. He found a model of professionalism and a newfound appreciation for discovery that's redefining his health care career path. University of Iowa student Jesse Cochran learned a lot while conducting research in a UI lab, and not just about heart disease. He found a model of professionalism and a newfound appreciation for discovery that's redefining his health care career path. From a fairly young age, University of Iowa undergraduate Jesse Cochran wanted to be a doctor. The Newton, Iowa native was curious about how the human body functions and how someday he could help people dealing with various afflictions. What Cochran didn't realize all those years ago is that the job titles of physician and researcher are not mutually exclusive. Now, he plans to be both of those things. "I never really thought that I would end up as a scientist or researcher," says Cochran, who in May will receive a degree in biology, chemistry, and biochemistry. "That's been a fairly recent development, which largely can be attributed to my research experiences at Iowa." Cochran performs research in the E. Dale Abel lab group, with a specific focus on heart disease, metabolism, and endocrinology. "Every day, 2,300 American lives are lost due to cardiovascular disease. My family has had a long history of heart failure," Cochran says. "My work hopes to elucidate the molecular underpinnings of this disease and to develop treatment strategies for these models." Conducting research has taught Cochran how to approach very complex and intricate problems: he breaks them down into simpler concepts and components. "From this reductionist view, I'm able to parse through the mechanisms leading to each component and then synthesize each section to obtain a more holistic perspective," he says. To read Jesse's full story, click HERE. To learn more about the University of Iowa's 2019 spring graduates, click HERE.

Josh Larson -- one of more than 5,280 University of Iowa students to graduate in May 2019 -- was attracted to the UI by a folder filled with space goodies. The Mount Pleasant, Iowa native graduates after finding a passion for plasma physics and building his own experiment for students.

University of Iowa business analytics student Emma Keefe -- one of more than 5,280 students who will graduate from the UI in May 2019 -- used all the resources the university has to offer to figure out what she wanted to do. It culminated with a job offer in the Twin Cities, which she accepted, with one caveat: she wanted to work in Iowa, a state she loves.

It did not take long for Fredrick Cherry Jr. -- one of more than 5,280 who will graduate from the University of Iowa in May -- to feel at home at the UI. Once there, he flourished under the tutelage of mentors, and has helped groom the next generation of people to do the same things that he has had the opportunity to do.

What do zebrafish and dance in the 1940s have in common? Both have been the objects of research by Mikaela Mallin, one of more than 5,280 University of Iowa student who will graduate from the UI in May 2019.

Jake Stone -- one of the more than 5,280 University of Iowa students to graduate in May 2019 -- is heading to the Baltimore Orioles organization after graduation. He says this was made possible by taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the University of Iowa's Sport and Recreation Management Program and his work with the Hawkeye baseball team.