Sweet Relief
Begun many decades ago, it has been a tradition to ceremoniously bestow a sweet commemorative lollipop with the coveted PhinisheD or Mastered It! labels to graduate students as they file their completed dissertation or thesis at Sproul Hall. Photos abound of proud graduates with their coveted See’s Candy lollipop. Some give them to their children while many frame them in photo boxes, but everyone has a special lollipop memory. It’s the culmination of many years of hard work crystallized into a bite-size morsel.
“When the lollipop shows up, you’ll know it’s really done!”
Britney Stewart Director of Degrees, UC Berkeley Graduate Division
Let’s celebrate!
When the pandemic threw a wrench into our in-person lollipop distribution plan, we began delivering these by mail so no matter where our students were in the world, they could still celebrate this sweet moment.
Now, in person lollipop giveaways are back!
Look out for an email from the Degrees Team with notification of your filing and invitation to pick up your PhinisheD or Mastered It! See’s Lollipop in person in Sproul Hall. Per tradition, you’re not truly done until you get it! Unable to pick up your lollipop in person? Contact degreesscans@berkeley to request that your lollipop be mailed to you.
Though just one small, comforting token for such a large personal achievement, the lollipop is cherished by grads like Marianne Brasil who filed her Ph.D. in Integrative Biology, and Sarah Stoller who filed her Ph.D. in History and had initially lamented the potential loss of her lollipop until it showed up at her door.
On behalf of the entire Graduate Division Staff, we would like to wish every new graduate the best in their career aspirations as they go forth to improve our world!
Share your moment with us
Just received your lollipop? Tag us on Instagram and X (Twitter) with a photo of you and your PhinisheD or Mastered It! See’s Lollipop.