FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE           

April 26, 2005
Media Contact: Tom Uribes
(559) 278-5366 or 246-1717

EDITORS: Full 2005 Commencement schedule attached or see links at www.FresnoStateNews.com. See the 2005 Commencement News Web Site.

Class of 2005 Fresno State Commencement
Set for May 21 at Save Mart Center

The 94th Commencement at California State University, Fresno will be held on Saturday, May 21, at 10 a.m. in the Save Mart Center on campus.

Commencement Week activities will feature 20 different events, all on campus this year. Events begin on Friday, May 20 with six college or school convocations, several department programs throughout the day and the Graduate Degree Hooding Ceremony at 7:30 p.m.

After Saturday morning’s main University Commencement, the schedule of activities includes five more events ending with the Latino Commencement Celebration at 6 p.m. in the center.

The University Commencement Committee has been working throughout the semester on the various events as the Commencement enters its second year at the Save Mart Center.

The planning committee is coordinated through the Division of Student Affairs and consists of representatives from the various events, the Save Mart Center and other university offices involved in Commencement.

Gary Nelson, commencement coordinator in the Office of Student Activities and Leadership Development, said more than 26,400 people attended six events held at the Save Mart Cent for the first time last year. The main commencement ceremony attracted 7,500 persons.

This year, with seven of the 20 events scheduled in the center for the Class of 2005, he expects no major changes.

“We were very pleased with the Save Mart Center and received great feedback from grads, families and the public,” Nelson said. The only adjustment he foresees is having students report a half hour earlier, at 8:30 a.m.

More than 4,000 students earn baccalaureate or master’s degrees annually at Fresno State. Last year, 2,500 participated in the main ceremony. In addition, Fresno State confers five to 15 students with doctoral degrees a year in educational leadership, offered jointly with the University of California.

Students can purchase their cap and gowns in the Kennel Bookstore, where more than 2,000 sets have been sold to date, reports Kim Spencer, assistant merchandizing buyer for Kennel.  

A general information pamphlet on Commencement is available in the bookstore or online. Graduation announcements are also available but students are advised to order soon and allow two weeks for delivery, Spencer said. (See links at FresnoStateNews.com).

Formal photographs are scheduled for May 19 at the Smittcamp Alumni House. For portrait information, call the Fresno State Alumni Association at 278-2586.

New features for grads this year are the Senior Experience Web site and the “Bulldog B.A.R.K.: A Guide for Seniors” handbook, produced by the Academic Enhancement Services.

The Senior Experience Web site targets students who have completed 90 or more units and encourages students to make the most of their Senior Experience. The Web site offers specific information on graduation requirements, commencement and graduation ceremonies, resume and professional portfolio development, a checklist for graduation and frequently asked questions. The URL is http://seniors.csufresno.edu/.

The full schedule of the celebrations and ceremonies held during Commencement Week is available through links at www.FresnoStateNews.com. 

Information: (559) 278-2741 or visit the Commencement News Web site at http://www.fresnostate.net/NEWS0405/COMMT05/index.html where more details will be updated regularly.

###