Fresno State will celebrate the achievements of its graduates with a collection of commencement events scheduled this week, including ceremonies for the University’s eight schools and colleges and other various programs and diverse offerings.
College/department celebrations May 18
Several department and college/school commencements will be held on Friday, the day before commencement (press release on main commencement to come):
- Craig School of Business, 8 a.m. at the Save Mart Center.
- Sociology Department, 8 a.m. at the Peters Educational Center.
- Department of Public Health, 8 a.m. at the Satellite Student Union.
- Lyles College of Engineering, 9 a.m. at the Student Recreation Center.
- Kinesiology Masters Hooding Ceremony, 9 a.m. at the North Gym (Room 118).
- Department of Social Work Education, 9:30 a.m. at the Paul Paul Theater, Fresno fairgrounds.
- College of Social Sciences, 10:15 a.m. at the Save Mart Center.
- Doctor of Physical Therapy Graduation Ceremony, 11 a.m. at Wedgewood Fresno.
- Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony, 11:30 a.m. at the Satellite Student Union. Major General Lawrence Haskins, commander of the California Army National Guard, will be the guest speaker.
- Department of Kinesiology Commencement Celebration, noon at the Student Recreation Center.
- College of Arts and Humanities, 12:30 p.m. at the Save Mart Center.
- Health Careers Opportunities Program, 1 p.m. at the University Business Auditorium (Room 191).
- Recreation Administration Senior Celebration, 2 p.m. at the North Gym (Room 118).
- Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, 2:45 p.m. at the Save Mart Center.
- Nursing Master’s Hooding Ceremony, 4 p.m. at the Peters Educational Center.
- Communicative Sciences and Deaf Studies, 4 p.m. at the Student Recreation Center.
- College of Science and Mathematics, 5 p.m. at the Save Mart Center.
- Athletic Training Promotion Ceremony, 5 p.m. at the North Gym (Room 118).
- Nursing Doctoral Hooding Ceremony, 6:30 p.m. at the Peters Education Center.
- Kremen School of Education and Human Development, 7:15 p.m. at the Save Mart Center.
American Indian Graduation Honoring and dinner May 18
The American Indian Faculty and Staff Association will hold its annual Graduation Honoring and dinner at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 18, celebrating the 2018 American Indian graduating class.
College Assistance Migrant Program May 19
The College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) Migrant Student Graduation is at noon on Saturday, May 19, at the North Gym (Room 118). Roberto Vaca will be the keynote speaker for the event.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Graduation Ceremony May 19
The Asian American and Pacific Islander Graduation Ceremony will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at the Student Recreation Center, adjacent to the Save Mart Center. Dr. Kyle A. Reyes, vice president of student affairs at Utah Valley University, will be the keynote speaker.
African American Recognition Program May 19
The African American Recognition Program is at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at the Save Mart Center. Fresno City Councilmember Oliver Baines will give the keynote address. Baines, who is a Fresno State alumnus, represents District 3.
International Students Commencement Celebration May 19
The International Students Commencement Celebration will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at the Satellite Student Union. Provost Lynnette Zelezny will speak at the celebration.
Rainbow Graduation Celebration May 19
Robin Johnston McGehee, a faculty member at the College of the Sequoias in Visalia, will deliver the keynote for Fresno State’s fifth annual Rainbow Graduation Celebration from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at the University’s Peters Educational Center in the Student Recreation Center. Leonard Serrato Jr., the Dean’s Graduate Medalist for the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, and Arielle Jones, graduating with a master’s in creative writing, will be the class speakers. INFO: Peter Robertson at probertson@csufresno.edu or 559.278.4669.
Chicano/Latino Commencement Celebration May 19
The 42nd annual Chicano/Latino Commencement Celebration will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Save Mart Center. Two Fresno State alumni will be presented with the Bold Visionary Legacy Award.
Frances Peña-Olgin, a Fresno State alumna who earned her bachelor’s in criminology in 1976 and a master’s in social work in 1979, retired as director of University Outreach and Recruitment in 2015. She was also instrumental in the creation of the Outreach Dream Center for DACA students. Peña-Olgin was also a member of the planning committee that founded the Chicano\Latino Commencement Celebration and planned it for 17 years.
Raúl Z. Moreno graduated with a bachelor’s in Spanish in 1984 and a master’s in applied linguistics in 1987, despite the challenges he overcame as a migrant field worker. Moreno dedicated his career to assisting other migrant students in reaching their academic and professional potential. In 1987, he was part of the team that created the University Migrant Services program at Fresno State.
A record 1,075 applications for the class of 2018 celebration have been received, said Dr. Victor Torres, coordinator of the celebration. He said it is the largest Latino commencement celebration in the nation, with attendance last year reaching peak capacity of just under 14,000. Fresno State’s Los Danzantes de Aztlán and its mariachi will begin the pre-event activities with traditional folk dances and music at 5:15 pm.
