For the first time since moving to the Save Mart Center in 2004, the University Commencement ceremony at Fresno State will move from morning to the afternoon.

The 108th University Commencement ceremony will take place at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at the Save Mart Center.

At the University Commencement ceremony, Fresno State President Joseph I. Castro formally confers undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degrees to all students who have graduated during the past academic year. This especially unique University-wide ceremony is Fresno State’s only commencement event where degrees are officially conferred to graduates. All graduates and their guests are encouraged to attend the University Commencement ceremony that celebrates all graduates’ achievements.

Another change this year — and the reason the time of the University Commencement Ceremony shifted — is that all eight schools and colleges on campus will also recognize their graduates at separate ceremonies in the Save Mart Center, either on Friday, May 17, or on Saturday, May 18. Graduating students who attend their college- and school-specific ceremonies are also encouraged to attend the main University Commencement.

Fresno State will host a reception for all Fresno State graduates, their friends and families from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 18, on the south lawn of the Save Mart Center. More details will be coming soon.

The scheduled ceremony times are as follows:

Friday, May 17

  • 8 a.m. — Craig School of Business
  • 10:15 a.m. — College of Social Sciences
  • 12:30 p.m. — College of Arts and Humanities
  • 2:45 p.m. — Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology
  • 5 p.m. — College of Science and Mathematics
  • 7:15 p.m. — Kremen School of Education and Human Development

Saturday, May 18

  • 8 a.m. — Lyles College of Engineering
  • 10:15 a.m. — College of Health and Human Services
  • 1:30 p.m. — University Commencement

Grad Fest, presented by the Fresno State Alumni Association on March 12 and 13, is the official kickoff to graduation. At Grad Fest, students who will be graduating can pre-order a grad box, which includes their cap, gown and tassel, along with several other commemorative items.

A full schedule of Commencement weekend events and activities, including the diverse offering of affinity group celebrations, can be found at www.fresnostate.edu/commencement. For questions regarding Commencement ceremonies and activities, contact commencement@csufresno.edu, 559.278.2741 or visit the University Student Union (Room 306). Follow hashtag #FresnoStateGrad for updates in the coming weeks and months.