Commencement Set for May 22

The 93rd Commencement at California State University, Fresno will be held on Saturday, May 22 in its new home: the Save Mart Center on campus.

The move from Bulldog Stadium marks the end of the first academic year for the new 18,000-seat center that opened in November.

Commencement Week activities -- featuring 21 different events in several locations on campus as well as two off campus -- begins with the Fresno State/COS Center Celebration in Visalia on May 15 and ends with the Nursing Pinning Ceremony on May 23 at the LaRyan Center in Fresno.

In addition to the general Commencement, six other events also will move to the Save Mart Center including two of the larger celebrations: the Graduate Degree Hooding Ceremony on Friday, May 21 at 7:30 p.m.; and the Latino Commencement Celebration on Saturday, May 22 at 6 p.m.

The University's Commencement Committee, coordinated through the Division of Student Affairs, has been working throughout the semester for the transition and will soon announce details on the various events as well as guidelines for the new venue, said Gary Nelson, commencement coordinator in the Office of Student Activities and Leadership Development. The committee consists of representatives from the various events, the Save Mart Center and other university offices involved in Commencement.

More than 4,000 students earn baccalaureate or masters degrees annually at Fresno State. About five to 15 students a year are conferred doctoral degrees in educational leadership, offered jointly with the University of California.

Students can purchase their cap and gowns in the Kennel Bookstore. A general information pamphlet is available in the bookstore or online.

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

Information: (559) 278-2741 or visit http://studentaffairs.csufresno.edu/studentact/portal-events/commencement.htm.

Contacts: Tom Uribes, (559) 278-5366 or 246-1717