Sonoma State University awards degrees to the Class of 2015 at its 54th annual commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 16.
Approximately 2,000 are expected to walk for their diplomas with their families and friends watching that day. This year, the California State University system celebrates its three million graduates and is commemorating the milestone by connecting alumni from all 23 campuses with a virtual yearbook at https://classof3million.calstate.edu/.
The event historically draws more than 10,000 people to the Commencement Lawn on the Rohnert Park campus. Ceremonies will be held rain or shine.
A video broadcast of the ceremony will be streamed live Saturday from the SSU home page at http://www.sonoma.edu. Those on campus can view it in the main ballroom on the third floor of the Student Center. The ceremony can also be viewed on mobile devices with the Livestream app, available free on Apple and Android devices.
Schedule of Ceremonies:
9 a.m.-noon: School of Arts and Humanities, School of Business and Economics, School of Education
3-6 p.m.: School of Science and Technology, School of Social Sciences
Keynote and Student Speakers
Keynote speaker for both the morning and afternoon ceremonies is Congressman Mike Thompson who represents California's 5th Congressional District, which includes all of Napa and parts of Contra Costa, Lake, Solano and Sonoma Counties
Thompson is recognized in Congress and throughout his district as a moderate Democrat who has built a solid reputation for bi-partisan problem solving. While serving in the State Senate he authored California's landmark Welfare Reform Act. He is currently a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Thompson is also the co-founder and co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Wine Caucus, a member and former co-chair of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, and a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, composed of moderate Democrats dedicated to a core set of beliefs - such as fiscal responsibility and national security - that transcend partisan politics.
Student speakers include Sasha-Rose Wroten in the morning ceremony and Bianca Zamora at the afternoon event.
Public Sculpture Tour on Campus
A public sculpture exhibit is also on display on the campus through May 16. COMMENCE: 2015 features works by 11 SSU art students. Part of Professor Jann Nunn's public art curriculum, the project showcases the work of students pursuing BA and BFA degrees in art studio.
Themes range from political, such as states funding prison over education, to social, such as online dating. The wide variety of sculptural approaches, materials and techniques used include figurative cast bronze, welded and fabricated steel, process and community-engaged interactions.
Social Media
SSU is using #SonomaState as the official social media hashtag for Commencement on May 16. Sonoma State University can be followed Saturday on Facebook, Twitter (@SSU_1961) and Instagram (@SonomaStateUniversity).
For further information, visit the Commencement 2015 website at http://www.sonoma.edu/uaffairs/commencement/.