Sonoma State University will confer degrees to its largest class in its 57-year history this weekend. In all, 2,706 graduates will be taking part in commencement ceremonies on May 19 and 20.
“It has been a challenging year for our campus community,” President Judy Sakaki said in reference to the October firestorms that decimated Sonoma County and the events of this past week. “But no group reflects our resilience better than our graduating seniors. All of their hard work and perseverance have paid off, and we look forward to celebrating with them this weekend.”
For the second consecutive year, the ceremonies will be held at the Green Music Center inside Weill Hall. Family members and friends of the graduates also will be watching the ceremonies from the lawn area outside Weill Hall. A video broadcast of all six ceremonies will be streamed live online at commencement.sonoma.edu. “We want everyone to be able to share in this important and memorable event,” said Sakaki.
Here is a breakdown of the schedule of ceremonies this weekend along with the degrees that will be conferred:
Saturday, May 19, 2018
School of Business and Economics – 8 a.m.
Business Administration
Economics
School of Science and Technology – 1 p.m.
Applied Statistics
Biochemistry
Biology
Chemistry
Computer and Engineering Science
Computer Science
Earth Science
Electrical Engineering
Geology
Interdisciplinary Studies/Special Major
Kinesiology
Mathematics
Nursing
Physics
Statistics
School of Arts and Humanities – 5 p.m.
American Multicultural Studies
Art
Art History
Chicano and Latino Studies
Communication Studies
English
Fine Arts
French
Liberal Studies (Hutchins School)
Music
Organization Development
Philosophy
Spanish
Special Major: German Cultural Studies
Theatre Arts
Sunday, May 20, 2018
School of Social Science A – 8 a.m.
Anthropology
Counseling
Cultural Resources Management
History
Human Development
Political Science
Psychology
Public Administration
School of Social Science B – 1 p.m.
Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies
Environmental Studies and Planning
Global Studies
Geography
Liberal Studies
Sociology
Women’s and Gender Studies
School of Education – 5 p.m.
Early Childhood Studies
Education
Honorary Doctorates
This year's honorary doctorates are retired Professor of Education H. Andréa Neves and a longtime Northern California advocate for the underserved, George L. Ortiz. Each will be honored during Commencement ceremonies on Sunday.
“Both serve as shining examples of the human capacity to elevate others through service,” said Sakaki.
Ortiz’s degree will be conferred by CSU Trustee Chair Adam Day at the School of Social Sciences ceremony at 1 p.m., and Neves’ conferral will be at the School of Education ceremony at 5 p.m. that evening.
Banner Carriers
Each of Sonoma State University's five schools selects a student as its banner carrier for the annual commencement ceremony. The banner carriers are students who have made significant contributions to their major department and their school. This year's banner carriers are: Jun Young (Arts and Humanities); Vanessa Aguillard (Business & Economics); Carolyn Samples-Alarie (Education); English Knowles (Science and Technology); Zachary Faerber and Sherri Davenport (Social Sciences).
School: Arts and Humanities
Student: Jun Young
Major: BA in English
School: Business and Economics
Student: Vanessa Aguillard
Degree: BA in Business Administration
School: Education
Student: Carolyn Samples-Alarie
Degree: MA in Education (concentration in Special Education)
School: Science & Technology
Student: English Knowles
Degree: BA in Nursing
School: Social Sciences- Ceremony A
Student: Zachary Faerber
Degree: BA in Anthropology, BA
School: Social Sciences- Ceremony B
Student: Sherri Davenport
Degree: BA in Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies, BA
Student Speakers
School: Arts and Humanities
Student: Cedric De Rosas
Major: BA in American Multicultural Studies
School: Business and Economics
Student: Vanessa Aguillard
Degree: BA in Business Administration
School: Education
Student: Maya Thompson
Degree: BA in Early Childhood Studies
School: Education
Student: Leila Myers
Degree: Credential Candidate
School: Science & Technology
Student: Emma Townslee
Degree: BA in Biology
School: Social Sciences- Ceremony A
Student: Maria Nolasco Ramirez
Degree: BA in Anthropology,
School: Social Sciences- Ceremony B
Student: Sastra McGinley
Degree: BA in Environmental Studies
Cultural Graduation Ceremonies
Sonoma State is hosting cultural graduation ceremonies prior to the weekend commencement ceremonies, including Raza Grad, Black Grad, API (Asian Pacific Islander) Grad, and Rainbow Grad (LGBTQ).
A reception follows the individual ceremonies, welcoming all cultural graduation participants, friends, allies and families to celebrate this momentous occasion with a dinner buffet and performances from ensembles representing the different cultures in attendance.
Rainbow Grad
Thursday, May 17, 3 p.m., Student Center Ballroom B
Raza Grad
Thursday, May 17, 3 p.m., Weill Hall in the Green Music Center
Black Grad
Friday, May 18, 4 p.m., Person Theater
API Grad
Friday, May 18, 4:30 p.m., The Cooperage
Cultural Graduation Reception (with refreshments and entertainment)
Friday, May 18, 6 p.m., Student Center Ballroom
Social Media
The official commencement hashtag is #SonomaState. Check out Sonoma State University on Facebook, Twitter (@SSU_1961) and Instagram (@SonomaStateUniversity) for updates and to follow the day's events.
For further information, visit the commencement website at http://commencement.sonoma.edu/.