ROHNERT PARK, Calif. – More than 2,000 students from across Sonoma State University’s five schools and 80-plus degree and certificate programs made their way across the Green Music Center stage on Saturday, May 18 as SSU held its 2024 Commencement ceremonies.
Dr. Nathan Evans, Acting President of the university, offered graduates special congratulations, saying that “you will always be a part of what makes Sonoma State a wonderful university, and we hope you feel the same way about what the campus has given you.”
He also acknowledged “the importance of this event in the context of the pandemic we all were in the midst of experiencing four years ago,” with public health measures in place that prevented many of those graduating Saturday from having “normal” high school graduations. “We cannot make that up to you today, but we will definitely make sure that this graduation will be one to remember,” Evans said.
A total of 2,065 SSU students received diplomas and certifications on Saturday in a single-day Commencement event. Thousands of family members and friends packed Weill Hall at Green Music Center and the large lawn behind it during three ceremonies: School of Social Sciences at 9 a.m., School of Arts and Humanities and School of Education at 1 p.m., and School of Business and School of Science and Technology at 5 p.m.
Graduates also were celebrated on Wednesday, May 15 at the annual “Toast of the Town” event held in their honor, as well as at various cultural graduation celebrations held in the week leading up to Commencement.