Three special celebrations honoring the graduation of La Raza, African-American, and Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-Transgendered students will take place on the Sonoma State University campus on Friday, May 25.
These special ceremonies are organized by students themselves to laud their college efforts and achievements. Graduates in these ceremonies also take part in the university-wide Commencement 2007 ceremony on Saturday, May 26.
LA RAZA CELEBRATION
Each year graduating Sonoma State University students with Native American, Latino or Chicano heritage gather for the annual La Raza graduation celebration.
This year's 30th annual La Raza ceremony is at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 25 in Evert B. Person Theatre. The ceremony includes cultural music, bilingual keynote speakers, and a unique opportunity for the graduates to thank the individuals who have assisted them in obtaining their degree.
A reception follows and provides personal time for graduates, family, faculty, and friends to celebrate with traditional food and music.
Many of the graduates participating in the La Raza ceremony are first generation college graduates, and this special celebration allows them to personally thank those who have gone out of their way to work with the students and help them achieve the goal of a college degree.
The event is co-sponsored by Raza/Native American Council and Chicano and Latino Studies. The bilingual ceremony is conducted in Spanish and English and is open to the public.
AFRICAN-AMERICAN CELEBRATION
The 15th annual African-American Celebration by Black Scholars United takes place at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 25 in the Cooperage. The celebration is an opportunity for the University to acknowledge the achievements of African-American students and the students to thank their families, friends, faculty and mentors. SSU president Ruben Arminana will greet the graduates and the program will feature a student speaker and guest speaker. A reception follows the celebration.
FIRST ANNUAL RAINBOW CELEBRATION
Rainbow Graduation is a time for the queer, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, two-spirit, intersex, questioning, same-gender-loving people and their friends, family, and allies of Sonoma State University to come together to celebrate the accomplishments of the last year.
The ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 24 from 7-9 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room of the Sonoma Student Union. Please RSVP to Julie Greathouse, Coordinator for Student Academic Services at julie.greathouse@sonoma.edu.
For more information on Commencement 2007, contact Susan Kashack, Commencement Coordinator, (707) 664-2122 or kashack@sonoma.edu.
