Sonoma State University holds its 47th annual commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 24 in an event that historically draws more than 10,000 people to Commencement Lawn on the Rohnert Park campus.
Of the approximately 2,100 students eligible to graduate, more than 1,500 are expected to participate with their families and friends in attendance.
The ceremonies are scheduled at 9 a.m. for the School of Science and Technology and the School of Social Sciences and 3 p.m. for the School of Arts and Humanities, School of Business and Economics, and the School of Education.
Keynote speaker for both the morning and afternoon ceremony is Dr. Ruben "Hurricane" Carter, a former boxer, writer, human rights activist and Doctor of Laws. He is also and CEO & Founder of Innocence International, a new generation of wrongful conviction services.
Bobbie Holmes, an 81-year old Petaluma woman, graduates with a Studio Art degree on Saturday. Holmes is a retired elementary schoolteacher who turned to teaching third graders so she could help children learn to read. An African-American, she focused her talents on learning painting at SSU and features Black art images in her work.
Struck earlier in her life with rheumetoid arthritis, she plans to try to get her diploma with the help of a walker. Family members and friends have sworn they will carry her across the stage, if necessary, so she can get her degree. She will graduate with distinction.
Also walking Saturday is Dakota Decker of Petaluma, the youngest graduate from the Physics and Astronomy Department, at 18-years-old. Decker has been attending classes at SSU since he was 14 and graduates with a degree in physics. He has decided to go to UCLA and pursue a masters degree in mechanical engineering and then on to Ph.D. work.
Casey Thompson of Petaluma is also graduating with a degree in Art Studio. Little did he imagine he would be graduating from college with his mother, Renee Thompson, who will also pickup her degree in Liberal Studies.
A highlight of the Commencement ceremonies are the 14 large public art works created by sculpture students on display throughout the campus grounds. Stained glass windows depicting the world's top petroleum tycoons, cast bronzes of migratory bird flight patterns and chairs fashioned from discarded shipping pallets are some of the works on view through May 25.
Special graduation celebrations will be held on Friday, May 23 in addition to the Commencement on Saturday. They include:
Second Annual Rainbow Celebration, 7-9 p.m., Thursday, May 22, Multi-Purpose Room, Student Union - For queer, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, two-spirit, intersex, questioning, same-gender-loving people and their friends, family, and allies to celebrate.
La Raza Graduation, 5 p.m., Friday, May 23, Everet B. Person Theatre - For students with Native American, Latino or Chicano heritage , the ceremony includes cultural music, keynote speakers, and a unique opportunity for the graduates to thank the individuals who have assisted them in obtaining their degree. The bilingual ceremony is conducted in Spanish and English and is open to the public.
16th Annual African-American Graduation Celebration, 6 p.m., Friday, May 23, Cooperage - This celebration is an opportunity for the University to acknowledge the achievements of African-American students and allow the students to thank their families, friends, faculty and mentors.
The Commencement ceremonies will also be webcast through a link found on the home page, www.sonoma.edu.
For further information, visit the Commencement 2008 Web site located at www.sonoma.edu/uaffairs/commencement.
For further information, contact Jean Wasp, Media Relations Coordinator,
Sonoma State University, (707) 664-2057 or (707) 477-5729.
