Saturday, May 23 marks SSU's 37th annual Commencement ceremonies. More than 1,300 students will graduate. Total attendance of graduates and their guests is expected to exceed 13,000.
Once again, the Commencement ceremonies take place at two separate times: the 10 a.m. ceremony honors graduates of the Schools of the Natural Sciences and Social Sciences; the 3 p.m. ceremony honors graduates of the Schools of Arts and Humanities, Business and Economics, and Education.
Reservations and tickets are not needed; parking is free in designated areas. For more information, contact Anne Handley, Commencement Coordinator, 664-2018.
Commencement Speaker
This year, SSU is honored to have as Commencement Speaker Dr. Celestino Fernandez, Ph.D. Fernandez is executive vice president and provost of the Arizona International Campus at the University of Arizona in Tucson. With more than 20 years of experience as a faculty member and an administrator, Fernandez had also served as vice president for academic outreach and international affairs, vice president for academic services and undergraduate education, and professor of sociology.
Fernandez earned an A.A. degree from Santa Rosa Junior College and a B.A. in sociology from Sonoma State University in 1973. He continued his education at Stanford University, where he completed an M.A. and doctorate in sociology by 1976.
A naturalized United States citizen, Dr. Fernandez was born in central Mexico in a small town in the state of Michoacan. His family immigrated to Santa Rosa when he was eight years old, and he credits his bicultural/bilingual background with facilitating an appreciation and understanding of sociology, culture and society.
Student Speakers
Yvonne Anderson-Coleman: (10 a.m. ceremony)
Yvonne will receive her bachelor's degree in sociology. Her speech is entitled "The Torch of Knowledge" and will be delivered to the graduates at the morning ceremony.
Yvonne's career goal is to become a licensed social worker. In preparing for a career in social work, she has been an active volunteer in several community services, including the YMCA, Women Against Rape, and battered women's shelters. She has also counseled pregnant teens and has actively sponsored individuals with drug dependencies.
"I have a passion for caring for others. My goal is to receive the best training I can to help me in working with people who are disadvantaged and in need," said Yvonne.
Yvonne is applying to graduate schools to strengthen her qualifications as a social worker. Ultimately, she says, she would like to pursue a law degree and become an advocate for children's rights. Yvonne has four children of her own and says, "These little miracles have shown me that any obstacle can be overcome."
Of her time at Sonoma State University she says, "I've become aware of who I am and of where I'm going. Thanks to my professors and colleagues, I have been given more tools and greater confidence."
Ross David Hause:(3 p.m. ceremony)
Ross will graduate with a degree from the Hutchins School of Liberal Studies. His speech, "Creating the Script of Life" will be addressed to his fellow graduates at the afternoon ceremony.
A native of Santa Rosa, Ross transferred to SSU from Santa Rosa Junior College in fall 1996. Along with volunteering in elementary classrooms, Ross is also active outside of the classroom, as a coach of youth and high school soccer teams. Before sustaining a serious leg injury, he had hoped to continue his collegiate soccer career at Sonoma State University.
Of his past two years Ross says, "Hutchins has been one of the most life changing and successful forms of education focused on actually developing people, that I've ever experienced."
After graduation, Ross plans to begin the multiple subject credential program and hopes to complete the program with his student teaching next Spring. Once credentialed, he would like to spend either a year in Brazil or a term in the Peace Corps, teaching English.
"I think as a person and as a teacher there's so much more that I will be able to bring to the classroom after teaching abroad," he says. Ross gives thanks to his family, close friends, and "most definitely" his Hutchins professors.
Honorary Degree Recipients
This year, Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree will be bestowed by the CSU system at the SSU commencement ceremony to:
Donald Green: A prominent leader in the rapidly expanding telecommunications industry, Green founded three companies, Digital Telephone Systems, Optilink Corp., and Advanced Fibre Communications. These companies have garnered the attention of the industry nationally. He is widely considered to be the "father" of the many telecommunications companies which have developed in the North Bay region in the past 25 years.
With a love for Baroque music, Don Green has been an active member of the Sonoma County Bach Choir, under the direction of Sonoma State University, for the past decade. Along with his wife, Maureen, he is committed to enhancing the quality of music instruction and performing arts venues in this region. As a result, the Greens have pledged $5 million and another $5 million matching gift to Sonoma State University for construction of a concert hall.
In addition to his generous philanthropy, Donald Green is an active member of the National Audubon Society, the Nature Conservancy, the United Way, and the Chambers of Commerce of both Petaluma and Santa Rosa. He also has been a long-time leader in the Boy Scouts.
Born in Liverpool, England, Donald and his family immigrated to Canada in 1956, and to the United States in 1960. He was educated at the Institution of Electrical Engineers in London, England.
Maureen Green: As alumna of Sonoma State University, Maureen Green is a dedicated member of the Sonoma County Bach Choir and active organizer of the Bach Society. Prior to moving to Sonoma County ten years ago, Maureen managed the San Francisco Bach Choir and was noted for her outstanding fundraising efforts for classical music events in the Bay Area. Along with her husband, Maureen Green envisions a new choral facility on the Sonoma State University campus that will become the center for vibrant musical and performing arts program in this region.
Maureen Green is equally passionate about two other causes: adoption of children, and animal rights. With her husband, she co-founded the Carriage Trade, a community group which is dedicated to promoting the adoption of children and works together with the California Department of Social Services. The Greens have four natural children and two adopted children.
Maureen Green is an avid supporter of the Santa Rosa Humane Society, the Marin County Humane Society, and numerous other charities that focus on the prevention of cruelty to animals.
Maureen Green is a native of London, England.
