The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) named Fresno State as one of five finalists for its 2016 Project Degree Completion Award.

Fresno State was recognized for its work to promote the retention and graduation rate of students. ­

The university launched the Graduation Rate Initiative in 2009 to improve student success and degree completion.

Since then, there has been a 10 percent increase in six-year graduation rates for first-time and full-time freshmens.

The winner will be awarded $15,000 and announced at the APLU annual meeting Nov. 13 to 15 in Austin, Texas.