Commencement festivities set

By MICHAEL CULVER

Fresno State’s 94th commencement ceremony will be held at the Save Mart Center on May 21, at 10 a.m.

Each college will also hold its own graduation ceremony.

Last year’s ceremonies attracted more than 26,400 people and the main commencement ceremony attracted more than 7,500. Attendance is expected to be about the same this year, said Gary Nelson, the commencement coordinator in the office of student activities and leadership development.

This is the second year the activities and ceremonies have been held at the Save Mart Center. Describing last years events, Nelson said, “We were very pleased with the Save Mart Center and received great feedback from grads, families and the public.”

Commencement activities will begin with the College of Engineering and Computer Science program at 8 a.m. on May 20. Friday’s events will culminate with the hooding ceremony, a tradition that dates back to medieval times with roots in Europe’s first universities.

In the 2004 ceremony, 3,075 bachelors, 707 masters and six doctoral degrees were awarded. In the 2005 ceremony, an estimated 3,498 bachelors, 894 masters and 11 doctoral degrees will be awarded. This year, there will be a total of 4,403 degrees awarded, 615 more than last year.

Of the 4,403 students, one undergraduate and one graduate from each of the eight colleges, and one undergraduate and one graduate student chosen from the Division of Student Affairs will be chosen for the dean’s medal for each college during the ceremonies held Friday.

According to a university Web site, these students were chosen not only for their academic excellence, but also for their contribution to Fresno State and for their contributions to the community.

The nine undergraduates who win the dean’s medal for their respective colleges are nominated for the President’s Medal, an award given for student of the year. “It’s given to the top student graduating each year,” Nelson said. This is the highest honor the university bestows on a graduating student.

Each of the nine dean’s graduate medal recipients and students from the doctoral programs are eligible for the university graduate medal, the highest award given to a graduating masters or doctoral student.

The university-wide commencement ceremony also will involve a variety of speeches and honors. Among these, two honorary doctoral degrees will be awarded.

Fresno State will confer the highest CSU honorary doctoral degrees to Sister Ruth Marie Nickerson, a local nun known for her community involvement, and Richard A. Johanson, a local educator, during Saturday’s commencement ceremony.

According to a university Web site, “Sister Ruth’s advocacy for long-term sustainable change in the health status of Valley residents drove the creation of the Central Valley Health Policy Institute within the College of Health and Human Services in Fresno State. First envisioned as a concept in 2000, by mid-2003, the institute became a reality with a $4-million, five-year partnership between The California Endowment and Fresno State. Through her vision, an important link has been forged between higher education and health care in the Central California region.”

In regards to Johanson, the Web site said, “Johanson’s work in the community has spanned K-12 and higher education, business organizations, service organizations, healthcare, cultural groups and museums. He has served on the governing board of numerous organizations. He also has actively served in political campaigns and in bond efforts supporting education. Johanson is a longtime supporter of both the academic and athletic interests of Fresno State. He serves on the university’s Foundation Board of Governor’s and the Craig School’s Business Advisory Council.”