NOTE: See the Commencement News Web Site at activities,News.com for general info about Commencement. Parking is free at the Save Mart Center and on campus parking lots for all commencement activities. Media parking is in the Bulldog Lot on Chestnut and Shaw. Routine bag inspection will be conducted at the Save Mart Center entrances. Helium balloons and signs will not be allowed into the center. Concession stands in the arena will be open for water and soft drink purchases only.
LInc,, Commencement, African American Recognition, International Student Convocation
The Marquez family, owners of Marquez Brothers Internationa22),c., will be honored at this year’s Latino Commencement in the Save Mart Center at California State University, Fresno on Saturday night (May 22).
Marquez Brothers is a family owned corporation with affiliates in the United States, including Fresno, that produces and distributes Mexican style dairy prAmerica,meat items and canned goods. Marquez Brothers is also a major importer of national leading branded grocery items from Mexico and Central America.
Three celebrations, all free and open to the public, honoring ethnic minority students who are graduating will be held Saturday at Fresno State following the university’s General Commencement in the morning:
• The Latino Commencement Celebration at 6:30 p.m. in the Save Mart Center;
• The African-American Recognition Ceremony at 2 p.m. in the Save Mart Center.
• The Convocation and Reception for Graduating International Students from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Residence Dinincomll
Latino Commencement Celebration Honors Marquez Brothers
Entertainment for the 28th Annual Latino Commencement Celebration will begin at 5:45 p.m. and the ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the Academic Procession,
The Latino Commencement Celebration, housed in the College of Social Sciences, recognizes and honors Latino students who are graduating. It is one of the largest in the nation in attendance, said Dr. Luz Gonzalez, Latino Commencement coordinator and dean ad interim of the College of Social Science. Last year, approximately 14,000 family members and guests attended the ceremony, she explained,
The Marquez family arrived in the United States from Lagos de Moreno, Jalisco, Mexico in the late 1960s, Gonzalez said.
“They overcame tremendous obstacles to earn the right to wield influence in some of the most powerful circles,” she said. “They bring with them a rich cultural heritage and the highest respect and admiration from Latinos in the San Joaquin Valley and beyond,”
Marquez Brothers International began producing Mexican style cheese in 1981 in a small plant in San Jose, California, Today, it operates from a state-of-the-art facility located in the heart of California’s prime dairy land. Another plant, located near Los Angeles, produces the highest quality traditional chorizos and premium longaniza.
The company’s offerings now include more than 1,000 Mexican and Central American grocery products, most imported or manufactured in their own international plants.
In December of 1998, the company moved its International headquarters and San Francisco Bay Area distribution center to a new facility located in south San Jose. By early 2002, both Central and Southern California divisions had moved into new facilities owned by the company.
For more information about the Latino Commencement, call (559) 278-3013.
African/American Recognition Program Features Jackson, Gospel Choir
The 19th Annual African American Recognition Program will be on Saturday, May 22, at 2 .m. in the Save Mart Center,
The program features a procession, musical selections by the celebrated Fresno State Gospel
Choir, and keynote address by Dr. Jerome E. Jackson, Criminology professor at Fresno State.
Administrators, faculty, and staff will participate in the graduate procession and join in honoring the 2003-2004 African American graduating class through a traditional African “Rite of Passage” ceremony, said Maxine McDonald, executive director of Academic Enhancement Services who coordinates the event.
The pre-program entertainment will start about 1:15 pm and will feature the Fresno State Gospel Choir, a children’s dance group and soloist Natasha Carter, who is a graduating.
For more information, contact McDonald at 278-5352 or email maxinem@csufresno.edu.
2004 Convocation and Reception for Graduating International Students
The Convocation and Reception for Graduating International Students will be held in the Residence Dining Hall at Fresno State from 2 to 4 p.m. for about 238 degree candidates.
Participating students include 137 master’s candidates and 101 bachelor’s candidates.
For more information, check the Blackboard update, contact the international Student Services and Programs office at 278-2782 or e-mail Dr. Katsuyo Howard at katsuyohcsufresno.edu.
EDITORS and NEWS/PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTORS: Press releases can be downloaded at www.fresnostatenews.com. University Relations also provides releases for news media companies via e¬mail, To be added to the distribution list, send your email address to tomu@csufresno.edu.
