California State University, Fresno’s 100th Commencement at 9:30 a.m. May 21 at the Save Mart Center will culminate a yearlong celebration of the university’s Centennial.

Commencement highlights a busy week of activities for baccalaureate candidates and those receiving advanced degrees, including 16 college and school convocations and department and program celebrations the day before, May 20.

There are five celebrations on campus after Commencement, ending with the largest at 6 p.m. — the Latino Commencement Celebration also at the Save Mart Center.

On June 2, the Air Force ROTC pinning ceremony at the Leon S. and Pete P. Peters Educational Center in the Student Recreation Center will be the final event of Fresno State’s Centennial Commencement season. View the full schedule online.

The university will mark its 100th anniversary in many ways at Commencement:

  • The Fresno State Orchestra will perform for 30 minutes leading up to the procession at 9:30. The orchestra is under the baton of Dr. Thomas Loewenheim, a recent winner of a Provost’s Award for Promising New Faculty.
  • During the ceremony, the orchestra we perform Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1,” “The Grand Marshal” from Verdi’s “Aida,” Mussorgsky’s “Procession of the Nobles,” Walton’s “Crown Imperial” (performed at the recent royal wedding) and alumnus John Bliss’ composition for the university’s Centennial, “Centennial Tribute.”
  • The first 1,600 graduating students who check in Saturday will receive a Centennial commemorative lapel pin as a gift from the Fresno State Alumni Association, and a gold commemorative Centennial stole, a gift from the Division of Student Affairs. Check-in begins 7 a.m.  If the supply runs out and for those who do not attend the ceremony, a pin and stole can be ordered for $25 at the Kennel Bookstore for delivery in August.
  • All tassels this year bear the Centennial medallion and are available for purchase with regalia at the Kennel Bookstore. A Centennial medallion zipper pull for the gown that later can be attached to a key ring is available for $8.99.

The Commencement is organized by a planning committee, coordinated by the Division of Student Affairs. Individual convocations and celebrations are organized by colleges/schools and programs in partnership with the committee.

About 1,300 graduates participated and about 9,000 guests attended the 2010 Commencement, said Gary Nelson, Commencement coordinator in the Office of Student Activities and Leadership Development.

The Centennial observance this year is expected to increase participation and attendance, so overflow seating will be available in the Student Recreation Center adjacent to the Save Mart Center. A live video feed will broadcast the proceedings as they happen.

A tally of degree applications is expected to be released next week, but not all walk in the ceremony.

Parking and traffic

 

Parking May 21 will be free in all campus lots, including the Save Mart Center lots. However, the University Police Department has issued a traffic advisory because the California Classic Weekend bicycling event is scheduled that day on Freeway 168.
While there will be no impact on motorists using Freeway 168 from the south. Those trying to reach campus from the foothills or northern Clovis, though, will have to use surface streets because the freeway’s westbound lanes will be closed 7-10 a.m. from Shepherd Avenue to McKinley Avenue for the bicycle competition.

“Anyone who plans to travel Freeway 168 from the north to reach campus for Commencement   should use alternate southbound routes such as Willow, Chestnut and Cedar avenues,” said Amy Armstrong, the University Police Department parking administrator.

Armstrong said Commencement participants and guests should plan accordingly, adding that there could also be traffic delays as people depart the event.

Traffic and parking questions should be directed to Armstrong at 559.278.6709 or amarmstrong@csufresno.edu.

MORE INFORMATION — Call 559.278.2741 or see updates at the following Web sites:

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