Fresno State will celebrate the achievements of its graduates with a collection of commencement events scheduled this week and next, including ceremonies for the University’s eight schools and colleges and other various programs and diverse offerings.

For the first time, all eight schools and colleges on campus will recognize their graduates at separate ceremonies at the Save Mart Center, on either May 17 or 18.

Graduating students who attend their college- and school-specific ceremonies are also encouraged to attend the main University Commencement at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18 (a separate press release on main commencement is coming soon).

Fresno State will host a reception for all Fresno State graduates, their friends and families from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 18, on the south lawn of the Save Mart Center.

College celebrations Friday, May 17

Several college ceremonies will be held on Friday, the day before main commencement:

College celebrations Saturday, May 18

Two other college ceremonies and the main university commencement will be held on Saturday, May 18:

  • Lyles College of Engineering, ceremony begins at 8 a.m. at the Save Mart Center. For registration information contact the dean’s office at 559.278.6128.
  • College of Health and Human Services, 10:15 a.m. ceremony at the Save Mart Center. Registration for this ceremony was required by April 19.
  • Main University Commencement, procession begins at 1 p.m., ceremony to begin at 1:30 p.m. at the Save Mart Center. No registration tickets are required for graduates or guests.

Affinity and identity groups and other celebrations

Educational Opportunity Program Ceremony, May 10

The Educational Opportunity Program will host its annual Graduate Recognition Ceremony at 4 p.m. Friday, May 10, at the Satellite Student Union. The purpose of the ceremony is to recognize graduates of the program and those who have provided support throughout their academic journey. Registration for this ceremony was required by April 15.

American Indian Graduation Honoring Dinner, May 11

The American Indian Faculty and Staff Association will hold its annual Graduation Honoring Dinner at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 11, in the Table Mountain Rancheria Reading Room at the Henry Madden Library, celebrating the 2019 American Indian graduating class. Registration is required. Please contact lleeoliver@mail.fresnostate.edu or aroblestrinh@csufresno.edu.

Department of Physical Therapy Ceremony, May 17

A ceremony for the Department of Physical Therapy will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, May 17, at the Satellite Student Union.

College Assistance Migrant Program, May 18

The College Assistance Migrant Program Migrant Student Graduation is at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 18, at the North Gym (Room 118).

International Students Commencement Celebration, May 18

The International Students Commencement Celebration will be at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at the Satellite Student Union. Registration for this ceremony was required by April 19.

Air Force ROTC Detachment 035 Commissioning Ceremony, May 18

The spring social and commissioning ceremony for Air Force ROTC Detachment 035 will be at 4 p.m. (social) and 5:30 p.m. (ceremony) Saturday, May 18, at the Clovis Veterans Memorial District (808 Fourth St.). The graduating seniors will be commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Air Force.

Bulldog Battalion Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony, May 18

The spring Commissioning Ceremony for graduating seniors in the Bulldog Battalion Army ROTC will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at the North Gym (Room 118). The ceremony will commission these young men and women as lieutenants in the U.S. Army. The guest speaker for the event will be Col. David L. Hall, commander for the 40th Combat Aviation Brigade.

African American Recognition Program, May 18

The African American Recognition Program is at 4 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at the Save Mart Center. Carlanda Williams, a Fresno Unified School District teacher known for her “Whole Brain Teaching” method, will be the keynote speaker. Registration for this ceremony was required by April 19.

Rainbow Graduation Celebration, May 18

United Student Pride, the Rainbow Alumni and Allies Club and the Cross Cultural and Gender Center will celebrate the success of LGBQT+ students at Fresno State with the annual Rainbow Graduation Celebration at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at the Student Recreation Center. The celebration will feature University President Joseph I. Castro and James Martinez, who graduated from Fresno State in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. Registration is required for this ceremony. Email fresnostateusp@gmail.com to sign up.

Chicano/Latino Commencement Celebration, May 18

The annual Chicano/Latino Commencement Celebration will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at the Save Mart Center. The Chicano/Latino Commencement Celebration is the largest bilingual Spanish-English graduation celebration of its kind in California. It celebrates not only the students’ achievements but also their families and friends for the support they provided that facilitated their success. The event is large, but the ambiance is intimate and celebratory with Fresno State’s mariachi and Los Danzantes de Aztlan adding a unique cultural component. Registration for this ceremony was required by April 12.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Graduation Ceremony, May 18

The Asian American and Pacific Islander Graduation Ceremony will be held at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at the Student Recreation Center. Jan Yanehiro, director of the School of Communications and Media Technologies at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, will be the keynote speaker. Registration for this ceremony was required by April 17.

Nursing Undergraduate Pinning Ceremony, May 19

A Nursing Undergraduate Pinning Ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday, May 19, at the Satellite Student Union.

See campus map and full schedule.