Campus Community Graduation Celebrations
SDSU clubs, organizations and departments will host a number of graduation ceremonies in addition to the main commencement festivities.
22nd Annual Educational Opportunity Program Graduation Celebration
Friday, April 26 5:00-7:30 p.m., Montezuma Hall, Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union Contact: [email protected]
Celebration for Graduating Student Veterans
Friday, April 26 6 p.m., Bonzai Bar, 3048 Midway Drive, San Diego Contact: Vanessa Quinones
2nd Annual SDSU-Imperial Valley Lavender Graduation Ceremony
Saturday, May 4 4:30-6 p.m., SDSU Imperial Valley Library
10th Lavender Graduation
Wednesday, May 8 2-4 p.m., Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center Contact: Esther Rothblum
This year marks the 10th Lavender Graduation ceremony. This event celebrates the achievements of SDSU’s graduating members of the LGBTQA community and is open to all students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or allies. This year more than 100 students have registered for the Lavender Graduation.
America Islas graduated in 2009 and was a part of the first ever Lavender Graduation at SDSU. Islas says it was an important ceremony for personal reasons but remains important recognition in our society today.
“My Lavender Graduation was at a time where I was doing a lot of self-growth, and what better way to show my pride in my community than to be part of this historic event,” said Islas. “Lavender Graduation was new and there was not much information about it other than what we knew on campus. It was a group of people celebrating one’s authentic self and feeling part of a community who valued who you were. I felt like I belonged for the first time on campus.”
American Indian Graduation Celebration
Friday, May 10 5:30-7 p.m., Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center Amphitheater Contact: Kate Regan
Note: This celebration is open to graduating Native American students in all majors and minors. It is also attended by students graduating with an interest in tribal government gaming. Andres Bonifacio Samahan Filipino Graduation Ceremony
Wednesday, May 15 5-9 p.m., Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union Theatre Contact: Brandon Vinzon
40th Black Baccalaureate Celebration
Thursday, May 16 7 p.m., Lincoln High School, 4777 Imperial Ave., San Diego Contact: Kaia Brown
This year also marks the 40th Black Baccalaureate Celebration for SDSU students. This celebration is an opportunity to recognize and honor graduates who are also members of the black community.
“The Black Baccalaureate Ceremony is a time for black Faculty to honor SDSU black graduates in the black community--with well-honored black traditions of song and expressive culture,” said Associate Professor of Africana Studies Charles Toombs. “This year's theme, "40 Years of Leadership: Dismantling Barriers for Our People," is an apt one to celebrate black students at SDSU and the Department of Africana Studies' 40-year support, recognition and honor of black students' accomplishments and leadership at SDSU and in the black community.”
This year’s celebration has also inspired the SDSU Black Baccalaureate 40th Anniversary Gala which will be held on Friday, May 17 at the Jacobs Center Celebration Hall. This event will bring together and celebrate alumni of SDSU and will also be an opportunity to honor state Assemblymember Shirley Weber and others.
Weber Honors College Graduation Celebration
Thursday, May 16 4-6 p.m., Montezuma Hall, Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union Contact: [email protected]
Note: This celebration is restricted to students graduating from the Weber Honors College.
Raices Unidas – Family Graduation Celebration
Friday, May 17 7:30 p.m., Montezuma Hall Contact: [email protected]
School of Journalism and Media Studies' Graduation Gala
Saturday, May 18 5–8 p.m., Montezuma Hall, Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union Contact: [email protected]
For more information on SDSU’s traditional commencement ceremonies, visit the SDSU Commencement website.
