An estimated 2,100 graduates will be eligible to participate in one of three ceremonies. In addition, two Outstanding Students of the Year will be honored: James Apple, an Environmental Resources Engineering major, and Vynessa Ortiz, a Political Science/Ethnic Studies major.
The keynote address will be delivered by Humboldt State alumnus John Diaz (’77), who has had a 30-year career in newspapers and has been the editorial page editor at the San Francisco Chronicle since 1996. He will talk about holding on to your values while embracing change.
The schedule for the day is:
- 8:30 a.m. – College of Natural Resources and Sciences
- Noon – College of Professional Studies
- 3:30 p.m. – College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
As part of a new “Green Up Graduation” effort, Commencement 2010 will be free of plastic bottles and efforts are being made to reduce other waste. It’s a student-led initiative coordinated by the student group HSU Takes Back the Tap, with numerous other student groups assisting.
Guests are encouraged to bring reusable water containers, and the Humboldt Alumni Office will be on hand selling Kleen Kanteens along with other Commencement memorabilia. Tap water and compostable cups will be available to guests and graduates at the numerous hydration stations.
This year’s ceremonies also coincide with the publication of “Humboldt State University,” a book of more than 200 archival photographs of HSU by alumna Katy Tahja. The author will be in the Humboldt Alumni tent, signing and selling the books. The books are also available at the HSU Bookstore and numerous local stores.
Family, friends and guests are asked to arrive early for the events. Continuous shuttle service will be available from parking lot A (Harpst and Rossow streets) and lots D and E (14th and Union) to transport attendees to Redwood Bowl. Disabled parking will be available to those with proper plates or placards in lot A, adjoining the Student Business Services Building (Harpst and Rossow).
A slideshow of photos from the ceremonies will be posted on the Commencement website the day after the ceremonies. The site also has detailed information about the ceremonies. It is at www.humboldt.edu/commencement.
Note to the press: Reporters and photographers covering Commencement are asked to RSVP Paul Mann at 707/826-5105 or psm7001@humboldt.edu.