An estimated 2,200 graduates from HSU’s three colleges are eligible to participate.
Honorees will include three Outstanding Students of the Year: Ian T. O’Brien, Interdisciplinary Studies major, who has served as a teaching assistant, fiscal administrative coordinator and leading contributor to peer health education; Du Cheng, Cellular/Molecular Biology major, a Chinese exchange student, the recipient of 10 awards and honors since 2008, and former President of the Chinese Students and Scholars Association; and David J. Janssen, Chemistry major, worked on Arcata Marsh research projects, and conducted research at Lassen Volcanic National Park’s Boiling Springs Lake.
This year’s Commencement keynote address will be delivered by Humboldt State alumnus Robert Thomas (Geology, ’85), Professor of Geology, University of Montana-Western, Dillon. Named 2009 U.S. Professor of the Year by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, Thomas was one of HSU’s 2008 HSU Distinguished Alumni. He is former President of the Rocky Mountain Paleontological Society and winner of a Distinguished Service Award for his leadership of field trips on behalf of the Geological Society of America. Thomas will discuss the importance of education amid tight budgets and resurgent anti-intellectualism.
The Commencement schedule rain or shine is: 8:30 a.m. – College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Noon – College of Natural Resources and Sciences; 3:30 p.m. – College of Professional Studies.
At the conclusion of each ceremony, a general reception will be held in the Quad below the Bell Tower and academic departments will hold receptions of their own at various locations.
Commencement 2011 will continue the “Green-Up Graduation” effort begun last year to minimize the use of single-use plastic bottles, disposable coffee cups and other waste. Students from HSU Takes Back the Tap will be selling discounted water canteens and souvenir coffee cups.
Guests are encouraged to bring reusable water containers, and water stations will be available in Redwood Bowl to refill them.
HSU Alumni Office staff will be selling Commencement memorabilia.
All attendees are urged to arrive early for their respective exercises. Continuous shuttle service will be available from Parking Lot FS9 (Harpst and Rossow Streets) and Lots G14 and G15 (14th & Union) for transport to Redwood Bowl. Disabled parking will be available to those with proper license plates and placards in the lot adjoining the Student Business Services Building at the intersection of Harpst and Rossow.
Details are posted at http://www.humboldt.edu/commencement.