Fall Commencement Graduates Celebrate New Beginnings (PHOTOS)

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A photo of two graduates posing for a photo outside of the Kinesiology & Athletics building after Fall Commencement.
So many family and friends cheered on their graduates as they made their way across the stage.
With cheers echoing through Lumberjack Arena and the support of family, friends, and the Humboldt community, nearly 300 Cal Poly Humboldt graduates crossed the stage on Friday, Dec. 19, during Fall Commencement.

A gallery of photos from Fall Commencement is available to view here.

More than 2,500 guests joined the celebration, along with over 90 faculty members who came to honor the achievements of students from the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences, the College of Professional Studies, and the College of Natural Resources & Sciences.

“This day is a powerful reminder of what perseverance, community, and opportunity can create,” says Advancement Events and Commencement Coordinator Shannon Collart. “Commencement doesn’t just mark the end of our students’ time at Humboldt—it marks the beginning of everything they are ready to contribute to the world.”

Before the ceremonies, families and friends enjoyed performances by several campus organizations, including the Ballet Folklórico de Humboldt Club, the Yolteotl Danza Azteca Club, the Mariachi de Humboldt Class, and the Inter-Tribal Drummers Circle.

The ceremonies also featured inspiring messages from student speakers. Eduardo Cruz, a senior Biology major and president of Associated Students, shared reflections grounded in advocacy, resilience, and the importance of uplifting students from all backgrounds. CSU Trustee Carson Fajardo, a Master of Public Administration student at CSU San Bernardino, encouraged graduates to continue leading with purpose, drawing from his own record of student-centered leadership.

Each ceremony was live-streamed and is available to view on the Commencement website.