• 8:30 a.m. – College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
• Noon – College of Natural Resources & Sciences
• 3:00 p.m. – College of Professional Studies
More than 2,600 students will earn credentials and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the 2018-19 academic year, and more than 1,800 are signed up to participate in the ceremonies. More than 15,000 guests are expected to attend.
Redwood Bowl hosted its first commencement ceremonies in 1966 when growing enrollment prompted a move from the courtyard of Founders Hall. Humboldt State’s first graduation event took place at Arcata’s Minor Theatre in May 1915, with 15 women receiving teaching certificates.
Mary Elise Conzelmann, a senior majoring in Recreation Administration, will be recognized during the event as one of Humboldt State’s Outstanding Students of the Year. During her three years at HSU, she has engaged in the community through volunteering, leading the Recreation Administration club, and enacting a cultural diversity workshop.
Tanya Garcia, a senior double majoring in Environmental Resources Engineering and Math, will also be recognized as an Outstanding Student of the Year. Garcia has been an active supporter of her peers’ academic success and participated in a service trip to Nicaragua where she worked to install a water well for a rural hospital.
More Commencement Information
Forever Humboldt: New graduates are encouraged to register for FREE with Forever Humboldt, the official association for the HSU community. Stop by the Humboldt Alumni tent, located near the scoreboard in Redwood Bowl. Registered alumni members receive ongoing HSU Library access, special discounts at local businesses, access to HSU career resources, special invites to Forever Humboldt events, and more. Get more information on the Forever Humboldt website.
Get Social with #HumboldtState: Graduates, their friends, and families are encouraged to share their photos on social media by using the #HumboldtState hashtag. HSU’s website and social media accounts will feature photos from students and audience members. Graduation photos will be available and downloadable at HSU’s Flickr photostream shortly after the last event ends.
Graduation Pledge: Students are encouraged to take the Graduation Pledge of Social and Environmental Responsibility, a Commencement tradition that began at HSU in 1987 and has been used by more than 100 universities worldwide. Graduates can stop by the table in the West Gym to take the pledge and pick up their pledge ribbon.
Greening Up Graduation: Students are once again helping HSU reduce waste at Commencement. Students will reduce the number of single-use bottles and have water stations throughout Redwood Bowl. Compostable water and coffee cups will be available, and discounted water canteens will be available for purchase. Thanks to student groups Campus Center for Appropriate Technology, Delta Phi Epsilon, HSUTakes Back the Tap, Redwood Chapter of Environmental Educators & Interpreters, and Waste Reduction & Resource Awareness Program.
Receptions: Academic departments will host receptions at various locations, which will be listed in the back of the free Commencement program. The program will include a campus map. More information about receptions is available on the receptions website.
Find maps, parking, and more details on the Commencement website.