HSU Commencment

Humboldt State University will host its 2013 Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 18, in Redwood Bowl. Some 2,200 undergraduate, graduate and credential candidates from HSU’s three colleges are eligible to participate.

This year’s ceremonies will include recognition of the university’s first Centennial Class, marking the 100th anniversary of the law signed by Governor Hiram Johnson on June 16, 1913 that created Humboldt Normal School.

The 2013 candidates will wear a green and gold Centennial Commencement Stole of Gratitude. A similar Stole (sash) will be worn in 2014 by the New Century Class. Customarily the Stole is presented to a parent, relative, friend or mentor who has provided extraordinary support or exerted exceptional influence during a student’s time on campus.

Among Commencement 2013 honorees will be three Outstanding Students of the Year: Emanuel Delgado, Geography; Gabriela García of Fortuna, a Political Science major with an emphasis in globalization; and Masha E. Melnik, who is completing dual degrees, a B.S. in Cellular/Molecular Biology and a B.A. in Psychology, plus a minor in Chemistry, all in five years.

Participating students also will wear green ribbons to symbolize their support of the Graduation Pledge of Social and Environmental Responsibility, a Commencement tradition that began at HSU in 1987 and has been adopted by hundreds of universities worldwide.

In lieu of a Commencement keynote, there will be a special presentation marking the Centennial.

Attendees with smartphones or Internet devices will be able to share their Commencement photos on Instagram, with uploads to the Instagram (TM) social media service. Submitted photos must include the tag #HSUGrad to be included in the Humboldt State photo contest. Details are posted at www.humboldt.edu/social.

The Commencement schedule, rain or shine in Redwood Bowl, begins at 8:30 a.m. with the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. The College of Natural Resources and Sciences follows at noon and the College of Professional Studies at 3:30 p.m.

A general reception will be held in the University Center Plaza (the Quad below the Bell Tower) at the conclusion of each ceremony. Academic departments will host receptions of their own at various locations, which will be listed in the back of the free Commencement program. The program will include a campus map.

The HSU Bookstore will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Humboldt Alumni staff will be selling Commencement memorabilia at a booth in the stadium.

Families and attendees are urged to arrive early for their respective ceremonies. Continuous shuttle service for transport to Redwood Bowl will be available from Parking Lot FS9 (Harpst & Rossow Streets) and Lots G14 and G15 (14th & Union). Disabled parking will be available to those with required license plates and placards, also in Lot FS9, which adjoins the Student Business Services Building at the Harpst & Rossow intersection. ~ Paul Mann, HSU News & Information,