May 12, 2003

Campus to host CSUS spring commencement May 23-24

Complete information on Spring 2003 Commencement

In its largest spring commencement ever, almost 4,000 new graduates will be honored at California State University, Sacramento May 23-24.

At the commencement ceremonies, the University will present the President’s Award to Sacramento community leaders Stan Atkinson, Muriel Johnson, Dennis Mangers and Sandy Smoley. Honorary doctorates will be presented to Ingrid Moses of Australia and Hans J.A. van Ginkel of the Netherlands.

The event is also notable as the final commencement as president for Donald R. Gerth, who leaves the presidency this summer. Since becoming president in 1986, Gerth will have officiated at more than 180 commencement ceremonies.

Each of the University’s seven colleges will hold a ceremony over the two days. Ceremonies will be held at Hornet Stadium and the Outdoor Theatre on the west side of the University Library; a full schedule follows.

More than 6,000 students will graduate from CSUS this academic year, including about 3,150 eligible to take part in commencement ceremonies held last fall. The
2002-03 graduating class has more than 800 students graduating with honors, including 35 who received the Academic Achievement Award and seven Outstanding Senior Awards, one from each college.

Commencement speakers will include John Schimandle of Hewlett Packard at the College of Engineering and Computer Science ceremony; Congressman Robert Matsui at the College of Heath and Human Services ceremony; Edward Del Biaggio, CSUS vice president for administration, at the College of Business Administration ceremony; Sukhbir Mahajan, astronomy and physics professor, at the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics ceremony; and two student speakers.

The President’s Award honors outstanding service to the University, higher education or the public and common good. Atkinson will receive his award at the College of Business Administration ceremony. A former Sacramento news anchor and reporter, Atkinson has raised over $7 million for local agencies and charities.

Johnson’s award will be presented at the College of Education. As a member of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, she has worked to improve transportation, air quality, flood control and support of youth and education.

Mangers will receive his award at the College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies ceremony. The senior vice president and principal lobbyist for the California Cable Television Association, Mangers is active in issues involving healthcare, education, the arts and diversity.

Smoley will receive her award at the College of Health and Human Services ceremony. President of The Sandy Smoley Group, she is immediate past secretary of California’s Health and Welfare Agency and was the first woman elected to the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors.

An honorary doctorate from the California State University System Board of Trustees for professional and scholarly achievement will be presented to Moses at the College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies ceremony. Moses is also the College’s commencement speaker. She is the vice chancellor and president of the University of New England in Armidale, New South Wales. Through her research and consulting work she has developed an internationally recognized expertise of the academic environment.

Van Ginkel will receive his honorary doctorate at the College of Arts and Letters ceremony. He will also be the commencement speaker. Now the rector of United Nations University, van Ginkel has held posts in international academic and teaching organizations and was rector magnificus of the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands.

Spring 2003 Commencement Schedule

Friday, May 23

12:30 p.m. College of Arts and Letters, Hornet Stadium

5:30 p.m. College of Engineering and Computer Science, Outdoor Theatre

7 p.m. College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies, Hornet Stadium

Saturday, May 24

8 a.m. College of Health and Human Services, Hornet Stadium

10 a.m. College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Outdoor Theatre

Noon College of Business Administration, Hornet Stadium

6 p.m. College of Education, Hornet Stadium

Parking on campus will be free during both days of commencement. Candidates will assemble at the practice field one half-hour prior to each ceremony.

For more information, call (916) 278-4724 or visit www.csus.edu/commence. Media assistance is available by contacting CSUS public affairs at (916) 278-6156.