Long Beach State (CSULB) will confer more than 9,000 bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees for the 2011-12 academic year — and many of those earning degrees are expected to walk across the stage at Commencement 2012, a collection of nine graduation ceremonies at the Long Beach campus slated for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, May 23-25.
In addition to participating students, upwards of 60,000 family members and friends are expected to visit the campus over the three-day period to and watch graduates walk across the dais and have their names called.
Held in the campus’ Central Quadrangle, Commencement 2012 begins Wednesday, May 23, with graduates from the College of Health and Human Services being recognized in two separate ceremonies — one at 9 a.m. and the other at 1 p.m. College of Business Administration graduates will follow and have their names called in a 5 p.m. ceremony.
On Thursday, May 24, the College of Liberal Arts will host two ceremonies, the first beginning at 9 a.m. and the second at 1 p.m. The College of Education, which includes the Liberal Studies Program, will close out the second day with a 5 p.m. ceremony for its graduates.
On the final day, Friday, May 25, the College of the Arts will recognize its graduates in a 9 a.m. ceremony. Graduates from the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics will follow at 1 p.m., and the College of Engineering will close out the campus’ graduation festivities with a 5 p.m. ceremony.
After each ceremony, graduates and guests are invited to attend a reception hosted by their college on the terrace level of the University Student Union. Refreshments and music will be provided.
Free parking is available for commencement guests in Lots 11, 12, 14, 16, 17 and 18 at the north end of the campus as well as Parking Structures I, II or III. Courtesy shuttles will be available to transport guests to the Central Quad area.
Visitors may enter the campus from Atherton Street, Bellflower Boulevard or 7th Street. Before parking, drivers may drop off passengers at the west turnaround near Brotman Hall or the east turnaround by the CSULB Foundation Building. Parking for the disabled may be arranged by calling Parking Administration at 562/985-4146. Guests with other special needs should contact Disabled Student Services at 562/985-5401.
For more information on Commencement 2012, call the commencement coordinator for the desired college ceremony: Arts—Bethany Price, 562/985-4364; Business Administration—Margaret Williams, 562/985-5307; Education (including Liberal Studies)—Marvel Whitson, 562/985-4513; Engineering—Kim Truesdelle, 562/985-8032; Health and Human Services—Sharon Cruz, 562/985-4691; Liberal Arts—Myriam Joseph, 562/985-5381; and Natural Sciences and Mathematics—Margaret Karteron, 562/985-4265.