Cal State Long Beach graduates
7:59pm | Upon the culmination of Friday evening’s College of Engineering graduation ceremony, Cal State Long Beach will have hosted a dizzying nine commencement ceremonies over three days and graduated some 8,500 students who earned 8,900 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.
An estimated 7,000 students were expected to participate in this year’s graduation celebration, which were expected to attract some 70,000 family members and friends to the university’s campus, CSULB spokesman Rick Gloady said.
The first three of the nine ceremonies were held Wednesday, with an additional three having been held earlier today (Thursday).
“Commencement is the highlight of the academic year at Cal State Long Beach as we recognize and celebrate the success and accomplishments of our students and the faculty and staff who have helped them reach their goals,” said CSULB President F. King Alexander in a statement. “As a campus community, we congratulate those who have earned their degrees this year, and we are certain that they are leaving us with the tools and capabilities they need to succeed.”
The College of Health and Human Services kicked off the three-day commencement extravaganza with two ceremonies at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Wednesday. The College of Business Administration held its ceremony Wednesday evening at 5 p.m.
On Thursday, The College of Liberal Arts hosted its two ceremonies Thursday, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon, while the College of Education, which includes the liberal studies program, held its ceremony later that evening.
The final three graduations will be held Friday by the College of the Arts at 9 a.m., the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at 1 p.m. and the College of Engineering at 5 p.m.
All ceremonies are held on campus in the Central Quadrangle.
Following each ceremony, a reception featuring refreshments and music is hosted by the graduates’ college on the terrace level of the University Student Union.
Free parking is available in Lots 11, 12, 13, 14, 16 and 17, and courtesy shuttles will be available to transport guests to the Central Quadrangle.
For general information about Commencement 2011, call Barbara hall at 562-985-2351 or click here.