SF State to honor veteran students at graduation reception

SAN FRANCISCO, April 24, 2012 -- Military veterans who are graduating from SF State this year will be honored at a special graduation reception on Saturday, April 28.

The University is graduating 105 veteran students this year. Dressed in cap and gown, veterans will celebrate their graduation with family and friends at a 2 p.m. ceremony in Jack Adams Hall on the main campus.

Speakers will include Bucky Peterson, chair of the California State University's Troops to College initiative, and University President Robert A. Corrigan.

Graduating students will share their stories from the stage, and a color guard will be provided by the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. 

"This event will highlight the accomplishments of our veteran graduates. They are an example to future classes of veterans, showing them that they can succeed and can overcome the challenges in their lives," said SF State Veterans Services Coordinator Rogelio Manaois.

Named one of the nation's top military-friendly schools by G.I. Jobs Magazine, SF State has expanded its support for military veterans in recent years. In November 2011, the campus opened a Veterans Services Center, providing pre-admissions counseling, assistance with benefits, academic planning and career counseling.

Veterans receive priority class registration and the University recently announced a new veterans scholarship, named in honor of House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. The Nancy Pelosi Scholarship Program for National Service will supplement existing GI bill benefits. The first awards are planned for fall 2012.

There are currently 430 veterans and 330 veterans' dependents enrolled at SF State.

SF State is the only master's level public university serving the counties of San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin. The University enrolls nearly 30,000 students each year. With nationally acclaimed programs in a range of fields -- from creative writing, cinema and biology to history, broadcast and electronic communications arts, theatre arts and ethnic studies -- the University's more than 212,000 graduates have contributed to the economic cultural and civic fabric of San Francisco and beyond.

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Members of the media are invited to attend the veterans graduation reception at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 28 in Jack Adams Hall, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Ave.

Note to broadcast media: Interviews with graduating veterans can be arranged between 1:30 and 2 p.m. The color guard begins at 2 p.m.

To RSVP and arrange parking, contact Elaine Bible in University Communications at (415) 405-3606 or ebible@sfsu.edu