Media Advisory: SF State to hold 117th Commencement on May 24 at AT&T Park

SAN FRANCISCO, May 22, 2018 — San Francisco State University will hold its 117th Commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 24. Approximately 8,400 undergraduate and graduate degrees will be conferred this year, and about 4,700 graduates and 33,000 guests are expected to attend the event at AT&T Park. 

Media planning to attend should register in advance with Strategic Marketing & Communications by calling (415) 338-1665 or emailing pubcom@sfsu.edu. For more information about the event, visit http://commencement.sfsu.edu.

WHAT:  San Francisco State University's 117th Commencement ceremony

Commencement speaker

• Physician, activist, humanitarian and alumna Ramona Tascoe, M.D. (B.A., ’70). In 1967, Tascoe took part in campus protests that grew into the historic student strike of 1968, eventually leading to the creation of the College of Ethnic Studies. But before that milestone there were many intense confrontations — and in the midst of one of them, Tascoe became the first of the student protesters to be arrested.

Honorary degree recipients

• Alumnus, Rainforest Action Network founder and executive director at Foundation Earth, Randall Hayes (M.A., ’83)  

• Alumnus and Grammy award-winning musician and conductor Kent Nagano (M.A., ’76)

Student speakers

• Arianna Vargas, College of Ethnic Studies and College of Health & Social Sciences, is recognized for her outstanding leadership and academic achievement during her years as a double major in Latina/Latino studies and health education, with a minor in education.

• Angela Torres, Graduate College of Education, will receive a master’s degree in Education. In her ongoing work for the San Francisco Unified School District, Torres has helped reform the teaching and learning of mathematics.

WHEN:  Thursday, May 24, 2018

• 3 p.m.: AT&T Park opens to media

• 5:30 p.m.: Student procession begins

• 6:30 p.m.: Ceremony begins (expected duration: two to three hours)

• A fireworks display will conclude the event.

• The event will be livestreamed at http://commencement.sfsu.edu.

WHERE:  AT&T Park, San Francisco

• Media should check in at the O'Doul Gate Media Entrance, located next to the Giants Dugout Store.

Media planning to cover the event should be advised of the following:

• All members of the media will be asked to display valid identification identifying themselves and the organization they represent.

• Wi-Fi, workspaces with outlets and light refreshments will be available.

• Media will not be permitted on the field or stage at any time.

• Interviews with Commencement speaker Ramona Tascoe and the exceptional graduating students can be arranged through University Communications. For student bios, visit this site.

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San Francisco State University is a doctoral public university serving students from the San Francisco Bay Area, across California and beyond, with nationally acclaimed programs that span a broad range of disciplines. Nearly 30,000 students enroll at the University each year, and its more than 249,000 graduates have contributed to the economic, cultural and civic fabric of San Francisco and beyond. Through them — and more than 1,700 world-class faculty members — SF State proudly embraces its legacy of academic excellence, community engagement and commitment to social justice. For more information, visit sfsu.edu.