More than 9K to graduate from CSULB

LONG BEACH - More than 9,000 students are expected to complete their bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees at Cal State Long Beach (CSULB) by the end of the summer 2010 session, and the university will recognize those graduates Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, May 26-28, at Commencement 2010, a collection of nine separate graduation ceremonies at the Long Beach campus."Clearly, graduation is the highlight of the academic year at Cal State Long Beach as we celebrate the success and accomplishments of our students and the faculty and staff who have helped them achieve their goals," said CSULB President F. King Alexander. "As we conclude the celebration of the campus' 60-year anniversary, we are mindful of the nearly 250,000 students who have graduated from this institution. We also congratulate those crossing the dais this year and are certain that they are leaving us with the tools and capabilities they will need to succeed." The 2010 graduating class is the second largest in the university's history, and campus officials are expecting some 6,500 students to participate in commencement ceremonies, including the first recipients of CSULB's independently awarded doctor of education degree. This first cohort of doctoral candidates began their work toward the degree in fall 2007. The California State University (CSU) system developed the doctoral education programs in response to the state's need for well-prepared administrators to lead public schools and community colleges. In 2005, the state supported the CSU's request to offer graduate level instruction leading to the doctor of education degree (Ed.D.) and Senate Bill 724 was enacted, granting the CSU for the first time independent authority to offer doctorate degree programs. Commencement 2010, held in the campus' Central Quadrangle, begins Wednesday, May 26, with graduates from the College of Health and Human Services crossing the dais in two different ceremonies - one at 9 a.m. and the other at 1 p.m. College of Business Administration graduates will be recognized in a 5 p.m. ceremony. On Thursday, May 27, the College of Liberal Arts will host two ceremonies for its graduates, 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, the College of the Arts will recognize its graduates in a 9 a.m. ceremony on Friday, May 28. The College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics will follow at 1 p.m., and the College of Engineering will conclude the campus' 2010 graduation festivities with its 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 and 17 at the north end of the campus. 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. For general information about Commencement 2010, call Barbara Hall at 562/985-2351.

********** Published: May 21, 2010 - Volume 9 - Issue 5