Commencement ceremonies for Fresno State’s eight colleges and schools along with several affinity celebrations will take place May 19 through 20. 

College ceremonies will take place at the Save Mart Center:

“Commencement is not just a ceremony, it is a celebration of academic achievement and a tribute to the resilience and dedication of our graduates,” said Dr. Kent Willis, vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Fresno State. “It marks the culmination of years of hard work and commitment to learning, and it is a momentous occasion for our students, their families and our entire Fresno State community.“ 

The college and school ceremonies will be livestreamed on the Fresno State commencement webpage for guests who are unable or choose not to attend an in-person ceremony.

Two celebrations will take place prior to the May 19 and 20 dates:

Commencement weekend concludes with the largest, most festive affinity celebration — the Chicano/Latino Commencement Celebration — from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Save Mart Center. Given the expected high demand to participate in this ceremony, graduates who completed their degree in summer/fall 2022 or will satisfy their degree requirements in spring 2023 will be prioritized. 

Here is the schedule for the other affinity celebrations:

  • American Indian Graduation Honor Ceremony, 12:30 to 4 p.m. May 20, the Ruiz Ballroom, on the first floor of the Resnick Student Union.
  • Asian American and Pacific Islander Graduation Celebration, 12:30 to 2 p.m. May 20, Save Mart Center.
  • International Convocation, 12:30 to 2 p.m. May 20, Satellite Student Union.
  • African American Student Recognition Ceremony, 3 to 4:30 p.m. May 20, Save Mart Center.
  • Rainbow Graduation Celebration, 5 to 6 p.m. May 20, Peters Education Center (at Student Rec Center).

Additional details and updates when they become available can be found on the Fresno State commencement webpage.

Grad Boxes now on sale

The Fresno State Alumni Association is selling 2,800 commemorative special milestone Grad Boxes with exclusive Fresno State alumni merchandise, including a cap, gown and tassel. Boxes are on sale now at the GradFest website while supplies last.

Students who donate $25 or more to one of three Fresno State funds — student scholarships, the Good Samaritan Grant or the Victor E. Bulldog Fund — will receive an exclusive student donor sash.

Students can pick up their 2023 Grad Box during the Fresno State Alumni Association’s GradFest at Smittcamp Alumni House (2625 E Matoian Way, Fresno CA 93612). GradFest is a three-day celebration featuring music, appearances from Victor E. Bulldog III and IV, fun photo opportunities and more.

Gradfest will take place at the following times:

  • 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 22.
  • 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 23.
  • 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, March 24.

As one of the 23 campuses that make up the California State University system, Fresno State is the educational flagship of California’s Central Valley as a premier public university that enrolls more than 20,000 students annually. Recognized nationally for social mobility, Fresno State strives to provide every graduate with the support and guidance for success.