University to host cultural graduation ceremonies May 15-20

Cal Poly Humboldt’s 2025 graduation commencement will be held on Saturday, May 17 at the Redwood Bowl. There will also be a commencement ceremony in Southern California located in Beverly Hills on Tuesday, May 20 at the Saban Theater. Additional ceremonies for students to celebrate their diverse communities
will be hosted by El Centro Académico Cultural de Humboldt, Umoja Center for Pan African Student Excellence, Asian, Desi, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern and North African Center, Indian Tribal and Educational Personnel Program and Queer Student Union.

“It’s to say goodbye to a campus and to a space that’s seen them growing, not only as students or scholars or academics but representatives of their community,” said Brenda Perez, coordinator for El Centro.

Schedule for specialty graduations:

Thursday, May 15:

Q Graduation Celebration with Queer Student Union
When: Thursday, May 15 at 2:30-4:30 p.m. Where: Blue Lake Sapphire Palace Event Center. Note: Sign-ups are closed on the commencement page. For more information contact qcbc@humboldt.edu. The program will include a performance from the Humboldt Circus, graduation recognition speeches, mingling, food and dancing.

All Native Graduation Celebration with ITEPP
When: Thursday, May 15 at 6-8 p.m. Where: Blue Lake Sapphire Palace Event Center. Note: Sign-ups are closed, but if a student wants to sign up, they should email Sasheen Raymond at ssr19@humboldt.edu. They’ll be honoring Humboldt graduates, then they will honor Huwighurruk Tribal Health Post Baccalaureate Program graduates.

Friday, May 16:

Black Grad Ceremony & Celebration with UMOJA
When: Friday, May 16 at 12-2:30 p.m. Where: Blue Lake Sapphire Palace Event Center. Note: To sign-up and for more information: graduating students can still sign up until Friday, May 2, email Alexus-Harrelle Deshazier at hd303@humboldt.edu. Students will have to attend a mandatory pre-grad meeting. The program will include a rose ceremony where students will be sharing a few words about their experience and giving a rose to the person who helped them through their journey. There will also be a performance by local musical artist and poet Ra Mhtp, followed by food and refreshments.

ADPI+MENA Graduation Celebration
When: Friday, May 16 at 4-5:30 p.m. Where: Blue Lake Sapphire Palace Event Center. Note: Handmade gifts will be gieven to students. No extension for signups. For more information: contact Frank.Herrera@humboldt.edu.

El Centro Graduation Celebration
When: Friday, May 16 at 5 p.m. Where: Van Duzer Theater, the program will be in English and Spanish, and will include mariachi and folklorico. Pre-event: 3:30-4 p.m. in the quad for mingling, food, dances, pictures and decompression. Note: No extensions for signups to participate. For more information contact lcae@humboldt.edu.

The information for specialty graduations was provided by Perez from El Centro, Deshazier from Umoja, Alyssa Huynah from ADPI+MENA, Suzette Villarruel from Queer Student Union and Raymond from ITEPP.

More information about commencement ceremonies can be found on the university website: commence-
ment.humboldt.edu/celebrations-spring.