FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:
Dave Tonelli
(209) 667-3610
dtonelli@csustan.edu
TURLOCK, Calif. — May 24, 2012 — California State University, Stanislaus saw nearly 2,500 graduates embark on the next stage of their academic and professional journeys today, conferring bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees during two ceremonies that marked the campus’ 52nd annual commencement.
It was also the final commencement at CSU Stanislaus for President Hamid Shirvani, who has accepted a position as chancellor of the North Dakota state university system.
“What a glorious day this is, to share this high point of success in the lives of so many,” Shirvani said in his opening remarks during the first ceremony, “not only the students gathered here who are about to become graduates, but also their families, friends and others who have supported them on their journey to this moment.”
View more commencement photos in our Facebook album.
For this class of graduates, their time in college was marked by a consistent decline in state funding for public higher education. But those challenges did not deter the Class of 2012.
“Staff, faculty, students and administrators here at CSU Stanislaus all worked harder than ever to elevate this campus,” said student speaker Stefanie Baker, who is receiving her master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies. “Even with a shrinking budget, educational opportunities continue to thrive, and the proof is us — this group of dedicated college graduates sitting here today.”
Devonne Donahue, the student speaker during the second ceremony, understands more than most the value of higher education. Donahue is receiving a bachelor’s degree in business administration, a degree she earned while working two jobs as a single mother with little to no support system in the surrounding area.
“Every time I thought about giving up, I’d think about my son and what kind of life he might have if I just dropped out of college and got a common 9-to-5 job,” Donahue said. “I thought about all the things I wouldn’t know, all the places I wouldn’t go, and inevitably, all the things that he wouldn’t have because of that choice, and the cost just seemed too great.”
In addition to the conferring of degrees, a number of awards were presented during the commencement ceremonies:
• The Presidential Medal of Distinction was presented by Shirvani to four recipients: Professor Lawrence Giventer, who joined CSU Stanislaus in 1975 and founded the university’s nationally accredited Master of Public Administration program; James Tuedio, who joined the university in 1983, led the development of the University Honors Program and now sits as interim dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences; women’s soccer coach Gabriel Bolton, who has led a team whose many successes on the pitch are rivaled only by their contributions to the surrounding community; and Amin Elmallah, who served as dean of the College of Business Administration from 2000 to 2007 and led the college to international recognition and accreditation.
• The award for Outstanding Professor for 2012 was presented to English Professor Stephanie Paterson.
• The Geiger-Metzger Award, presented to the graduating student with the highest undergraduate grade-point average in courses completed at CSU Stanislaus, was awarded to psychology major Verena Preikschas.
• The J. Burton Vasche Award, presented to the graduate who displays the highest standards of leadership, service and scholarship throughout his or her college years, was awarded to business administration major Danielle Fletcher.
Over the last 50 years, California State University, Stanislaus has grown to be a touchstone of higher learning, intellectual pursuit, artistic excellence, and cultural engagement for California’s Central Valley and beyond. We serve our diverse student body, region, and state with programs, partnerships, and alumni responsive to an evolving and interconnected world. To learn more about us and how we’ve progressed, go to www.csustan.edu.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Dave Tonelli
(209) 667-3610
dtonelli@csustan.edu
Nearly 2,500 Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral Grads Eligible to Participate in the University’s 52nd Annual Commencement
It was also the final commencement at CSU Stanislaus for President Hamid Shirvani, who has accepted a position as chancellor of the North Dakota state university system.
“What a glorious day this is, to share this high point of success in the lives of so many,” Shirvani said in his opening remarks during the first ceremony, “not only the students gathered here who are about to become graduates, but also their families, friends and others who have supported them on their journey to this moment.”
View more commencement photos in our Facebook album.
For this class of graduates, their time in college was marked by a consistent decline in state funding for public higher education. But those challenges did not deter the Class of 2012.
Devonne Donahue, the student speaker during the second ceremony, understands more than most the value of higher education. Donahue is receiving a bachelor’s degree in business administration, a degree she earned while working two jobs as a single mother with little to no support system in the surrounding area.
“Every time I thought about giving up, I’d think about my son and what kind of life he might have if I just dropped out of college and got a common 9-to-5 job,” Donahue said. “I thought about all the things I wouldn’t know, all the places I wouldn’t go, and inevitably, all the things that he wouldn’t have because of that choice, and the cost just seemed too great.”
In addition to the conferring of degrees, a number of awards were presented during the commencement ceremonies:
• The Presidential Medal of Distinction was presented by Shirvani to four recipients: Professor Lawrence Giventer, who joined CSU Stanislaus in 1975 and founded the university’s nationally accredited Master of Public Administration program; James Tuedio, who joined the university in 1983, led the development of the University Honors Program and now sits as interim dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences; women’s soccer coach Gabriel Bolton, who has led a team whose many successes on the pitch are rivaled only by their contributions to the surrounding community; and Amin Elmallah, who served as dean of the College of Business Administration from 2000 to 2007 and led the college to international recognition and accreditation.
• The award for Outstanding Professor for 2012 was presented to English Professor Stephanie Paterson.
• The Geiger-Metzger Award, presented to the graduating student with the highest undergraduate grade-point average in courses completed at CSU Stanislaus, was awarded to psychology major Verena Preikschas.
• The J. Burton Vasche Award, presented to the graduate who displays the highest standards of leadership, service and scholarship throughout his or her college years, was awarded to business administration major Danielle Fletcher.
Over the last 50 years, California State University, Stanislaus has grown to be a touchstone of higher learning, intellectual pursuit, artistic excellence, and cultural engagement for California’s Central Valley and beyond. We serve our diverse student body, region, and state with programs, partnerships, and alumni responsive to an evolving and interconnected world. To learn more about us and how we’ve progressed, go to www.csustan.edu.