Cal Poly Pomona Kicks Off Commencement Season with Cultural and Identity Celebrations
Affinity centers and departments across Cal Poly Pomona are gearing up to host this year’s cultural and identity-based graduation celebrations — campuswide events that honor the achievements and academic excellence of graduating students while incorporating traditions and practices that uplift surrounding communities.
For students who belong to one or more of these identities, the events complement the university’s Commencement Ceremonies on May 17-20 and serve as a unique opportunity to honor who they are while celebrating a significant milestone with friends and family. It’s also an opportunity to celebrate the spaces and communities at the university and that helped them feel part of a larger community. Graduates may register for as many celebrations as they would like.
“The Pride Center has been a source of strength and support for me during my college experience. To a friendly couch that I could sleep on during my first year, to a source of stability. It created a home for me to explore myself, recreate myself, and mold the leader I am today,” said Pilar Jimenez de Zambrano, who will receive a bachelor’s degree in plant science and a minor in studio arts.
“I decided to register for Black Grad because it is motivating for the community to see educated, degree holding Black men and women bring representation and support to many more communities,” said Kelsey Ehinlaiye, a graduating senior in kinesiology.
See below for full schedule of 2024 celebrations:
ARCHES Graduate Celebration
April 18
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Kellogg West
Male Success Initiatives Celebration
April 25
4 to 6 p.m.
Undocu Grad Celebration
April 27
Noon to 2 p.m.
EOP Graduation Celebration
May 1
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Project Rebound Celebration
May 2
6 to 8 p.m.
University Plaza
Native Graduation Celebration
May 3
6 to 8 p.m.
University Plaza
Black Graduation Celebration
May 5
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
BSC, Ursa Major
Renaissance Scholars Celebration of Excellence
May 4
Noon to 2 p.m.
BSC, Ursa Major
Military Affiliated Graduation Celebration
May 6
6 to 7:30 p.m.
University Plaza
Veterans Graduation Celebration
May 7
6 to 7:30 p.m.
University Plaza
Womxn of Distinction Awards
May 8
6 to 8:00 p.m.
BSC, Ursa Major
Lavender Graduation Celebration
May 9
6 to 8:00 p.m.
BSC, Ursa Major
APIDA Graduation Celebration
May 10
6 to 8 p.m.
University Theatre
Raza Graduation Celebration
May 11
1 to 3:00 p.m.
Kellogg Arena
For more information about these celebrations, contact Armando Madrid, associate dean for equity and belonging, at amadrid1@cpp.edu.
Visit the commencement website to find the schedule and information for graduates, guests and visitors. Read more stories about the class of 2024.