San Diego Kicks Off Graduation Season with Festivities

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Graduates from San Diego colleges celebrate as graduation season begins.

News Summary

San Diego celebrates its graduation season as local colleges begin their commencement ceremonies. Point Loma Nazarene University started the festivities, with major events at San Diego State University, California State University – San Marcos, and the University of San Diego following. Safety measures and livestream options will support attendees during this time of celebration and achievement.

San Diego is celebrating the beginning of its graduation season as local colleges kick off their commencement ceremonies. The first event took place at Point Loma Nazarene University on Saturday, marking the official start of graduation festivities for students in the region.

Following Point Loma Nazarene University’s ceremony, San Diego State University (SDSU), California State University – San Marcos, and University of San Diego will join the celebrations, commencing on Friday, May 16. SDSU is anticipated to have over 12,000 students participating in a three-day commencement extravaganza at its Viejas Arena.

The first ceremony at SDSU will honor graduates from the College of Sciences, starting at 8 a.m. on Friday. Doors to the Viejas Arena will open one hour prior to the commencement start time. Parking on campus is available for $5 through online prepaid options before Thursday, May 15, and $10 on the day of the ceremony. Due to current restrictions, only students and their ticketed guests will be allowed to attend the ceremonies in person. For families who cannot be on-site, SDSU will provide livestreaming coverage on its commencement website and Facebook page.

California State University – San Marcos will initiate its ceremonies with the College of Business Administration at 9 a.m. on Friday. Ceremonies will take place at the Mangrum Track and Field with free parking offered throughout the commencement weekend. While all events at Cal State San Marcos require tickets for entry, livestream options will be available for those unable to attend in person.

The University of San Diego will celebrate its graduates over two weekends: the first occasion for graduate students and the second for undergraduates. All celebrations will occur at the Jenny Craig Pavilion. Attendees can enter the pavilion area 90 minutes prior to each ceremony, with parking provided across four on-campus lots, complemented by a tram service to accommodate guests. The undergraduate ceremonies will be ticketed, with an online livestream starting 15 minutes before each event.

Looking ahead, the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) will commence its graduation activities on Friday, June 13, with individual school events scheduled. An all-campus commencement ceremony is set for Saturday, June 14, at RIMAC Field at 7 p.m. Mark Allen, a six-time Ironman champion and UCSD alumnus, will be the keynote speaker. For the UCSD graduation events, no guest tickets will be necessary; however, early arrival is recommended since seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The graduation season signifies an important time of celebration and achievement for San Diego’s college students and their families. As campuses prepare for these significant events, they are implementing various measures to ensure the safety and enjoyment of attendees while maintaining accessibility for those who are unable to participate in person.