It is almost time to celebrate the plethora of achievements of the graduating 2024 class, but before the graduation can commence, there are multiple times and dates students need to know before they walk the stage. 

The Commencement ceremony will take place May 18 at Weill Hall and seating inside will be limited, but there will be other viewing options available for the big day. Graduates are limited to two tickets inside Weill Hall and the email with information on how to access those tickets have already been sent out and you have until May 13 to claim the tickets. All guests who plan to attend via ticket will have to be seated 15 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony.

Although graduates are only allowed two tickets, there are still ways to experience your graduates special day. Outside on the Weill Lawn there is unlimited seating, a jumbotron and state-of-the-art sound system that ensures you will be able to hear everyone’s name being announced. Also on the Weill Lawn there are foldable chair seating areas and those are on a first come first serve basis. You will not need a ticket to sit in the Weill Lawn. 

Lastly there is a standby line to get into Weill Hall if seats are forfeited. There is no guarantee you will get a seat if you wait in the standby line, but if seats are forfeited you may be able to find a spot.

The school of Social Sciences will kick off the celebration at 9 a.m., followed by the school of Arts and Humanities and school of Education at 1 p.m. and finally by the school Business and Economics and the school of Science and Technology at 5 p.m. For a full description and to see the full running order go to Sonoma State’s commencement page.

Before the major commencement ceremony takes place, there are a couple other celebrations that students can participate in.

From May 15 to May 17, the HUB Cultural Center honors and celebrates underrepresented students who have earned a major achievement with their own celebrations. Rainbow Graduation and Asian, Pacific Islander and Middle Eastern Graduation will take place on March 15. Raza Graduation will take place on March 16 and celebrate the diversity of the Chicanx, Hispanic, Indigenous and Latinx culture. “The celebration is incredibly powerful,” Cassandra Garcia said. “It gives us a chance to talk about the challenges we’ve had to overcome and advocate for change. Sharing our stories also encourages others who might be going through similar struggles, as well as bringing attention to the existence of systemic challenges.”

Native American and Indigenous Graduation and Black Graduation will take place on March 17. “I am extremely honored and grateful to have so many people here at SSU that have helped me along the way,” Tia Booker said. “Without them and many others I wouldn’t have been as successful in my academic career. I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge how difficult it has been to obtain my bachelor’s degree as a black woman here at SSU, but I feel as though my experiences, good and bad, have prepared me to face similar challenges in the real world.”

Garcia credits the impact The Hub Cultural Center has had on so many students and thanks them for the platform they provide. “To be able to have this celebration really goes to show how The Hub Cultural Center cares for all students. It makes me feel seen and heard and I’m so grateful for The Hub for celebrating Chicanx, Hispanic, Indigenous, Latinx, Black, Native American, Asian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern and Rainbow culture,” Garcia said.