Fresno Pacific kicks off commencement season
More than 500 graduates took part Friday night in the Fresno Pacific University spring commencement at Selland Arena.
It’s the first commencement of the spring season. Fresno State’s 105th commencement is May 21 and Fresno City College’s is May 20.
The university said 547 students representing the traditional undergraduate program, bachelor’s degree completion programs, graduate programs and Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary received diplomas Friday night. They were cheered by a crowd estimated at 6,500 by university officials.
Featured speaker Shirley Hoogstra drew upon an eclectic résumé. The president of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities was a partner at a Connecticut law firm, then spent 15 years as vice president for student life at her alma mater, Calvin College in Michigan. While at Calvin, she co-hosted Inner Compass, a nationally televised show on PBS.
Community college commencements
May 13: Porterville College
May 19: College of the Sequoias, West Hills College Lemoore
May 20: Fresno City College, Reedley College, Clovis Community College, West Hills College Coalinga
May 27: Merced College
This story was originally published May 6, 2016 at 8:27 AM with the headline "Fresno Pacific kicks off commencement season."