Commencement
College of Arts and Humanities Commencement Ceremony
Friday, May 16, 2025 • 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. • Save Mart Center
College of Arts and Humanities Commencement PDF
Dear Graduates,
Congratulations on reaching this milestone! The arts and humanities have been the heart and soul of your educational journey leading to today’s commencement, yet as the name of this ceremony denotes, you are only at the beginning of a lifetime of discovery. The knowledge that you have gained here at Fresno State from your professors and peers will light your path as you continue to reimagine our world in new and wonderful ways.
We have taught you a fundamental lesson at Fresno State that we as artists and humanists hold close to our hearts: Your life and your potential are not limited by a static identity nor by a history that must be repeated, but rather by your ability to think, to create, to express yourselves, and to shape yourselves into people who promote a just and peaceful world.
Look again at the University seal on the cover of this program, as it expresses our shared purpose: Lucem accipe ut reddas—Receive the light so that you may give back. As graduates, you are now ambassadors heading out with the gifts of the arts and humanities.
May your next steps thoughtfully and creatively engage the world in ways that inspire others and build a stronger community. You have so much to offer, and we are excited to see what you choose to do. On behalf of the faculty and staff of the College of Arts and Humanities, I wish you continued success and happiness in your future careers. Please stay in touch with your alma mater, Fresno State!
Sincerely,
Honora H. Chapman, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Arts and Humanities
Ceremony
Processional
Pomp and Circumstance | Edward Elgar, Tim Shaghoian* (arr.)
Richard L. Giddens, Jr. Ensemble
National Anthem
Abigail Cano
Mace Bearer
Dr. Lisa Weston, English
Dean’s Comments
Dr. Honora H. Chapman, Dean
ASI President’s Address
Karen Carrillo, Chicano Studies
President’s Address
Dr. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, President, California State University, Fresno
Honorary Doctorate
Lilia Gonzales Chavez
Presentation of Arts and Humanities Dean’s Medalists,
Outstanding Master's Project and Honors Program
Presentation of Graduates
Dr. Brian Agbayani, Linguistics | Dr. Jaydene Elvin, Linguistics
Confirmation of Degrees
President, Dr. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval and Dean, Dr. Honora Chapman
Alma Mater
Charles Dana Gibson & James H. Morrison | Andrew Watkins-Alcocer** (arr.)
Clinton Boone, Abigail Cano, Gena Chambers, and Alexandra Cota
Recessional
Joe’s Candy Shoppe by Joseph Saelee | St. Thomas by Sonny Rollins |
Cold Duck Time by Eddie Harris
Richard L. Giddens, Jr. Ensemble
* MA Music, 2020 | ** BA in Music, 2018
Department of Art, Design and Art History
Grace Morrow, B.A.
Julie Ann Araujo, M.A.
Department of Communication
Bianca Palma, B.A.
Jessica E. M. Bonstein, M.A.
Department of English
Natalie Vasquez, B.A.
Luis Granados Torres, M.A.
Hermelinda Hernandez Monjaras, M.F.A.
Department of Linguistics
Megan “MJ” T. Jaurena, B.A.
Jane Chloe King, M.A.
Department of Media, Communications and Journalism
Jennifer-Juliette Marissa Riojas, B.A.
Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures
Lillian Hammerstrom, B.A.
Micaelina Ramírez-Chávez M.A.
Department of Music Alexandra Cota, B.A.
Tyler Golding, M.A.
Department of Philosophy
Taylor Carrillo, B.A.
Department of Theatre and Dance
Sofia James, B.A.
College of Arts and Humanities Medalists and Project Award
2024 Arts and Humanities
Graduate Dean’s Medalist
Heremelinda Hernandez Monjaras
M.F. A. Creative Writing
Student Affairs Dean's Medalist
Bianca Palma
B.A. Communication
2024 Arts and Humanities
Undergraduate Dean’s Medalist
Sofia James
B.A. Theatre, emphasis in Design/
Technology
2024 Outstanding Project Award
Luis Gallegos Castañeda
“¿Por qué la tía Malena habla tan raro?”
M.A. Spanish
2024 Commencement Standard
Bearers
Taylor Carrillo
B.A. Philosophy
Lillian Hammerstrom
B.A. Spanish & Political Science
College of Arts and Humanities Honors Program
- Katie Bergman
- Ellis Brewer
- Taylor Carrillo
- Alexandra Cota
- Sarah Nancy Teresa Delgado
- Jasmin Diaz
- Kayla Dawn Engel
- Lillian Hammerstrom
- Hannah Leece
- Carli Medina
- Bianca Giselle Palma
- Joshua Sagouspe
- Alyssa Smith
- Michael Steiner
Honors
***Summa Cum Laude
Red/Gold Cords
3.90 - 4.00 GPA
**Magna Cum Laude
Red/Silver Cords
3.70 - 3.89 GPA
*Cum Laude
Red/White Cords
3.50 - 3.69 GPA
+ Master’s Degree With Distinction
3.9-4.0 GPA