June 11, 2007
Class of 2007's commencement exercises take place June 15-17
By Carolyn Lagattuta (831/459-2495)
Five distinguished alumni will be returning to campus to be featured speakers when the Class of 2007's commencement exercises take place at the University of California, Santa Cruz, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, June 15-17.
Commencement exercises will be hosted by UCSC's 10 colleges, as well as the Graduate Division and the School of Engineering. A number of less formal celebrations, beginning June 14, are also planned to honor graduates.
The five returning alumni who will be keynote commencement speakers are:
- Joseph DeRisi (B.S., biochemistry and molecular biology, '92), an associate professor of biochemistry and biophysics at UC San Francisco whose work led to the identification of the SARS virus, will speak at the Kresge College commencement;
- Ted Goldstein (B.A., computer and information sciences, '83), vice president of software at biotech startup Theranos, and formerly vice president of development technologies at Apple Computer, will give the commencement address for the Jack Baskin School of Engineering;
- John Laird (B.A., politics, '72), a California assemblymember whose district includes Santa Cruz County, will be the featured speaker at Stevenson College's commencement;
- Marti Noxon (B.A., theater arts, '87), who writes for TV and film and was the creative producer of the popular Buffy the Vampire Slayer series, will be the speaker at the Crown College commencement;
- Aaron Velasco (Ph.D., Earth sciences, '93) an associate professor of geological sciences at the University of Texas at El Paso and current president of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science, will be the featured speaker at the Graduate Division commencement.
For complete details, see the schedule below.
A total of 2,363 UCSC students are candidates for bachelor of arts, music, or science degrees.
Also this spring, 206 students are eligible to receive master of arts or science degrees; of these students, six will receive the first master's degrees from the new program in social documentation, and 90 will complete UCSC's Department of Education master's program in late summer. In addition, 75 UCSC students are candidates for doctorates. A small number of students will receive graduate certificates.
(In the two prior quarters of the current academic year, many other UCSC students earned undergraduate or graduate degrees: 808 undergraduates earned bachelor's degrees, 102 students earned master's degrees, and 75 students earned doctorates. An undetermined number of other UCSC students will also complete their work toward degrees this summer, in the academic year's fourth quarter.)
Schedule for commencement exercises on June 15-17:
Friday, June 15:
Graduate Division Commencement: The keynote speaker will be alumnus Aaron Velasco, associate professor of geological sciences at the University of Texas at El Paso. 4 p.m. East Field. A short reception will be held next to the East Field immediately following the ceremony. (831) 459-2510.
Saturday, June 16
Merrill College Commencement: The keynote speaker will be alumnus Manuel Pastor, professor of Latin American and Latino studies. 9 a.m. East Field. A reception will take place at the Cultural Center at Merrill College at 11 a.m. Light refreshments and music will be provided. (831) 459-3357.
Porter College Commencement: The keynote speakers will be Jody Greene, associate professor of literature and feminist studies, and Warren Sack, assistant professor of film and digital media. 9:30 a.m. Porter College Quad. Reception to follow after the ceremony in the Upper Quad. (831) 459-2857.
Cowell College Commencement: The keynote speaker will be Wendy Martyna, lecturer in sociology. 1 p.m. East Field. Reception follows at 2:30 at the Cowell College Courtyard. (831) 459-2255.
College Eight Commencement: The keynote speaker will be Reid Hoffman, founder of LinkedIn, a social network used primarily for business connections and job searching. 1 p.m. Oakes College, Lower West Field. (831) 459-4279.
Oakes College Commencement: The keynote speaker will be Tricia Rose, professor of Africana studies at Brown University. 5 p.m. Oakes College, West Field. Reception to follow. (831) 459-4505.
Kresge College Commencement: The keynote speaker will be alumnus Joseph DeRisi, an associate professor of biochemistry and biophysics at UC San Francisco. 5 p.m. East Field. (831) 459-3925.
Sunday, June 17
Crown College Commencement: The keynote speaker will be alumna Marti Noxon, a television and film writer. 9 a.m. East Field. Reception to follow in the Crown Dining Hall. (831) 459-2966.
College Ten Commencement: The keynote speaker will be alumnus Manuel Pastor, professor of Latin American and Latino studies. 10 a.m. West Field. (831) 459-4465.
Stevenson College Commencement: The keynote speaker will be state assemblymember and alumnus John Laird. 1 p.m. East Field. (831) 459-3108.
College Nine Commencement: The keynote speaker will be Rosa Linda Fregoso, professor and chair of Latin American and Latino studies. 2:30 p.m. West Field. (831) 459-4465.
Baskin School of Engineering Commencement: The keynote speaker will be alumnus Ted Goldstein, vice president of software at biotech startup Theranos. 4 p.m. Engineering Courtyard. Reception to follow. (831) 459-2158.
Graduation Celebrations:
Thursday, June 14:
9th Annual Rainbow Ceremony: This unique celebration honors queer and allied graduates across Santa Cruz County. Graduating high school students stand beside Cabrillo and UCSC grads receiving their baccalaureate, master's, and doctorate degrees. Friends and family members are welcome. 3 p.m. The Attic, 931 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. (831) 459-4385.
Friday, June 15:
Environmental studies celebration: 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. UCSC Farm. Sponsored by the Environmental Studies Department. (831) 459-4837.
Feminist studies celebration: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Humanities 1 Building, Room 210. Sponsored by the Feminist Studies Department. (831) 459-4324.
Physics reception and celebration: To honor 2006-07 B.S., M.S., Ph.D., and award recipients. 1 p.m. Interdisciplinary Sciences Building Courtyard. Sponsored by the Physics Department. (831) 459-2329.
Film and digital media celebration: 2 p.m. Communications Courtyard. Sponsored by the Film and Digital Media Department. (831) 459-3204.
Asian American/Pacific Islander year-end ceremony: 2 – 6 p.m. Music Center Recital Hall. A reception will follow the ceremony for graduates, family, and friends. Sponsored by the Asian American/Pacific Islander Resource Center. (831) 459-5349.
Biology celebration: 2 p.m. Lower East Field. Sponsored by SOAR. (707) 758-5200.
African American recognition ceremony: 5 p.m. Colleges Nine and Ten, Multipurpose Room. Sponsored by SOAR. (310) 889-4681.
Theater arts celebration: The keynote speaker will be assistant professor of theater arts Peter Mostkoff. 7 p.m. Mainstage Theater. Sponsored by the Theater Arts Department. (831) 459-4075.
Sunday, June 17:
Chicano/Latino celebration: 3-7 p.m. East Field Center, East Remote Field. Sponsored by SOAR. (831) 459-5449.
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