More than 9,600 SDSU Students Approved to Participate in Commencement Ceremonies May 18-21, 2006

First class of SDSU Homeland Security Students to Graduate

Contact: Gina Speciale, Media Relations Specialist
SDSU Marketing & Communications
(619) 594-4563 office; (619) 813-3581 cell
speciale@mail.sdsu.edu

SAN DIEGO – (Monday, May 1, 2006) – Less than six months ago, Alberto Martinez was surrounded by the debris and destruction left behind by Hurricane Katrina.

While pursuing his master’s degree from San Diego State University’s interdisciplinary program in homeland security, Martinez spent four months in Biloxi, Miss. He worked with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, helping FEMA distribute aid to those in need.

The sobering experience reaffirmed his belief to pursue a career in homeland security. After graduation, he will apply to work with the U.S. Department of Justice or Department of Homeland Security.

“SDSU’s program is like a microcosm of the real world,” said Martinez. “I am going to be competing for some tough jobs, but I feel I’ll be able to capitalize on my education here and get the job I want.”

Martinez is part of the first class of students from the homeland security program to graduate, and one of more than 9,600 students who have registered to participate in commencement ceremonies May 18-21. In all, there are 7,422 bachelor’s degree candidates (figure adjusted for double-majors) and 2,357 master’s degree candidates, including 44 doctoral degree candidates.

SDSU’s 2006 commencement ceremony schedule is as follows:

Thursday, May 18:
• 7 p.m., Rollie Carrillo Quad, Imperial Valley Campus, Calexico

Friday, May 19:
• 11 a.m., College of Health and Human Services (Cox Arena)
• 4 p.m., College of Arts and Letters (Cox Arena)

Saturday, May 20:
• 8 a.m., College of Business Administration (Cox Arena)
• 1 p.m., College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts (Cox Arena)

Sunday, May 21:
• 8 a.m., College of Education and Division of Undergraduate Studies (Cox Arena)
• 1 p.m., College of Sciences and College of Engineering (Cox Arena)

Parking is free each day.  In addition, visitors can now take the San Diego Trolley to campus to attend commencement ceremonies.  For trolley schedules, fares and other information, visit www.sdcommute.com.

Two distinguished individuals also will receive honorary doctorates from SDSU this year.

One is Craig Noel, founding director of The Old Globe theater in San Diego’s Balboa Park. During his 67-year career with The Old Globe, Noel has staged more than 225 productions of all styles and periods. Noel’s innovative creations include the Globe Educational Tours and the Play Discovery Program. An alumnus of SDSU from 1937, Noel also established the world-renowned Shakespeare Festival at The Old Globe in 1949 in association with the university.

The second recipient is Irwin Jacobs, co-founder and chairman of QUALCOMM, Inc. and pioneer in developing Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technology. CDMA technology is the world’s fastest-growing, most advanced voice and data wireless communications technology. Jacobs also supported the establishment of the QUALCOMM Institute for Innovation and Educational Success at San Diego State University. The institute was founded with a $14.5 million donation from the company in 2004.

Commencement ceremonies May 20-21 will be broadcast live on:
• Cox Cable South, Channel 23
• Cox North County, Channel 18 (excluding Oceanside)
• Time Warner Cable, Channel 19

Because of a scheduling conflict, the Health and Human Services ceremony (11 a.m., Friday, May 19) and the Arts and Letters ceremony (4 p.m., Friday, May 19) will not be broadcast live. The Health and Human Services ceremony will be broadcast at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 20. The Arts and Letters ceremony will be broadcast at 11 a.m., Sunday, May 21.

All ceremonies at Cox Arena may be seen on the Internet at http://www.sdsu.edu/Commencementvideo. (This link will become active on May 19.)

More information about commencement is available at www.sdsu.edu/commencement.

SDSU is the oldest and largest institution of higher education in the San Diego region. Founded in 1897, SDSU offers bachelor’s degrees in 81 areas, master’s degrees in 72 and doctorates in 16. SDSU’s nearly 33,000 students participate in academic curricula distinguished by direct faculty contact and an increasingly international emphasis that prepares them for a global future. For more information, visit www.sdsu.edu.

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