Second annual Commencement Street Fair follows graduation program
More than 1,300 students will receive their diplomas when Southern Oregon University celebrates its 97th commencement ceremony at Raider Stadium, beginning with a processional at 8:45 a.m. Saturday, June 17.
Free parking at all SOU lots and seating at the stadium will both be available on a first-come, first-served basis, and two designated seating areas will be available for elderly guests and those with disabilities. The ceremony will also be livestreamed on Rogue Valley Community Television.
This year’s SOU commencement will feature three student speakers: graduating seniors Morgan Ulu of American Samoa, Aiki Deguchi of Japan, and Blake Jordan, who came to SOU by way of Clovis Community College in California, Minneapolis Community and Technical College, and Fresno City College. Each will speak about the insights they have gained during their academic journeys.
SOU President Rick Bailey will address this year’s graduates and the commencement audience, and Susan Walsh, the university’s provost and vice president for academic affairs, will preside over the ceremony. Recipients of SOU’s 2023 student and faculty awards, and retiring faculty members, will also be recognized before graduates are introduced one at a time to receive their diploma covers from President Bailey.
A new SOU tradition — the second annual Commencement Street Fair — will be held following the ceremony, south of the stadium near the Lithia Motors Pavilion. It will feature global cuisine stations and a beer garden for those over 21. The food stations will be free for all SOU students and $5 for friends and family, and beers will be $5 each.
Source: News release from Southern Oregon University. Email Ashland.news Executive Editor Bert Etling at betling@ashland.news or call or text him at 541-631-1313.
