Undergraduate students completing their degrees in the College of Health and Human Sciences at Colorado State University will turn their tassels and become alumni at the commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 13. The ceremony begins at 1 p.m. at Moby Arena. Graduate students should check out the Graduate School website to find out more about their separate ceremony on Friday, May 12.
Students attending the undergraduate ceremony are required to line up at noon in the Intramural Gym. Students can find more information at the general instructions page.
General information
Tickets
Because of space limitations in Moby Arena, this will be a ticketed event. All CHHS students whose anticipated graduation term is Spring or Summer 2023 will have access to seven tickets to share with guests. Students who are graduating will not need tickets to participate in their ceremony but are responsible for distributing the digital tickets to their guests and are encouraged to do so before the day of the ceremony. Learn more about accessing and sharing tickets at RamTix.
All tickets are general admission. Any persons two years of age and older must have a ticket to enter the venue. Younger than two years may enter without a ticket as a lap child, resting on an adult’s lap for the duration of the ceremony.
Doors will open to Moby Arena at noon. There is no assigned seating in Moby Arena. The first two rows will be marked for guests with limited mobility (plus one guest). There will be wheelchair seating on the east and west sides. Guests who will benefit from the sign language interpreters at the event will have the best view in section P.
Parking
The Moby Arena Parking Lot offers free parking on weekends. More information on parking and a map of parking locations can be found at CSU’s Commencement Page.
Bags
Students and guests will be required to go through metal detectors at all entrances to Moby Arena. Students and guests are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Clear Bag Policy, in effect for all ceremonies taking place at Moby Arena. The Clear Bag Policy states that most bags and purses, except for clear bags and purses approximately the size of a hand, are prohibited .
Online webcast and program
Guests may also watch a livestream of the ceremony online. See CSU’s commencement website to access the program before the ceremony. Visit the College’s Flickr, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages for ceremony photos, and follow us to keep in touch! The webcast will also be archived and posted for viewing a few days after the ceremony on the commencement website.
To congratulate your graduates on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, use hashtags #RamGrad and #CSUClassOf2023.
Featured Speakers
CSU’s 16th President Amy Parsons will confer the degrees and deliver remarks to the graduates. In addition, Dean Lise Youngblade will share congratulatory remarks.
Charge to the Class: Susanne E. Jalbert (’97, ’99)
The Charge to the Class will be delivered by Susanne E. Jalbert, who earned two degrees from the college’s School of Education: a master’s in 1997 and a Ph.D. in 1999. Jalbert is a global gender equity advocate, economic development activist, and women’s rights political strategist. Jalbert is currently working in Iraq as Chief of Party for the United States Agency of International Development (USAID) – Iraq Durable Communities and Economic Opportunities Project and will deliver the Charge to the Class via video.
Basing her family, life, and international career in Fraser, Colorado, Jalbert has employed economic development as an essential growth tool to create a more equitable, safe life for women in more than 50 countries over the last 30 years. Her international work has focused on countries broken by war, political transition, and instability.
Jalbert is passionate about mentoring women to become activists, successful entrepreneurs, and effective global professionals. Jalbert credits CSU with significantly upgrading her high-level analytical ability and results-driven approach to development problem-solving. She was named College of Applied Human Sciences (now Health and Human Sciences) Distinguished Alumna in 2011 and was inducted into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame in March.
Outstanding senior: Kaylee Rookey
Kaylee Rookey, the recipient of the college’s Outstanding Senior Award, will be the student speaker. Rookey is from Colorado Springs, Colorado, and is graduating magna cum laude with a B.S. in health and exercise science and a minor in business administration. Rookey has honed her skills as a servant leader, organizer, facilitator, and champion of causes. She also served as president of the College’s Dean’s Leadership Council. Learn more about Rookey on the College Awards page.
Other ceremony details
Associate Dean Jennifer Aberle will emcee the event, and welcome guests and students to the ceremony with the CSU Brass Ensemble’s processional playing of “Pomp and Circumstance.” The Wing Walker Honor Guard will present the colors and Mainstreet A Capella will perform the National Anthem.
Students who are members of honorary societies, the University Honors Program, and newly commissioned officers in the United States Air Force will be acknowledged by University Honors Program Director Shawn Bingham, and COL Gregg Johnson, respectively.
Each student in attendance will cross the stage for individual recognition and congratulations by university, college, and unit leaders. Jordan Acosta (’21) will welcome the new graduates to the CSU Alumni Association.
For more information, visit the College of Health and Human Sciences commencement webpage.
