Sunday, May 15, 1 p.m. in Moby Arena | Webcast | Program
All programs and access to the PDF version.
Colorado State University’s College of Health and Human Sciences will celebrate undergraduates at an in-person commencement ceremony this spring at 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 15, in Moby Arena. Graduate students will be honored at a separate ceremony on Friday, May 13. See the Graduate School website for more info.
Line up for students attending the undergraduate ceremony is at noon in the Intramural Gym. Students and guests can find detailed information at the general instructions page and on the College’s commencement webpage.
General information
Tickets
Tickets are required for all guests. Students who confirmed their anticipated graduation term of Spring or Summer 2022 in RAMweb by March 20, received tickets for the Spring 2022 Ceremony through RamTix, with e-ticket notification and distribution in their email. Tickets are 100% digital, and all tickets are General Admission. Students and guests with ticket questions can learn more online or contact the Ram Ticket Office at RamTix@colostate.edu.
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.
Security and safety
To ensure the safety and enjoyment of all attendees, metal detectors will be in use, and graduates and guests must follow event conduct guidelines as well as CSU’s Clear Bag Policy. As of March 3, Colorado State University no longer requires masks to be worn in indoor areas on our Larimer County campuses. Wearing a mask will be a personal choice rather than a university requirement and we will respect everyone’s personal choice. For additional COVID-19 protocols please visit CSU’s COVID-19 website.
Online webcast and program
To watch the webcast of the ceremony live, see commencement.colostate.edu. 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. See all programs and access the PDF version.
To congratulate your graduates on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, use hashtags #RamGrad and #CSUClassOf2022.
Featured Speaker Deirdre Sullivan (’97)
After the graduates are individually recognized and have crossed the stage, CHHS alumna Deirdre Sullivan (human development and family studies, ’97) – who crossed this very stage herself 25 years ago – will give the Charge to the Class. Those steps began a path to Sullivan’s current role as president and CEO of United Way of Larimer County.
Sullivan’s student leadership roles and an internship as an undergraduate student opened doors to her first job in social services, followed by work in direct services and policy efforts. Her personal passions and professional roles included championing school and community initiatives such as tobacco and suicide prevention, healthy eating, active living, affordable housing, health equity, and more. She has shared her leadership and policy expertise through The Family Leadership Training Institute, a program of CSU Extension, and as a board member for The Family Center/La Familia and Health District of Northern Larimer County.
Sullivan’s life and career connect with nearly every program within the College of Health and Human Sciences, and her work garnered accolades including the 2017 College of Health and Human Sciences Outstanding Alumna Award. Demonstrating the cycle of excellence in the college, Sullivan notes that during her time at CSU, she attended an event at which the then CEO of the local United Way gave a speech. While listening, Sullivan remembers thinking to herself that she would like to have that job someday.
Today, leading United Way of Larimer County, she continues her work in collaboration and engagement for the nonprofit sector, philanthropy, and our community. Sullivan and her wife Molly enjoy life in Fort Collins with their three kids, parents, and pets.
Outstanding Senior Sara Bovaird
Sara Bovaird will address the graduates during the ceremony as well, reflecting on her experience as an Honors Program student majoring in interior architecture and design and minoring in global environmental sustainability. The magna cum laude graduate was named the College of Health and Human Sciences Outstanding Senior for 2022.
Bovaird cultivated her enthusiasm for learning and service through leadership at CSU. She was vice president of the Design and Merchandising Leadership Team and treasurer of the American Society of Interior Designers’ student chapter. She held an internship with the community of Sterling, Colorado, documenting historically significant buildings.
Although her spring 2020 study abroad experience in Florence, Italy was cut short due to the pandemic, Bovaird made it an opportunity to align her passion for designing for human health and well-being with the world’s heightened health concerns for her senior capstone project and honors thesis. Bovaird took advantage of numerous opportunities that have opened the door for an internship working in her dream discipline of healthcare design with the nationally awarded firm CannonDesign. She hopes to continue in the healthcare field and looks forward to using design to create sustainable environments that foster growth, connectivity, and well-being.
Other ceremony details
Associate Dean Jennifer Aberle will emcee the ceremony, which will feature an welcome from Dean Lise Youngblade, individual recognition of students, music by CSU Brass Ensemble and Mainstreet A Capella as well as the presentation of colors by CSU’s Wing Walker Honor Guard. Armando Valdez, a member of the Colorado State University System Board of Governors will confer the degrees. Additional speakers will include University Honors Program Director Donald Mykles, and Laura Jensen (’05), vice provost for planning and effectiveness, who will welcome the graduates to the CSU Alumni Association.