VANCOUVER, Wash. – Washington State University Vancouver will graduate 975 students at its at 1 p.m. May 7 at Sunlight Supply Amphitheater in Ridgefield. Chancellor Mel Netzhammer will preside, and graduating senior Shain Wright, president of the Associated Students of Washington State University Vancouver, will deliver the commencement address.
Background on the graduates
The 2016 graduates include 29 doctoral candidates in the areas of education, environmental and natural resource sciences, neuroscience, nursing and nursing practice.
The 102 master’s candidates will receive degrees in accounting, anthropology, botany, business administration, computer science, education, engineering and technology management, environmental science, mathematics, mechanical engineering, nursing, psychology, public affairs, teaching and zoology.
The remaining 844 bachelor’s candidates will receive degrees in anthropology, biology, business administration, computer science, criminal justice and criminology, digital technology and culture, earth and environmental sciences, education, electrical engineering, English, environmental science, history, hospitality business management, human development, humanities, mathematics, mechanical engineering, neuroscience, nursing, psychology, public affairs, social sciences and sociology.
Commencement speaker
As president of the Associated Students of 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø, Shain Wright has focused on issues related to diversity and equity. Wright has been passionately involved on campus since arriving in 2012, initially volunteering for Student Diversity events and later working as staff in the Student Diversity Center. Wright also took the lead on Gender Neutral Bathroom Week, a campaign to educate 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø students on gender diversity, and received the MLK Student Service Award. Wright is graduating summa cum laude, with a double bachelor’s degree in public affairs and human development and a certificate in case management.
Commencement details
Sunlight Supply Amphitheater is located at 17200 NE Delfel Road, Ridgefield. Parking and gates open at 11 a.m. The seating area opens at 11:30 a.m. Concessions will be available. Commencement is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required.
Sunlight Supply Amphitheater is a covered outdoor venue. Umbrellas and strollers are not allowed in the seating area. Golf cart and wheelchair service will be provided to guests who need assistance. Accommodations will be available for deaf and hearing-impaired guests, with sign-language interpreters in a designated area and amplification devices at the information booth.
For more information about 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø’s 2016 Commencement ceremony, visit
About 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø
As one of four campuses of the Washington State University system, 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø offers big-school resources in a small-school environment. The university provides affordable, high-quality baccalaureate- and graduate-level education to benefit the people and communities it serves. As the only four-year research university in Southwest Washington, 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø helps drive economic growth through relationships with local businesses and industries, schools and nonprofit organizations.
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MEDIA CONTACT(S)
Brenda Alling, Office of Marketing and Communications, 360-546-9601, brenda_alling@wsu.edu