Every year we watch with pride as hundreds of students complete a major milestone in their lives as they earn their bachelor’s or master’s degrees. On Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18, hundreds of College of Arts and Humanities students celebrated their accomplishment with family, friends, faculty, administrators, and staff. Here are photos from those events.
2019 College of Arts and Humanities Convocation
Friday, May 17, 2019
The halls are electric with excitement as students and faculty get ready and line up ahead of the procession.
Linguistics grad Alec Barnett is excited about the CAH Convocation. 
CAH students take photos of each other’s mortarboards 
Tessa Barretto (left) talks with a fellow CAH student as they wait to be let in for convocation. 
Department of Art and Design Chair Martin Valencia assists Holly Sowles with her hood as they prepare for commencement. 
Associate Dean Honora Chapman (left) and Dean Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval (right) welcome National Endowment for the Humanities Chairman Jon Parrish Peede. 
Dean’s Medalist Mason Lamb lines up in the hall ahead of the CAH Convocation. 
Dr. Kathleen Godfrey, chair of the Department of English, jokes with students as they line up for the CAH Convocation. 
Students line up for CAH Convocation. 
English students take selfies as they line up for CAH Convocation. 
Students take selfies as they line up for CAH Convocation. 
Graphic design grad Kristin Bonillas (left) lines with other Art and Design students ahead of CAH Convocation. 
Student of Distinction George Garnica with other MCJ students ahead of CAH Convocation. 
Student of distinction Theresa Lopes (center) with her husband Anthony Perez (left) with faculty Standard Bearer Emily Mason (right). 
Fresno State President Joseph I. Castro with Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval. 
Faculty lines up ahead of CAH Convocation.
Following the procession, Dr. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities welcomed the students and the audience. Dr. Joseph I. Castro, President California State University, Fresno gave his address and presented Jon Parrish Peede, Chairman, National Endowment for the Humanities with the President’s Medal of Distinction. Peede then delivered his inspiring 2019 College of Arts and Humanities Convocation Address. Associate Dean Dr. Honora Chapman presented the student honors.
Dr. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, speaks during Convocation. 
National Endowment for the Humanities Chairman Jon Peede delivers inspiring 2019 CAH Convocation address. 
National Endowment for the Humanities Chairman Jon Peede delivers inspiring 2019 CAH Convocation address. 
The ‘Dean Dream Team’ — Dr. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, dean, and Dr. Honora Chapman, Associate Dean. 
2019 CAH Convocation 
2019 CAH Convocation
Presentation of Graduates
CAH graduate shakes Dr. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval as she walks across the stage. 
Department of Communication Student of Distinction Victoria Cisneros. 
Communication student and former Dean’s Office student assistant Jeremiah Johnson. 
Dr. Maria Briggs and Dr. Thomas Loewenheim 
CAH student celebrates with a lei. 
Alyssa Espinola receives her Master of Arts hood in Communication. 
Dean’s Medalist Primavera Leal Martinez receives her Bachelor of Arts in English. Martinez was later awarded the President’s Medal during Commencement. 
A big hug from Dean Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval as Dean’s Medalist Primavera Leal Martinez receives her Bachelor of Arts in English. Martinez was later awarded the President’s Medal during Commencement. 
Dean’s Medalist Primavera Leal Martinez receives her Bachelor of Arts in English. Martinez was later awarded the President’s Medal during Commencement. 
CAH student receives her Master of Arts hood. 
Student of Distinction Megan Evans receives her Master’s of Arts in English. 
Krystal Cantú receives her Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing hood. 
CAH Standard Bearer George Garnica receives his Bachelor of Arts degree — after 22 years — proving it’s never too late to finish your education. 
Department of Media, Communications and Journalism chair, Betsy Hays, congratulates Standard Bearer, George Garnica. 
Tessa Barretto, a double major in Art and Design and French, was named the Student of Distinction for the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department. 
CAH students get ready to walk the stage. 
CAH Standard Bearer Theresa Lopes receives her Bachelor of Arts in Music Education with an emphasis in Choral/Vocal Education. 
Theresa Lopes gets a big hug from Associate Dean Dr. Honora Chapman. 
Dean’s Medalist Mason Lamb receives his hood for the Master of Arts Degree in Music Performance. 
Student of Distinction Lia Dewey in line with other Theatre Arts graduates. 
Theatre Arts Student of Distinction Lia Dewey. 
Student of Distinction Jordan Duran receives his Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy with a Religious Studies Option, and a General Business Minor. 
Theresa Lopes, Kenneshae Murray and Christopher Rodriguez sing To Thee Our Alma Mater. 
English students sing To Thee Our Alma Mater.
After the Music Department graduates were presented, Brian T. Hamada was remembered and presented posthumously with the special degree of Bachelor of Science in Music Management. His son, Evan Hamada accepted the degree on behalf of his family.
Evan Hamada accepts his father’s Bachelor of Science degree Special Major: Music Management posthumously for his father Brian T. Hamada. 
Evan Hamada accepts his father’s Bachelor of Science degree Special Major: Music Management posthumously for his father Brian T. Hamada.
Following convocation, friends, family and faculty spilled out on lawn in front of the Save Mart Center to congratulate the graduates.
English major Marisa Mata with Author and AHAB Board member Armen Bacon. 
CAH grads celebrate with their friends and family. 
CAH grads celebrate with their friends and family. 
CAH grads celebrate with their friends and family. 
CAH grads celebrate with their friends and family. 
CAH grads celebrate with their friends and family. 
CAH grads celebrate with their friends and family. 
CAH grads celebrate with their friends and family.
One Hundred and Eighth Commencement
Saturday, May 18, 2019
Procession
Standard Bearers Theresa Lopes and George Garnica lead the College of Arts and Humanities students. 
College of Arts and Humanities students enter the Save Mart Center. 
College of Arts and Humanities students enter the Save Mart Center. 
College of Arts and Humanities students enter the Save Mart Center. 
College of Arts and Humanities students enter the Save Mart Center. 
College of Arts and Humanities students enter the Save Mart Center. 
College of Arts and Humanities students enter the Save Mart Center. 
College of Arts and Humanities students enter the Save Mart Center. 
Standard Bearer George Garnica 
College of Arts and Humanities students. 
Bearing Fresno State’s ceremonial mace, Chris Henson leads the faculty procession into the Save Mart Center for the University’s 108th Commencement. 
Bearing Fresno State’s ceremonial mace, Chris Henson leads the faculty procession into the Save Mart Center for the University’s 108th Commencement. 
108th Commencement in the Save Mart Center.
Janis Yanehiro – Honorary Doctorate
MCJ Alumna Janis Yanehiro receives an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. 
MCJ Alumna Janis Yanehiro speaks after receiving an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. 
MCJ Alumna Janis Yanehiro speaks after receiving an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.
Primavera Leal Martinez receives the President’s Medal
Dean’s Medalist watch a video presentation highlighting their accomplishments. 
Primavera Leal Martinez is announced as the undergraduate President’s Medal recipient. 
Primavera Leal Martinez reacts after her name is announced as the undergraduate President’s Medalist. 
Primavera Leal Martinez reacts after her name is announced as the undergraduate President’s Medalist. 
Primavera Leal Martinez receives the President’s Medal. 
Primavera Leal Martinez speaks after receiving the President’s Medal. 
Dr. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval acknowledges the College of Arts and Humanities graduates. 
Primavera Leal Martinez celebrates with her family (Team Primavera) following Commencement. 
Primavera Leal Martinez celebrates with her family (Team Primavera) following Commencement. 
Primavera Leal Martinez with new ASI President Omar Hernandez. 
Primavera Leal Martinez and Fresno State’s Executive Director of Governmental Relations Larry Salinas compare shoes.
The College of Arts and Humanities at Fresno State 