Fresno Pacific University’s commencement ceremony May 8, 2021 will honor 945 new graduates. The ceremony, virtual because of the COVID-19 pandemic, will include the elements of a traditional commencement, including the announcement of the graduates’ names and university awards, music, remarks from FPU President Joseph Jones and other staff and faculty members and an address by James Cecy, senior pastor at Campus Bible Church, Fresno.
Of the students expected to take part in the ceremony, 537 completed the bachelor’s degree completion program, 227 will receive master’s degrees (including 37 from Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary) and 187 earned their bachelor’s degree in the traditional undergraduate program. Seminary and traditional program courses are based at the main FPU campus in Southeast Fresno, while graduate and degree completion programs originate from regional campuses in Merced, North Fresno, Visalia and Bakersfield. Some 48 of the participants graduated in the fall of 2020 but chose to take part in the spring 2021 commencement.
Graduates who registered beforehand have received their diploma covers, commencement programs and other items they would have gotten at the ceremony and are encouraged to celebrate with as many family and friends as they desire. In overcoming pandemic-related challenges, this year’s class—and all FPU students—have shown a perseverance and tenacity that will serve them well in years to come, Jones says.
“Although today looks different than any other commencement before, we are confident there is still great meaning in today’s moments of celebration,” he says.
Anyone is welcome to view commencement at fpu.edu/commencement2021, starting at 10:00 a.m. May 8. The recording will remain on the website.
Fresno Pacific University is California’s Central Valley’s only accredited Christian university, connecting every student’s untapped potential with unlimited opportunity for professional, personal and ethical growth. Nonprofit and independent, FPU offers more than 100 areas of study to about 4,000 traditional undergraduate, adult degree completion, graduate and seminary students at the main campus in Southeast Fresno and throughout the Valley at regional campuses in North Fresno, Visalia, Bakersfield and Merced as well as online.
