More than 700 Pacific University students to be honored at graduation ceremonies Saturday
Commencement ceremonies for more than 700 Pacific University students will be held Saturday, May 17, and Forest Grove is expected to be a busy place as friends and families visit the university to celebrate their graduates.
Commencement ceremonies for more than 700 Pacific University students will be held Saturday, May 17, and Forest Grove is expected to be a busy place as friends and families visit the university to celebrate their graduates.
Two ceremonies will be held Saturday at Hanson Stadium.
"We'll likely see an uptick in pedestrian and vehicle traffic around the university and downtown area, particularly near Lincoln Park," the Forest Grove Police Department said in a social media post.
At 9 a.m., the university will kick things off with the undergraduate commencement.
"Over 300 students will receive bachelor’s degrees after studying in more than 60 majors and minors," Pacific University said in a press release.
Eli Harold will address his classmates as the valedictorian for the Class of 2025.
Harold, a 2021 graduate of Astoria High School is a dual languages and cultures major with concentrations in Spanish and Japanese and a minor in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL).
Harold's other roles include president of the Japan Club, treasurer for the Spanish Club, and treasurer for Rainbow Co., a social group for LGBTQIA+ students and allies. Harold also was a peer tutor for Spanish and Japanese in Pacific’s Center for Learning and Student Success (CLASS).
“I am so deeply impressed by everyone at Pacific, so I was surprised that I was named valedictorian,” Harold said. “I am sure people have said it before, but I wouldn’t be where I am without everybody here. I am super honored to be able to represent my class. I hope they feel the same.”
Chas Hundley
The faculty keynote address will be delivered by Mark Bailey, distinguished university professor of education.
At 1:30 p.m., the graduate commencement ceremony will begin, featuring the presentation of the Kamelia Massih Prize for a Distinguished Optometrist to alumnus Larry Clausen ’69, OD ’70.
Guest tickets for the ceremonies are free, but required to attend.
