End-of-Year Celebrations Honor Identity and Belonging
In addition to Commencement on May 20, Fullerton College is hosting a variety of end-of-year celebrations across campus that celebrate graduates and student achievements. These celebrations are smaller and more intimate, offering students a sense of belonging within the greater campus community. The celebrations honor students’ intersectionality and identities by creating a space where they can celebrate within the community among the different programs, cultures, or identities they belong to.
In late April, the end-of-year celebrations kicked off with the Veterans Resource Center Graduation Celebration, which celebrated graduating/transferring military-connected students. The end-of-year celebrations will continue throughout May, leading to commencement on May 20.
Many celebrations are open to students completing a semester, while most are for students who are graduating or transferring.
FYE First Year Celebration
Thursday, May 4 from 6–7:30 p.m.
Building 200, Rooms 224–228
The First Year Experience Program will host a First Year Celebration to recognize the completion of students’ first semester and year at Fullerton College. Students who are unable to join the evening event are invited to stop by the Promise and First Year Support Center (Building 100, Room 119) on Wednesday, May 10 from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Thursday, May 11 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. to receive a certificate and small gift for completing their first year at Fullerton College. Registration for the FYE Celebration is required.
Audience: Students who are completing their first semester or year at Fullerton College
Students of Distinction
Friday, May 5 at 5 p.m.
Location: Building 200, Rooms 224–228
Twenty students, who have demonstrated outstanding achievement at Fullerton College, have been announced as the recipients of the 2023 Students of Distinction Award. They will be recognized and honored at a ceremony on Friday, May 5 at 5 p.m. sponsored by the Office of Student Life and Leadership. View the 2023 Students of Distinctions at News Center.
Audience: Students of Distinction recipients
EOPS Recognition Ceremony
Friday, May 5 from 6–9 p.m.
Embassy Suites Hotel- Brea
EOPS is hosting a celebratory banquet to recognize students who participate in EOPS and will be graduating and/or transferring for the Class of 2023. In addition, these students will be receiving a certificate, sash/medallion they can wear to Commencement, grad bundle, and their regalia.
Audience: Invite only for graduating/transfer EOPS students and their guest
Re-Entry Spring Social
Tuesday, May 9 from 12–1:30 p.m.
Building 200, Room 227
Re-Entry will host a spring social event for Re-Entry students to connect, network, and create relationships with other non-traditional students.
Puente End-of-Year Celebration
Tuesday, May 9 from 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Quad
Puente students who are graduating/transferring are invited along with their families to receive their Puente graduation stole and celebrate their achievements. Students were sent an email to RSVP. Puente students who are missing the RSVP email can contact puente@fullcoll.edu
Audience: Invite only
Humanities Scholarship Tea
Thursday, May 11 from 4 – 5:30 p.m.
Building 2400, Room 107 + Courtyard
Each spring semester, the Humanities Division honors scholarship awardees in Communication Studies, English, English as a Second Language, Foreign Language, Mindfulness, and Reading.
Umoja Family Reunion
Thursday, May 11 from 2–4 p.m.
Umoja Village Space (Building 1900, Room 1904)
The Umoja Community Program is celebrating the achievements of the Umoja Class of 2023. Umoja graduates will be in community with Umoja scholar alumni, staff and faculty as they close out the 22-23 academic year.
Audience: Invite only for Umoja Scholars
End-of-the-Year Lavender Celebration
Thursday, May 11 from 3–5 p.m.
Building 500, Room 512-02
The LGBTQIA2S+ Resource Program will host an end-of-the-year lavender celebration open to all LGBTQIA2S+ students (graduating and continuing) and allies. They will be offering a space to decorate graduation caps (with décor supplies provided), a fun photo booth, activities, music, food and refreshments. Graduating students will also have the option to receive a free lavender graduation cord (must request using RSVP form), as well as the option to be featured in the slideshow during the event, on @fullcolllgbtqia Instagram, and in the May LGBTQIA2S+ newsletter (all optional). Registrations for the Lavender Celebration are due May 1.
Audience: Open to all LGBTQIA2S+ students and allies upon registration
CARE, CalWORKs, FYSI Hornet Recognition Ceremony
Friday, May 12 from 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
D’Vine Restaurant
CARE, CalWORKs, and FYSI are partnering to host an end-of-the-year celebration event to recognize all students who participate in either the CARE, CalWORKs, and/or FYSI Program for their accomplishments, whether they are graduating, transferring, or completing a semester.
Audience: Invite only
APIDA Cultural Graduation
Friday, May 12 from 5–7 p.m.
Quad
All APIDA graduates who have applied for graduation for Summer 2022, Fall 2022, or Spring 2023 are invited to participate in this intimate cultural celebration honoring their accomplishments, identity, and culture. APIDA graduates who RSVP will be honored with an APIDA stole that they are welcome to wear for Commencement 2023. All APIDA graduates interested in participating must RSVP on or before May 3 by 5 p.m. to be included. Faculty and staff are invited to celebrate APIDA graduates at the APIDA Cultural Graduation. Interested faculty and staff must complete a participation form.
Re-Entry Mini Resource Fair
Tuesday, May 16 from 12–3 p.m.
Quad
Re-Entry, EOPS, and the Career Closet will have booths on the quad to connect students with resources across campus.
Audience: Open to all students
Transfer Celebration
Wednesday, May 17 from 4–5:30 p.m.
Fullerton College Campus Theatre
The Transfer Center will recognize all 2023 transfers to four-year colleges (winter, spring, and fall) at the Transfer Celebration. During the Transfer Celebration, students will have their names called to the stage where they will be awarded a “Honoring Transfer” medal that they can wear at Commencement. Following the celebration, there will be a reception to honor Promise graduates (CTE, AA/AS, non-transfer graduates). Graduates interested in participating in the Transfer Celebration needed to RSVP by April 28.
Audience: Open to all 2023 transfers and Promise graduates
Grads To Be End-of-the-Year Celebration
Thursday, May 18 from 3–5 p.m.
Building 2400, Room 107 and Courtyard
The Grads To Be Program will host an end-of-the-year celebration for UndocuScholars, and any UndocuHornets/undocumented students or students in mixed-status families not currently registered with the program. The celebration will include food, games, and a graduation cap decoration station with materials to decorate graduation caps. UndocuScholar graduates will receive a graduation cord and are encouraged to bring their graduation cap.
Attire: Graduates are not required to attend the event in their cap and gown. This event is informal and will be an opportunity to have fun and build community.
For any questions or concerns, please email grads2be@fullcoll.edu
Audience: Open to all undocumented students, students in mixed-status families, and immigration-impacted students. Must RSVP to attend the Grads to Be celebration.
English as a Second Language End-of-Year Event
Friday, May 19 from 1–3 p.m.
Building 2400, Room 107 + Courtyard
The ESL Department is celebrating ESL students for incredible work at an end-of-year celebration and potluck. The celebration will honor ESL award recipients. Light refreshments will be served.
