CWU's Raza Celebration Honors Largest Number of Latino/a/x Graduates Ever

The Seventh Annual Raza Graduation Celebration will honor 350 Latino/a/x graduates, the largest number in Central Washington University's history. Organized by CWU's MEChA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanx de Aztlan, or Chicanx Student Movement of Aztlan), the student-run program will be conducted in both English and Spanish. The event will be held at 3:00 p.m. on May 13 in the SURC Ballroom.

"We are expecting 81 of the 350 graduates to attend along with their families," said Veronica Gomez-Vilchis, assistant director, Center for Diversity and Social Justice, and keynote speaker for the event. "We are truly excited about this because it demonstrates the increased numbers of Latino/a/x students who are graduating. At the celebration, we will also highlight our students who are moving on to pursue a graduate degree. We believe those numbers have increased as well."

Each student will receive a serape stole to wear with their cap and gown at commencement. In addition to the keynote speaker, there will be two student speakers, Adilene Sanchez-Espejel and Yazmin Aguilar.

Below is the agenda for the evening.

• Bienvenida (Welcome): Andres Moreno and CWU President James L. Gaudino
• Invitada Especial (Keynote Speaker) Veronica Gomez-Vilchis
• Estudiantes (Student Speakers)
Yazmin Aguilar,Spanish, Social Services, Douglas Honors College, andAdeline Sanchez- Espejel, Math Education

• Estolas (Stoles) Veronica Gomez-Vilchis and Rodrigo Renteria-Valencia
• Comida Y Entretenimiento (Dinner and Entertainment)
• Baile (Dance)

CWU's 2017 Commencement will be held June 10 in Ellensburg, and June 11 at ShoWare Center in Kent.

Media Contact: Valerie Chapman-Stockwell, Public Affairs, 509-963-1518, valeriec@cwu.edu
May 11, 2017