Commencement

Portland State University Archives holds historical materials related to most PSU commencement ceremonies, starting with the first graduation ceremony at Vanport Extension Center in 1947. These materials may include programs, photographs, and audio or video recordings.

Please inquire with us by emailing specialcollections@pdx.edu if you are searching for commencement materials that do not appear here. When available, we can provide additional searchable, downloadable, and/or streaming media in this collection by request.

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2023 Commencement Program

Commencement

The complete program for Portland State University's Spring 2023 Commencement ceremonies:

College of the Arts: June 16, 2023, PSU Viking Pavilion

College of Urban and Public Affairs, Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science, OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, School of Social Work, and the School of Business: June 18, 2023, Moda Center, Portland, Oregon

College of Education and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: June 18, 2023, Moda Center, Portland, Oregon
2021 Commencement Program

Rukaiyah Adams, Brett Bigham, Frank A. Franklin, Avel Gordly, Kali Thorne Ladd, Jill Murfin, George Yoshio Nakata, Mario Milosevic, and William Parnell

The Spring 2021 Commencement ceremonies for each College and School at Portland State University were held as separate virtual events with speakers for each. These ceremonies honored graduates who received their degrees in Fall 2020-Spring 2021.
2021 Commencement Address, School of Business

Kali Thorne Ladd

Kali Thorne Ladd, M.A., Executive Director of Kairos PDX, delivered the commencement address for the School of Business, and received the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.
2010 Commencement Program

Marian Wright Edelman

The program for the 2010 PSU Commencement ceremony on June 13, 2010.

Marian Wright Edelman, founder and president of the Children's Defense Fund, delivered the commencement address and was awarded an honorary doctorate by PSU President Wim Wiewel.
2008 Commencement Address

Richard Pimentel

Richard Pimentel received the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters and delivered the commencement address at Portland State University's 2008 Commencement ceremony, June 14, 2008.

PSU President Michael Reardon introduces Pimentel and presents him with the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters. PSU Provost Roy Koch gives closing remarks.
2007 Commencement Address

Barbara Roberts

Barbara Roberts, Oregon's 34th Governor, spoke to graduates at the Portland State University commencement ceremony on June 16, 2007. She was introduced by former PSU President Daniel Bernstine.
2005 Commencement Program

Neal Keny-Guyer

The program for the PSU Commencement ceremony on June 11, 2005.

Neal Keny-Guyer, CEO of Mercy Corps, delivered the commencement address and was awarded an honorary doctorate by PSU President Daniel Bernstine.
2004 Commencement Address

John Lewis

Congressman John Lewis received the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters and delivered the commencement address at Portland State University's 2004 Commencement ceremony, June 12, 2004.

PSU President Daniel Bernstine presented the degree. Closing remarks by PSU Provost Mary Kay Tetrault.
2000 Summer Commencement Program

Daniel O. Bernstine

The program for the PSU Summer Commencement ceremony on August 12, 2000.
2000 Commencement Program

Vera Katz

The program for the PSU Commencement ceremony on June 11, 2000.

Mayor of Portland, the Honorable Vera Katz, delivered the commencement address and was awarded an honorary doctorate by PSU President Dan Bernstine.
1995 Commencement Program

Thomas Ehrlich

The program for the Portland State University Spring Commencement ceremony on June 10, 1995.

Thomas Ehrlich, LL.B., delivered the commencement address; Monroe M Sweetland, B.A. and John Eliot Allen, Ph.D., received Presidential Citations from PSU President Judith Ramaley.
1994 Commencement Program

A. Gary Ames

The program for the Portland State University Spring Commencement ceremony on June 11, 1994.

A. Gary Ames, communications executive and Portland State alumnus, received an honorary degree and delivered the commencement address.
1984 Commencement Program

Commencement

The program for the Portland State University 1984 Spring Commencement ceremony, held at Memorial Coliseum on June 8, 1984, in Portland, Oregon.

Opening remarks by Loren L. Wyss, Oregon State System of Higher Education.
1971 Commencement Audio

John Kerry

Portland State University held the Degree Convocation ceremony on June 11, 1971, 8:00 PM, at Portland Memorial Coliseum.

Senator John Kerry delivered the commencement address, "America Abroad: The Challenge of Reconsideration."