Heritage University will hold its 30th commencement exercise on Saturday, May 12, at 10:00 a.m. About 190 students will participate in this year’s ceremony. Undergraduate and graduate students from the Toppenish campus and from regional locations across the state will gather at Heritage. Overall 317 students earned their degrees this year.

Dr. Elsa M. Nuñez will present the commencement address.  Dr. Nuñez is the sixth president of Eastern Connecticut State University and its first Latina president.  Dr. Nuñez holds a doctorate in linguistics from Rutgers University.  She has received several fellowships during her career, and was selected as one of three Outstanding Women of the Year by Governor Thomas Kean of New Jersey. She is the author of Pursuing Diversity and has published numerous articles.

The Violet Lumley Rau Outstanding Alumni Award will be presented during the ceremony. This award is given annually to an alumni who represents the values of the university in his or her life and the community. This year’s recipient is Brenda Castañeda.  She received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration in 2007 and currently works as a marketing manager for international brands at Ste. Michelle Wine Estates.

In addition, University officials will announce the recipients of the Board of Director's Academic Excellence Award and the President’s Council Student Award of Distinction.

Heritage University is located at 3240 Fort Road in Toppenish. Parking for the event is limited.

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