PULLMAN, Wash. – Alumna and ethnic studies professor Elise Boxer will deliver the keynote address during Washington State University’s annual Multicultural Graduation Celebration 6-8 p.m. Friday, May 9, in the Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Event Center.
About 140 seniors and up to 800 family members, faculty, staff and friends typically attend, said J. Manuel Acevedo, director of WSU’s Office of Multicultural Student Services.
“It’s a great opportunity to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our students – many of whom had to overcome many obstacles to get to graduation day,” he said.
“WSU was an important part of my educational journey,” said Boxer, who was active in the Office of Multicultural Student Services and the Native American Student Center. “I was able to connect my tribal community to the university by making space for Native students on campus.”
“She was a very engaged student,” said Acevedo. “She served as an excellent mentor and role model, not only for students of color but for all students.”
Boxer earned two degrees at WSU in 2002: a B.A. in history and a B.A. in social studies. She completed a master’s in history at Utah State University and a Ph.D. in history at Arizona State University.
Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Utah, she was visiting assistant professor in American Indian studies at Eastern Washington University and adjunct faculty at the College of the Redwoods-Klamath-Trinity Instructional Site and Mesa Community College.
The graduation celebration will also include entertainment from the tribal Wazzu Singers, the Native American Drum Group and the Pacific Islander Club. WSU Provost and Executive Vice President Dan Bernardo will provide closing remarks.
Contacts:
J. Manuel Acevedo, WSU Multicultural Student Services, 509-335-1071, acevedo@wsu.edu
Steve Nakata, communications director, WSU Office of Student Affairs & Enrollment, 509-335-1774, nakata@wsu.edu