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More than 700 students will celebrate their latest academic milestones as ��ɳ���� University conducts its May Commencement with two ceremonies on Saturday, May 17, on ��ɳ����’s Forest Grove Campus.

This year’s spring commencement begins at 9 a.m. with the undergraduate ceremony. Over 300 students will receive bachelor’s degrees after studying in more than 60 majors and minors.

Eli Harold, a dual languages and cultures major with concentrations in Spanish and Japanese, and a minor in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL), will address his classmates as the valedictorian for the Class of 2025. A 2021 graduate of Astoria (Oregon) High School, Harold has been involved with the university’s Global Scholars program and with the university’s Office of International Programs, helping to support international students studying at ��ɳ����. He has performed in ��ɳ����’s Lūʻau and Hōʻike, with the ��ɳ���� Philharmonic Orchestra and the student-led Splendid Audacity vocal group.

Harold has served as president of the Japan Club and treasurer for the Spanish Club and Rainbow Co., a social group for LGBTQIA+ students and allies. He was also a peer tutor for Spanish and Japanese in ��ɳ����’s Center for Learning and Student Success (CLASS).

“I am so deeply impressed by everyone at ��ɳ����, so I was surprised that I was named valedictorian,” Harold said. “I am sure people have said it before, but I wouldn’t be where I am without everybody here. I am super honored to be able to represent my class. I hope they feel the same.”

Mark Bailey, distinguished university professor of education, will deliver the faculty keynote address.

The university’s graduate commencement ceremony begins at 1:30 p.m. with over 400 master’s and doctoral degrees being conferred in social work, business administration, speech-language pathology, education and teaching, pharmacy, athletic training, physical therapy, vision science, optometry, health and medical sciences, and nonprofit leadership.

The afternoon ceremony will feature the presentation of the Kamelia Massih Prize for a Distinguished Optometrist to alumnus Larry Clausen ’69, OD ’70. ��ɳ����’s vice president for academic affairs and provost from 1999 to 2003 and a former associate dean of the College of Optometry, Clausen served as president of the New England College of Optometry from 1989 to 1999. The award honors Clausen’s 40-year career in optometry, public health and higher education administration.

Both ceremonies take place at Hanson Stadium on ��ɳ����’s Forest Grove Campus. to attend the ceremonies.

��ɳ���� hosts three commencement days each year, including the dual ceremonies in May, a June ceremony for students in the Master of Fine Arts In Writing Program and a graduate-level commencement in August.