Commencement is not just a celebration of student accomplishments; it is a testament to the dedication, guidance, and unwavering support provided by the exceptional faculty and staff of Portland State University.

You are invited to join in this annual celebration, as we raise our voices, clap our hands, and honor the extraordinary work we have all done to help these students reach their goals and embark on their journeys of making a positive impact on our city and beyond.

Viking Pavillion
Friday, June 16
9-11am

Moda Center
Sunday, June 18
9:30am-12:30pm

Moda Center
Sunday, June 18
3-6pm

Combined ceremonies return to Moda Center this year!

The morning ceremony includes 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.

The afternoon ceremony includes College of Education and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Participation of PSU faculty is essential in creating a remarkable and successful commencement ceremony that our graduates will always remember!

Faculty who would like to participate in the combined ceremonies at Moda Center are invited to attend and lead graduates into the arena by major/certificate within each college/school. Regalia is required to participate.

Faculty do not need a ticket to attend, but they do need their PSU ID to gain entry.

All faculty are invited to join the faculty luncheon between ceremonies on Sunday, June 18, from 1-2 p.m. in the Rose Room at Moda Center. Bring your PSU ID for entry. No RSVPs are necessary. Excellence Awards recipients and members of the PSU Faculty Senate will be celebrated at the Faculty Luncheon. 

Ayan Abdi Salat,
Political Science
Public Health Administration

Ayan Abdi Salat's journey to PSU began on another continent...

Nancy MacKenzie,
Biomedical Physics

For Nancy MacKenzie, who dropped out of high school, a college education never seemed like a possibility... 

Thomas Crouch,
Piano Performance

An injury derailed Thomas Crouch's dream to achieve a master's degree for ten long years...

The six recipients of the 2023 Excellence Awards will be honored at a luncheon from 1-2 p.m. in the Rose Room at Moda Center on Sunday, June 18. All faculty are invited to attend — bring your PSU ID to gain entry.

Congratulations to our 2023 Excellence Awardees:

Branford Price Millar Award for Faculty Excellence:
Heejun Chang, Ph.D., Assoc. Dean for Research and Graduate Programs (CLAS)

George C. Hoffmann Award for Faculty Excellence:
Richard Clucas, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science

Mary H. Cumpston Award for Service to Students:
Lynell Spencer, M.S.E., Advising Dir. for Urban, Public, and Global Affairs Pathway

PSU Foundation Philanthropic Partnership Award:
Lisa Jarrett, MFA, Assoc. Professor of Community and Context Arts

Academic Excellence Award for Adjunct Faculty:
Lyndsie Compton, M.A., Spanish language

Academic Excellence Award for Adjunct Faculty:
Jihye Kim, M.A., Korean language

Read about all of the award recipients, their outstanding scholarship and accomplishments at the 2023 Excellence Awards webpage.

The emeritus rank may be awarded upon retirement

in recognition of outstanding performance.

Diana Abu-Jaber
Department of English
Professor Emeritus

Seymour Adler
Nohad A. Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning
Professor Emeritus

Susan Carlile
Department of Educational Leadership & Policy
Professor of Practice Emerita

Sydney Carlson
School of Music & Theater
Professor Emeritus

Susan Chan
School of Music & Theater
Professor Emeritus

Therese (TC) Dale
School of Business
Teaching Assistant Professor Emerita

Eleanor Erskine
School of Art + Design
Professor Emeritus

Faryar Etesami
Department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering
Associate Professor Emeritus

Warren Harrison
Department of Computer Science
Professor Emeritus

Kathi Ketcheson
Office of Institutional Research & Planning
Research Professor Emerita

Thomas Kindermann
Department of Psychology
Professor Emeritus

Jennifer Loney
School of Business
Senior Instructor II Emerita

David Maier
Department of Computer Science
Professor Emeritus

Kathleen Merrow
University Honors College
Associate Professor Emeritus

Charles (Chuck) Nobles
School of Business
Senior Instructor II Emeritus

Kerth O’Brien
Department of Psychology
Professor Emeritus

Maureen O’Connor
School of Business
Senior Instructor II Emerita

Anna-Louise Reysenbach
Department of Biology
Professor Emerita

Michael Schuster
School of Business
Senior Instructor II Emeritus

Richard Wattenberg
School of Music & Theater
Professor Emeritus

Hormoz Zareh
Department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering
Associate Professor Emeritus