Fresno State’s Class of 2026 receives Grad Boxes
FRESNO, Calif- Fresno State’s graduating class of 2026 is set to walk across the stage in just a few months, as ceremonies are scheduled to be held on Friday, May 15 and and Saturday, May 16.
But before then, graduates will have the opportunity to claim their graduation boxes, which includes an alumni T-shirt, alumni pendant, Fresno State sticker sheet, alumni key tag, notebook, alumni license plate frame, official alumni pride pin, confetti popper and a graduation regalia, which is for graduates receiving their Masters or Bachelor’s degrees. The cover of the box reads “Forever a ‘Dog!”.
Graduates can pick up their boxes by first registering online to reserve a box, and then by going to the Smittcamp House on campus from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Mar. 24-25th during GradFest.
Event Manager and Volunteer Specialist of Fresno State’s Alumni Association Nicole Traverso says the GradFest event serves as one of the first events to help graduates “bridge” from student life to alumni life.
“This is one of the Alumni Association’s flagship projects. We do this every year to celebrate our graduates and welcome them into alumni life.” Traverso explained.
Traverso added that the association has been doing this for the last 15 years, and that this year, about 16,000 boxes were produced.
While a big part of GradFest involves graduates receiving their commemorative boxes, graduates can also check out a newly created clothing closet and receive free headshots while at the event.
“Graduates can also do many of our other activities here to celebrate graduation. We have a clothing closet this year that we’re excited to be opening. We have free headshots.” Administrative Analyst Madison “Madi” Frisby said.
Aside from the early memories GradFest allows graduates to create, Frisby credits the event’s ability to allow for “outreach” between graduates and alumni as one of the most important aspects the event can bring. Frisby also expressed personal excitement for being able to be a part of the process of making Gradfest successful.
“I’m really excited to be a part of this process because it helps us outreach to the students that are here on campus, and it gives us an opportunity to connect with them.” Frisby said.
If you are unable to attend GradFest, you can still pick up your grad box through May 15th at the Smittcamp House on campus. May 15th is the deadline for graduates to claim their box.
