November 10, 2009 - California State University, Bakersfield will celebrate its fifth fall commencement on Monday, Nov. 30, at 1 p.m. in the Icardo Center where 563 students will culminate their educational experience and receive their master's or bachelor's degrees. Doors will open for guests at 11:45 a.m. and the processional for all graduates will begin at 12:50 p.m.

Degree recipients are from the School of Business and Public Administration (97 bachelor's, 19 master's), School of Education (29 bachelor's, 55 master's), School of Humanities and Social Sciences (308 bachelor's, 19 master's), and School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (27 bachelor's). The speaker for fall commencement will be CSUB President Horace Mitchell.

Mitchell became the fourth president of CSUB in July 2004 after 36 years of experience in higher education. Under Mitchell's leadership, the university has continued a period of rapid development, with a vision to extend the excellence and diversity of the faculty and academic programs, enhance the quality of the student experience, and strengthen community engagement.

Mitchell came to his current position from the University of California, Berkeley, where he served as vice chancellor, business and administrative services and affiliated professor of African American studies.

Mitchell holds a bachelor's degree in psychology, a master of arts in education, and doctorate in counseling psychology, all from Washington University in St. Louis. He began his professional career at his alma mater in 1968, serving as assistant dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, assistant professor of education and black studies and chair of the black studies program.

Mitchell then spent 17 years at University of California, Irvine, serving in several faculty and management positions. He was associate dean for student and curricular affairs in the UCI College of Medicine from 1980-1984. During his last 11 years at UCI, he was vice chancellor-student affairs and campus life, and associate clinical professor of psychiatry and human behavior.

He is a member of the board of directors of the American Council on Education and a commissioner of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. He has been recognized widely for his many years of community service by civic, non-profit, governmental, educational and professional organizations.Currently he serves on the board of directors of the Kern Economic Development Corporation.

Those planning to attend fall commencement should enter the university on Roadrunner Drive from Camino Media. Parking for guests is in lot I, south of the Icardo Center and lot E, south of the Student Health Center. Roadrunner Drive will be closed to through traffic for short periods of time between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Parking for disabled visitors is available at the northern edge of lot I, marked by signs. A disabled drop-off point is also located at lot I's northern edge. There will be no designated area for limousine pick-up or drop-off and there will be no parking in front of the Icardo Center at any time.