Spring 2025 Cultural Reception Interest Form

Thank you for your interest in participating in this year's Cultural Commencement Reception celebrations!

Cal Poly's Cultural Reception celebrations are held in addition to the official university commencement ceremonies. Cultural Receptions are facilitated through partnerships with students, faculty, and staff to honor the diversity of our students, acknowledge their identities, and commemorate successful college careers. All students, regardless of sex, gender, disability, religion, race, ethnicity, color, or national origin are welcome to attend and participate.

Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Commencement Reception
June 8th, 2025, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m., E. & J. Gallo Winery & Family Building
This reception is dedicated to recognizing and honoring the academic achievements and contributions of all students who want to celebrate with APIDA communities or who find connection in their stories and traditions. It provides a space to honor personal and collective successes, while uplifting the values and histories that shape students’ experiences.

Black Commencement Reception
June 13th, 2025, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m., Spanos Theater & Sequoia Lawn
This reception is dedicated to recognizing and honoring the academic achievements and contributions of all students who want to celebrate with Black communities or who find connection in their stories and traditions. It provides a space to honor personal and collective successes, while uplifting the values and histories that shape students’ experiences.

Chicanx/Latinx Commencement Reception
June 14th, 2025, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m., The Performing Arts Center
This reception is dedicated to recognizing and honoring the academic achievements and contributions of all students who want to celebrate with Chicanx/Latinx communities or who find connection in their stories and traditions. It provides a space to honor personal and collective successes, while uplifting the values and histories that shape students’ experiences.

Disability Commencement Reception
May 30th, 2025, 12 p.m. - 2 p.m., Building 124, Room 117
This reception is dedicated to recognizing and honoring the academic achievements and contributions of all students who want to celebrate with the Disability communities or who find connection in their stories and traditions. It provides a space to honor personal and collective successes, while uplifting the values and histories that shape students’ experiences.

Jewish Commencement Reception
June 13th, 2025, 3 p.m. - 5 p.m., 1901 Pavilion
This reception is dedicated to recognizing and honoring the academic achievements and contributions of all students who want to celebrate with Jewish communities or who find connection in their stories and traditions. It provides a space to honor personal and collective successes, while uplifting the values and histories that shape students’ experiences.

Lavender (LGBTQIA2S+) Commencement Reception
June 6th, 2025, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., Alex & Faye Spanos Theater and Patio
This reception is dedicated to recognizing and honoring the academic achievements and contributions of all students who want to celebrate with (LGBTQIA2S+) communities or who find connection in their stories and traditions. It provides a space to honor personal and collective successes, while uplifting the values and histories that shape students’ experiences.

Monarch Commencement Reception
June 13th, 2025, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., The Performing Arts Center Pavilion
This reception is dedicated to recognizing and honoring the academic achievements and contributions of all students who want to celebrate with Immigrant communities or who find connection in their stories and traditions. It provides a space to honor personal and collective successes, while uplifting the values and histories that shape students’ experiences.

Native American and Indigenous Commencement Reception
June 7th, 2025, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., yakʔitʸutʸu Community Center
This reception is dedicated to recognizing and honoring the academic achievements and contributions of all students who want to celebrate with Native American and Indigenous communities or who find connection in their stories and traditions. It provides a space to honor personal and collective successes, while uplifting the values and histories that shape students’ experiences.

Southwest Asian North African (SWANA) Commencement Reception
June 13th, 2025, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m., The Performing Arts Center Pavilion
This reception is dedicated to recognizing and honoring the academic achievements and contributions of all students who want to celebrate with SWANA communities or who find connection in their stories and traditions. It provides a space to honor personal and collective successes, while uplifting the values and histories that shape students’ experiences.

Please note that the information provided below is confidential and used for programming purposes only.

First Name *This question is required.

Middle Name (Optional)

Last Name *This question is required.

Please spell your name phonetically Musty the Mustang -> "MUST-ee the MUST-ang

What Are Your Gender Pronouns?

Hometown *This question is required.

Cal Poly Email Address *This question is required. This question requires a valid email address.

Phone Number *This question is required.

Graduation Quarter *This question is required.

Degree Program *This question is required.

Major(s) *This question is required.

Minor(s)

Concentration(s)

Student Club/Organization Affiliation(s)

Which Cultural Reception(s) are you interested in participating in? (Please check all that apply) *This question is required.

Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Commencement Reception
Black Commencement Reception
Chicanx/Latinx Commencement Reception
Disability Commencement Reception
Jewish Commencement Reception
Lavender (LGBTQIA2S+) Commencement Reception
Monarch Commencement Reception
Native American and Indigenous Reception
Southwest Asian North African (SWANA) Commencement Reception

Would you like to be added to our Program Slides and/or Program Book? *This question is required.

Please upload your own photo

Please add any photo you would want others to see. Does not have to be formal headshots, etc.

File: {{filename}} delete

Please submit a short bio that you'd like to see next to your photo. These words from you, which may be written in your preferred language, will be shared during the reception with your supporters to see. Just in case, you need some guidance on what to write, here are a few ideas below to help inspire you:

Would you like to thank anyone that directly supported you?
Is there a quote that really resonates with you and helped you during your time at Cal Poly?
Is there a Cal Poly memory (affiliated student organization or SDAB-wise) that you would like to share?
What are your academic/professional/personal goals that you are excited about after Cal Poly?

*This question is required. Please keep the bio to 115 words max and review for grammar/spelling errors!

We have a set of questions below aimed at determining the number of individuals who will be present at the pre-ceremonial dinner and the reception. Your loved ones and acquaintances are cordially invited to join both the dinner and the reception.

If you intend to be present at the reception, do you also plan on attending the dinner? The dinner is scheduled to commence at 4:00 p.m. and conclude at 5:30 p.m. *This question is required.

Are you interested in our photography headshot event? We traditionally pay for reception headshots 3-4 photos for you at no cost.
The event is scheduled after commencement regalia can be purchased. Regalia goes on sale in the spring quarter. Students who are unable to purchase in time can borrow a cap and gown from BAEC for photos. *This question is required.Photos are taken on Friday, April 26, 2024 or Friday, May 3rd, 2024 once cap and gowns are purchased.

Please upload your photo hereYou may upload up to 4 photos
Please add any photo you would want others to see. Does not have to be formal headshots, etc.

File: {{filename}} delete

Biography Needed for Black Reception Program
It is Cal Poly's Black Commencement Reception tradition to highlight each of our graduates in the Reception's program book. Along with a copy of your graduate photo (or if you prefer to submit a photo), we will add a few words from you to be shared with your peers, the Cal Poly Community, your friends and family. Your words, which can be a bio about yourself on how or why you choose Cal Poly, words of wisdom, a series of thank you's or a quote, the choice is yours. There are no right or wrong words. Just in case, you need some guidance on what to write, here are a few idea questions to help inspire you:

Would you like to thank you to anyone?
Is there a quote that really resonates with you and helped you during your time at Cal Poly?
Is there a BAEC/BSU/NSBE/Athletic/Cal Poly memory that you would like to share?
What are your academic/professional goals after Cal Poly?

Again, there are no right or wrong words, what you choose to share is totally up to you.

Example: Name: Julia Mustang: My goal is to be an a Director in Higher Education. At Cal Poly, I made good friends and learned that if I want to succeed, I need to get out of my comfort zone. Thanks to the professors who helped and supported me, and to all my friends who helped me navigate challenges experienced at Cal Poly. Thank you to the many mentors who have come across his mind. They taught me that a dream is just a dream unless I take actions to make it real. “The desire to reach for the stars is ambitious. The desire to reach hearts is wise.” ~ Maya Angelou *This question is required.

Are you interested in joining the Cal Poly Black Alumni Chapter? *This question is required.

Would you like to be added to the Chicanx/Latinx & Indigenous Alumni Association? *This question is required.

Would you like to be added to our Program Slides and/or Program Book? *This question is required.

Please upload your own photo

Please add any photo you would want others to see. Does not have to be formal headshots, etc.

File: {{filename}} delete

Please submit a short bio that you'd like to see next to your photo. These words from you, which may be written in your preferred language, will be shared during the ceremony with your supporters to see. Just in case, you need some guidance on what to write, here are a few ideas below to help inspire you:

Would you like to thank anyone that directly supported you?
Is there a quote that really resonates with you and helped you during your time at Cal Poly?
Is there a Cal Poly memory (affiliated student organization or SDAB-wise) that you would like to share?
What are your academic/professional/personal goals that you are excited about after Cal Poly?

*This question is required. Please keep the bio to 115 words max and review for grammar/spelling errors!

Personal email address *This question is required. Non-Cal Poly email This question requires a valid email address.

What are your preferred pronouns? *This question is required.

Would you like to be added to the Pride Alumni Association?

Would you like to be added to our Program Slides and/or Program Book? *This question is required.

Please upload your own photo

Please add any photo you would want others to see. Does not have to be formal headshots, etc.

File: {{filename}} delete

Would you like to thank anyone that directly supported you?
Is there a quote that really resonates with you and helped you during your time at Cal Poly?
Is there a Cal Poly memory (affiliated student organization or SDAB-wise) that you would like to share?
What are your academic/professional/personal goals that you are excited about after Cal Poly?

*This question is required. Please keep the bio to 115 words max and review for grammar/spelling errors!

Please upload a photo here for the Reception Booklet *This question is required.You may upload up 1 photo

File: {{filename}} delete

Please submit a 300 word bio for the Reception Booklet *This question is required.

Tribal Affiliation or Indigenous Heritage (Optional)

What is your SWANA origin? (Optional)

Only students participating in a cultural reception will receive a designated stole, however if you are not able to attend for any reason and would still like to obtain a stole, you may request one by 4/15

*This question is required.Requests made will not guarantee you are provided a stole

Cultural Reception Attendance *This question is required.

I will be attending and will receive my stole at my Cultural Commencement Ceremony
I will NOT be attending and would like a stole

Which Cultural Reception are you UNABLE to attend? *This question is required.

Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Commencement Reception
Black Commencement Reception
Chicanx/Latinx Commencement Reception
Lavender (LGBTQIA2S+) Commencement Reception
Monarch Commencement Reception
Native American and Indigenous Commencement Reception

Do you have any accessibility needs? *This question is required.

Please list what accessibility needs you have. *This question is required.

Do any of your guests have mobility impairments that require accessibility assistance? *This question is required.

All of the cultural events are ADA compliant, but what are some other ways we may be able to assist your guest? *This question is required.

Are you planning to participate in the main Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15 in Alex G. Spanos Stadium? *This question is required.

Why not? *This question is required.

Do you have any food restrictions? *This question is required.

Please enter an 'other' value for this selection.