School of Social Work Commencement Program 2026

School of Social Work

Commencement Program 2026

Sunday, June 14, 2026
Viking Pavilion at the Peter W. Stott Center

Order of Ceremonies

Processional

Master’s Graduates and Candidates
Bachelor’s Graduates and Candidates
Doctoral Candidates
Platform Party

Welcome and Host

Evaon Wong, Ph.D.
Dean, School of Social Work

National Anthem

Kathryn Thomas
College of the Arts

Land Acknowledgement

Alma Trinidad, Ph.D.
Associate Dean, School of Social Work

Honor Song

Fabian Quenelle
Klamath/Modoc/Umpqua/Chinook

Greetings

Ann E. Cudd, Ph.D.
President

Randall Yesmont
Undergraduate Student Trustee, PSU Board of Trustees
Class of ’26

Evaon Wong, Ph.D.
Dean, School of Social Work

Presentation of Honorary Degree

Ann E. Cudd, Ph.D.
President

Commencement Address

Michael C. Alexander
Doctor of Humane Letters

Student Addresses

Genevieve Nicole Serna
Master of Social Work ’26

Sonia Fernandez Lopez
Bachelor of Arts, Social Work ’26

Address to Future Alumni

Sarah Schwarz, J.D.
President/CEO, PSU Foundation

Presenting and Conferring of Degrees

Ann E. Cudd, Ph.D.
President

Shelly Chabon, Ph.D.
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Alma Mater

Performed by Kathryn Thomas

Closing and Recessional


Please meet graduates outside the Viking Pavilion.


Alma Mater

“Green may we ever be”
Written and composed by Bonnie Miksch

Oh Portland State, our Alma Mater
Where the forest meets the running waters
On the homelands of the Chinook tribes
Where knowledge, art, and community thrive

Where the bridges cross, and the old elms tower
Where the crows amass at the sunset hour
And progress lies beyond each bend
We see no strangers, only friends

Oh Portland with our hearts we lead
Oh Portland dream a world we need
Let our knowledge serve, and our love guide our deeds
Oh Portland, green may we ever be

Platform Party

Ann E. Cudd, Ph.D.
President

Shelly Chabon, Ph.D.
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Evaon Wong, Ph.D.
Dean, School of Social Work

Alma Trinidad, Ph.D.
Associate Dean, School of Social Work

Matthew Chorpenning, M.S.W.
Presiding Officer, PSU Faculty Senate
Assistant Professor of Practice, School of Social Work

Sarah Schwarz, J.D.
President/CEO, PSU Foundation

Randall Yesmont
Bachelor of Arts, Social Work ’26
Undergraduate Student Trustee, PSU Board of Trustees

AJ Romero-Gemmell
Graduate Student Trustee, PSU Board of Trustees

Katharine Cahn, Ph.D.
Professor of Practice, Executive Director
Center for Improvement of Child and Family Services

Ted Donlan, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, School of Social Work

Honorary Degree Recipient

Michael C. Alexander