Cultural Receptions
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 Reception
June 7th, 2026, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m., Chumash Auditorium
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 Reception
June 12th, 2026, 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 Reception
TBD
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 Reception
May 29th, 2026, 12 p.m. - 2 p.m., 1901 Pavillion
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 Reception
TBD
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+) Reception
June 6th, 2026, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Spanos Theater
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 Reception
TBD
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 Reception
June 6th, 2026, 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) Reception
June 12th, 2025, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m., MAC
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.
Acknowledgments
We are grateful for the collaborative support from partners across campus who help guide and execute cultural commencement celebrations each year, especially the following departments for their sponsorship:
Office of the Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Affairs
Culture and Institutional Excellence
ASI Social Justice Program Funding
