Gonzaga University will host the 19th Annual African American Spokane Community Graduation Celebration at 1 p.m., Saturday, April 25 in the Cataldo Hall Globe Room. This event marks the 11th year that Gonzaga has sponsored and hosted the celebration.
The event began as a grassroots initiative created by key African American community leaders in efforts to recognize academic achievement of youth, according to a press release. This year’s graduation is dedicated to the late Master Sgt. Wilbert “Tre” Norton III, a recruiter for the local Army National Guard who was a champion for diversity and multicultural students. Norton served as the master of ceremonies for the 2012 graduation celebration.
Gonzaga President Thayne McCulloh will give the institutional welcome followed by an address from Andre Dove, a veteran, pastor, author and coordinator of the Workfirst Program at Spokane Falls Community College.
The event will honor approximately three dozen students graduating this spring from Spokane area high schools, colleges, community colleges and GED programs. Administrators from all of the institutions also will attend.
