SJSU Commencement Press Release

For Immediate Release

KILL DATE: May 22, 2020

Word Count: 352

Contact: Antonio Carrillo

Public Information Specialist

669-252-9252

SAN JOSE STATE COMMENCEMENT FEATURES KANYE WEST

SAN JOSE, Calif. (March 10, 2020) – San Jose State University is excited to announce that Kanye West will be speaking at its commencement this year. 

Throughout his musical career West has influenced the current sounds whether producing for other people or on his own songs and it is this influence and creativity that San Jose State hopes its students bring into the world.

“Kanye West really influenced the sound of the 2010s with his creativity and we are excited for him to share his knowledge with our graduating students,” said SJSU President Mary A. Papazian. “We are so excited to have her this year as our commencement speaker and look forward to the knowledge he has to give our students.”

The event will be held on Saturday May 22 at 9 a.m. at Avaya Stadium and some 6,500 students are expected to graduate with bachelor’s degrees.

“I feel like I can really give the graduating students a unique perspective especially with everything I’ve been through in life,” West said. “I’m really glad that the university is going to allow me to come in and share my life experience.”

This is going to be a historic event for the community as it is the first time West visits San Jose State.

“I think that Kanye will be able to give the graduating students an unforgettable commencement speech,” Papazian said. “He has such a unique viewpoint on life that will expose the graduating students to a different perspective.”

The event is predicted to be San Jose State’s biggest commencement yet.

“I think students from all majors will be able to learn something from me,” West said. “Whether they are engineers or artists I have advice that will really be applicable.”

San Jose State University

San Jose State University is the oldest university on the West Coast and has around 33,000 students enrolled. Of those 33,000 students 5,400 are graduate students. Teams at the university are called Spartans and the university has been one of the top suppliers of students to tech firms in Silicon Valley.