SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. - Culminating years of dedication, hard work and countless hours of studying, more than 3,300 students will be eligible to graduate from Cal State San Bernardino when the university hosts six separate commencement ceremonies June 17-20.

The university will present the ceremonies held over three days, beginning with commencement exercises for CSUSB's Palm Desert Campus on Thursday, June 17, at 6 p.m. at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Rancho Mirage.

Philanthropist Betty M. Barker, a longtime university supporter who was instrumental in raising the funds to develop CSUSB's Palm Desert Campus, will be presented an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters during the ceremonies.

The university's Palm Desert Campus will also honor Antonio Salcedo of Cathedral City as the outstanding undergraduate and Lynda Kerney of Palm Springs as the outstanding graduate student. Both will speak at the commencement ceremony.

Forty-five years after enrolling its first students, Cal State San Bernardino will host graduation ceremonies at its main campus, where each of the academic colleges will hold separate commencement ceremonies on June 19-20 at Coussoulis Arena.

On Saturday, June 19, the university's College of Social and Behavioral Sciences will honor its graduates at 9 a.m. The college will recognize Mark Ocegueda of San Bernardino as the outstanding undergraduate and Heather Fickas of La Verne as the outstanding graduate student.

At 2 p.m., graduation ceremonies will be held for CSUSB's College of Natural Sciences. Matthew Strader of Yucca Valley will be honored as the outstanding undergraduate and Erin Strong of Rialto will be honored as the outstanding graduate student.

The university's College of Education will hold its graduation ceremony at 6 p.m. on June 19. James R. Watson - who has enthusiastically contributed to the university, headed the fundraising campaign to support the new College of Education building and helped establish the Watson and Associates Literacy Center on campus - will be presented an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.

On Sunday, June 20, Cal State San Bernardino's College of Business and Public Administration will hold its commencement at 9 a.m. The college will honor Rachel Wolfinbarger of Fontana as its outstanding undergraduate and Susan Powell of Menifee as its outstanding graduate student.

Following at 2 p.m. the university's College of Arts and Letters will conduct its graduation, where three students will be honored. Nadine Hanhan of Barstow will be recognized as the outstanding undergraduate, Kimberly Aguilar of Calimesa as the outstanding graduate student and Aaron Brock of Highland as the outstanding undergraduate of the liberal studies program.