More than 3,800 students changed their status to alumni during Central's 2018 graduation ceremonies held June 8 through June 10.
For the first time, a separate commencement was held for those who received master's or educational specialist degrees from 31 graduate programs, on Friday evening, June 8.
Provost Katherine Frank noted that those graduates joined just 9 percent of Americans with master's or education specialist degrees.
"A more educated society can only be a more respectful, more civil society. Please do your part toward this end," Franks said.
Grammy-winner and new alumnus Michael, “the Wanz,” Wansley performed the national anthem for the Ellensburg and Kent commencement ceremonies. Wanz received his bachelor of arts in music. He posted on Facebook: “Never give up, finish what you start, and you’ll never have regret weighing down your heart.”
Civility was also addressed by Washington Lt. Gov. Cyrus Habib, during his two commencement addresses Saturday at Tomlinson Stadium.
"We need men and women with education to chart the way to a better America, where we stop viewing our party, racial, or sexual identity as a source of division," he said. "You're in a very elite group, those with college degrees, and we need you more than ever to imagine a more perfect union for our country."
On Sunday, at the ShoWare Center in Kent, graduates from the Puget Sound area CWU University Centers received their degrees.
1979 CWU-Lynnwood alumnus, J. Christopher Lytle, executive director of the Port of Oakland, California, addressed the graduates, broaching the matter of civility on a global level.
"Don't succumb to misguided nationalism - don't disengage from the world," he admonished. "Extreme protectionism - this us versus them - is dating, frustrating, and it's futile. You helped create this world of interconnectedness, you sustain it, and you will protect it. So, no pressure - just go out and save the world."
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