Central State University Announces 2018 Commencement and Baccalaureate Ceremonies

CSU Commencement Saturday

Central State University will celebrate its 2018 graduating class during the University's annual commencement exercise on Saturday, May 5, at the Dayton Convention Center. A Dayton-area journalist and a local pastor will be the featured speakers at this year's ceremonies.

Approximately 200 graduates from across the United States will receive their degrees during Commencement, which will be held at 10 a.m. Tickets are required for admission. Malik Perkins, a news reporter and multi-media journalist for WHIO TV, will be addressing the graduating class.

A 2014 graduate, Mr. Perkins has been actively pursuing his passion for broadcasting since his junior year at Central State. While a student, he volunteered at Jazzy 88.9 WCSU FM, where he developed his craft. That led him to host, Jazz at Sundown, which aired on the radio station.

While a senior, Mr. Perkins began working at WHIO Radio as an overnight board operator. He eventually become a multimedia journalist for WHIO TV and the Dayton Daily News.

During his time as a Marauder, Mr. Perkins played trumpet with the Invincible Marching Marauders, served as Mr. College of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences and he also served as president for the university's chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists. As a WHIO TV journalist, Mr. Perkins covers the city of Trotwood, local non-profit organizations and social issues in the Miami Valley.

The celebratory weekend starts with a Baccalaureate Ceremony held at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 4. The event, which is open to the public, will be held in the University's Paul Robeson Cultural & Performing Arts Center. The Rev. Frederick A. Hayes. Sr., pastor of Freedom Faith Missionary Baptist Church, of Dayton, Ohio, will be the featured speaker.

Rev. Hayes has been Pastor of Freedom Faith for the past 17 years. He has grown the church economically, socially, but most important, spiritually. Under his leadership, over 30 ministries have been formed and are serving the membership and surrounding communities. In 2013, the church relocated to a new 15,000 sq. ft. edifice equipped with administrative offices, classrooms, recreational spaces and a 300-seat dining/multi-purpose hall to meet the ministerial needs of a growing congregation.

For more information about the speakers and events, visit http://centralstate.edu/.

About Central State University:

Central State University, located in Wilberforce, Ohio, is a regionally accredited 1890 Land-Grant University with a 131-year tradition of preparing students from diverse backgrounds and experiences for leadership, research and service. The University fosters academic excellence within a nurturing environment and provides a strong liberal arts foundation and STEM-Ag curriculum leading to professional careers and advanced studies globally.