College of Agricultural Sciences Commencement

December 16, 2022

Order of Ceremony

Processional – Colorado State Brass Quintet

Welcome and Land Acknowledgement –  Dean James Pritchett

Presentation of the Colors – Wing Walker Honor Guard

God Bless America – Ms. Lucy Logan

National Anthem – Ms. Logan

Introduction of Platform Party and Commencement Speaker – Dean Pritchett

Commencement Address – Mr. Robert Sakata

Recognition of Latin Honors, First Generation, and University Honors Program Graduates – Assistant Dean Addy Elliott

Provost Remarks Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs – Jan Nerger

Conferring of Baccalaureate Degrees – Mr. Armando Valdez

Diploma Distribution – Dean Pritchett and Department Heads

Student Remarks – Ms. Laura Moore

Closing Remarks – Assistant Dean Matt Camper

Alma Mater – Ms. Logan

Platform and Faculty Recessional – Colorado State Brass Quintet

Announcer

Dr. Shawn Archibeque, Professor, Animal Sciences

Marshals

Dr. Dawn Thilmany, Department Marshal, Agricultural and Resource Economics

Dr. Cynthia Brown, Department Marshal, Agricultural Biology

Ms. Sarah Matlock, Department Marshal, Animal Sciences

Dr. Jim Klett, Department Marshal, Horticulture and Landscape Architecture

Dr. Meagan Schipanski, Department Marshal, Soil and Crop Sciences

On the Platform

Dr. Andrew Norton, Professor and College Marshal, Agricultural Biology

Dr. James Pritchett, Dean, College of Agricultural Sciences

Mr. Robert Sakata, Commencement Speaker and President of Sakata Farms

Dr. Jan Nerger, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Colorado State University

Mr. Armando Valdez, Vice Chair, Colorado State University Board of Governors

Dr. Susan James, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, Colorado State University

Dr. Sonia Kreidenweis, Interim Dean of the Graduate School and Vice Provost for Graduate Affairs, Colorado State University

Dr. Jan Leach, Associate Dean for Research, College of Agricultural Sciences

Dr. Eugene Kelly, Associate Dean for Extension and Deputy Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station, College of Agricultural Sciences

Mr. Matt Camper, Assistant Dean of Teaching Practice and Academic Programs, College of Agricultural Sciences

Ms. Addy Elliott, Assistant Dean of Advising and Student Success, College of Agricultural Sciences

Dr. Hayley Chouinard, Department Head, Agricultural and Resource Economics

Dr. Amy Charkowski, Department Head, Agricultural Biology

Dr. Keith Belk, Department Head, Animal Sciences

Dr. Mengmeng Gu, Department Head, Horticulture and Landscape Architecture

Dr. Francesca Cotrufo, Associate Department Head, Soil and Crop Sciences

Robert Sakata, Commencement Speaker

Robert T. Sakata is President of Sakata Farms in Brighton, Colorado, which was started by his father, Bob. Growing up on the family farm, his parents were a great example of how important involvement in the community is. Following their footsteps, Sakata is founding President for the Board of Directors for the Colorado Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, which aims to fill a need for a common voice representing produce growers across the state.

Sakata also serves on the Board of Directors for the Colorado Water Congress, the Fulton Irrigation Company, the New Brantner Irrigation Ditch Company and the Brighton Ditch Company. He is the agricultural representative on the Metro Basin Roundtable, and is on the Board of Trustees for the National Onion Association.

Sakata served Colorado on the Water Quality Control Commission for 15 years appointed by three different governors. While studying at the Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology Department at University of Colorado, Sakata worked for AMGEN when they opened their research labs in Boulder. Currently Sakata Farms grows onions, winter wheat, grain corn, and pinto beans on his family farm.