San Jose, Calif.-----One hundred twenty-one (121) current and former San Jose State University student-athletes can participate in the University's Commencement and department convocation ceremonies taking place May 23-27. The University's annual Commencement exercise is in Spartan Stadium, May 26, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Students who received a baccalaureate or master's degree from the University during the 2011 summer and fall terms or anticipate receiving a degree or credential upon completion of the spring semester may participate in the Commencement that annually confers academic degrees to 6,000 or more students and attracts 20,000-plus family members and friends.

HONOR STUDENTS - WOMEN'S XC LEADS THE WAY WITH FOUR

Thirteen (13) student-athletes are graduating with cum laude (3.50 cumulative grade-point average) or magna cum laude (3.70 cumulative grade-point average) or summa cum laude (3.85 cumulative grade-point average) honors. Gymnast Shanice Howard, the 2011 Arthur Ashe Sports Scholar Female Student-Athlete of the Year, and water polo player Kelly Stewart earned summa cum laude honors.

Women's cross country runners Talia Gragert and Beth Raymond, tennis player Olivia Marshall, and gymnast Lily Swann achieved magna cum laude distinction.

Swimmer Heather Denman, women's basketball players Marnesha Hall and Sara Plavljanin, women's cross country runners Kate Lambdin and Sasha Martinez, water polo's Megan Lane and women's soccer player Lauren Ng-Pinkerton earned cum laude status.

OUTSTANDING TEAMS - 30 FOR FOOTBALL

Football has the most student-athletes listed in the University's 2012 Commencement booklet. For the first fifth year in a row, football had at least 20 eligible students for commencement exercises with an all-time high of 30, which includes two master's degree candidates - Scott Rislov, the starting quarterback on the 2011 and 2002 Spartans and running back Patrick Perry. Women's swimming (12) and baseball (10) are two more sports with a double-figure total.

At the May 26 ceremony, Jenny Ming (Class of 1978), founder and former president of the Old Navy apparel line, will deliver the Commencement address.

More information on the University's Commencement ceremony is available at www.sjsu.edu.

Click on the link above for a list of student-athletes and current and past athletics staff who are eligible to participate in Commencement.