Graduation season begins today at Golden 1 Center as Sacramento State’s commencement ceremonies kick off this weekend.
Before you adjust your gown and move that tassel to the left — we thought we’d share some of the most notable Hornets to have graced the university’s halls.
Stingers up for all the Hornets graduating this weekend. | Photo by SACtoday staff
🎓 Tom Hanks
One of Sac State’s more notable alumni is also arguably its most famous dropout. The Oscar-winning actor transferred to Sac State after studying theater for two years at Chabot College in Hayward. Tom left after one year to intern full time at the Great Lakes Theater Festival in Cleveland, however, but his son Colin was born + raised in Sac — and even made a documentary about Tower Records.
🎓 Ryan Coogler
The Oakland-born director of “Black Panther” — who made the whole world say “Wakanda forever” — not only majored in finance, he played football for the Hornets as well, racking up 112 receptions (which ranks fourth all-time in Sac State football history) for 1,213 yards + six touchdowns across four seasons.
🎓 Lester Holt
The Cordova High School alum best known for his work on NBC Nightly News + Dateline NBC is another of the university’s famous dropouts. He left during his junior year to work at a San Francisco radio station, but was eventually awarded an honorary degree from the school in 2015 with his father — another Sac State alum — in attendance.
🎓 Bobby McFerrin
The folk + jazz musician who told the world “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” originally planned on being a minister of music before he attended Sac State, after which he joined Ice Follies — an ice-skating show with pop-music bandswhich would later produce Disney on Ice — as their piano player.
🎓 Maya Angelou
While not technically a student, we would be remiss not to include Ms. Angelou — who was a visiting professor at Sac State in the 1970s — on this list. The world-renowned poet + authornot only taught literature, writing, and philosophy to students at Sac State, but made appearances and spoke at Sac City College, UC Davis, and University of the Pacific.
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Art Gallery and Art Cafe | Wednesdays-Fridays | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | The Atrium, 1020 Front St. | Free | Explore local + eco-friendly crafts, from inner-tube wallets to homemade jewelry. ♻️
Saturday
Best Fest (Vol 1) | Sat., March 21 | 4-11 p.m. | The Red Museum, 212 15th St. | $15+ | Catch rising local bands, like the sardonic sunshine pop artist Best Move to So Much Light’s acoustic R&B, at this inaugural show.
Community Fair | Sat., March 21 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Luther Burbank High School, 3500 Florin Rd. | Free | Enjoy live performances, tune in to motivational speakers, watch a Wide Open Walls student mural jam + more at this family-friendly event.
Folsom VYBE Music Festival | Sat., May 21 | 1:40 p.m. | The Field at Lakeside Commons, the corner of Oak & Bidwell | $49+ | Benefit Folsom’s Twin Lakes Food Bank as you watch Switchfoot, Colony House + other rock bands take the stage. 🎸
Midtown Market | Saturdays | 10 a.m. | 2011 J St. | Free | Enjoy a rotating selection of local artists, music, food and vendors. 🥬
Strollin’ Down Vibe Street | Sat., May 21 | 6 p.m. | CLARA Auditorium, 1425 24th St. | $25+ | Check out local musicians, educators + students who have formed this 18-piece band to break the barriers between musical genres. 🔊
Sunday
Certified Farmers’ Market | Sundays | 8 a.m.-12 p.m. | 1689 Arden Way | Free | Buy farm-to-table fruits, veggies, and meats directly from farmers in the Farm-to-Fork Capital.
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
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State health officials announced Wednesday that access to COVID-19 testing + treatment centers would be expanded over the next two weeks, particularly for residents without health insurance. The California Department of Public Health will open 146 new “test to treat” sites across the state — there are currently 320+ sites within a 25 mile radius of downtown Sacramento. (KCRA 3)
Wellness
Woodland resident Juan Acosta was one of30 people who visited the White House this week to speak with First Lady Dr. Jill Biden as part of the first-ever mental health youth action forum. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. (CBS 13)
Retirement community Oakmont of East Sacramento has partnered with Massachusetts-based Rendever to help people struggling with dementia + Alzheimer’sthrough the use of virtual reality. Each headset is uniquely programmed with the goal of promoting memory and easing feelings of loneliness. (KCRA 3)
Sacramentan
Rosemary Abbington-Reed of East Sac recently celebrated her 100th birthday. When asked what her secrets to a long life are, Rosemary said one of them is “Work, but don’t work every day of your life.”We think that’s something everyone can get behind. 🎂(KCRA 3)
Sports
Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé has named his daughter, Anjali Ranadivé, as the new assistant general manager for the Stockton Kings, Sac’s G League Team. Anjali will assist in basketball operations, including player development, evaluations + strategy. 👑 (KCRA 3)
The Kings’ schedule for the fourth annual California Classic has been revealed. The event will be hosted at Chase Center by the Golden State Warriors, who the Kings will play Sat., July 2, at 2 p.m. The Kings will also tip off against the Miami Heat on Sun., July 3, at 4:30 p.m. Get your tickets before it’s too late. 🏀 (NBA.com)
Development
UC Davis is set to break ground on a new $579 million surgery center in Sacramento this fall. The project — called The 48X Complex — will be a four-story, 262,000-sqft center with 12 operating rooms + 60 recovery bays, along with minor procedure rooms, lab and pharmacy services, and more. 🏗️ (Sac Biz Journal)
Open
Rocklin’s newest brunch spot — Mario’s Early Toast — officially opens today. The eatery’s third location will occupy the former Denny’s space at 4460 Rocklin Rd. + serve breakfast, brunch, and lunch. 🍽️ (Sac Biz Journal)
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Learn
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Editor’s pick:Fun fact: I actually went to college for film production with the intention of writing sitcoms after graduation. While I made many silly short films in school, I quickly learned I enjoyed informing people as much as making them laugh, which makes writing this newsletter for all of you as sweet as Reese’s Pieces.
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