Robert Steves, of Escalon, was among 646 eligible graduates at the Fresno Pacific University’s spring commencement, which took place in the Selland Arena at the Fresno Convention and Entertainment Center, near the corner of M and Ventura streets in downtown Fresno.

Steves received a B.A. in History.

The ceremony honored 244 graduates from the bachelor’s degree completion program, 215 from the traditional bachelor’s degree program and 187 master’s candidates (including 19 from Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary). The commencement address was by Ashley Swearengin, former Fresno mayor and president/CEO of Central Valley Community Foundation.

Fresno Pacific University is the only accredited Christian university founded in the Central Valley. FPU offers undergraduate, graduate and seminary programs that stress solid academic preparation and a strong ethical foundation to about 4,000 traditional and adult students on the main campus in southeast Fresno and regional campuses in North Fresno, Visalia, Bakersfield and Merced as well as online. The university also reaches about 6,000 students through professional development studies.