Jose Rodriguez Sr., B.A. Art, gives a victory fist pump as he walks behind his son (front left) Jose Rodriguez, Jr., B.A. Sociology, as they process with other graduates as part of this year's Commencement ceremony.
º£½ÇÉçÇøCI celebrated commencement on campus with two in-person ceremonies held on May 17 at the South Quad. Thousands of parents, families, and friends cheered for graduating students who received bachelor’s or master’s degrees, and credentials, during the morning and afternoon ceremonies. Students eligible to graduate were 2,266 with almost 1,500 participating in the ceremonies.
A University Bell was donated by ’05 º£½ÇÉçÇøCI alumna and Associate Vice President for Communication & Public Relations, Nancy Covarrubias Gill. As part of the campus’ Commencement traditions, the ringing of a bell is bestowed upon an honored staff member of the campus and symbolizes the official opening of each commencement ceremony. This year’s honorees included Dani Rae, Associate Director of Student Conduct & CARE in the morning, and Tatiana Juarez, STEM Transfer Success Outreach Coordinator, in the afternoon.
The Light of Learning symbolizes the University’s commitment to the life of the mind and the central role played by outstanding faculty. The Honorary Marshal who carries the Light of Learning is selected by the President as an administrator or faculty member who has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to students and the University. Leslie Abell, a Sociology lecturer, was selected to carry the Light of Learning in the morning, and Thomas Clobes, Assistant Professor of Health Science in the afternoon.
The º£½ÇÉçÇøCI Mace represents the authority of the University at official and ceremonial functions for the lifetime of the institution and is carried by the Chief University Marshal and Academic Senate Chair, which this year was carried by Christina Smith, Professor of Communication.
Student speakers selected to provide remarks during the ceremonies included Alden Benjamin Lopez-Hernandez in the morning, and Jazmin Guajardo in the afternoon.
Students who sang the National Anthem included Dana Isabel Joaquin Juat and Sarah Ysordia in the morning and Rachel Gutierrez in the afternoon. Students who offered a welcome in Spanish included Itzel Tena-Ortiz in the morning and Erika Orozco in the afternoon.