Looking good, Matadors! A group of new grads cheer and celebrate at the College of Humanities and College of Health and Human Development commencement ceremonies on May 21, 2023. Photo by David J. Hawkins.
A group of students take a group shot during the second College of Health and Human Development ceremony on May 21, 2023. Photo by Bryan Rodgers.
A group of students hold their diplomas during the second College of Health and Human Development ceremony on May 21, 2023. Photo by Bryan Rodgers.
A student celebrates during the second College of Health and Human Development ceremony on May 21, 2023. Photo by Bryan Rodgers.
A student celebrates during the second College of Health and Human Development ceremony on May 21, 2023. Photo by Bryan Rodgers.
A student carries a diploma during the second commencement ceremony for the College of Health and Human Development on May 21, 2023. Photo by Bryan Rodgers.
Author and screenwriter Charles Yu received an honorary doctorate of fine arts during the second commencement ceremony for the College of Health and Human Development on May 21, 2023. Photo by Bryan Rodgers.
A proud family celebrates their Matador’s accomplishments, at CSUN’s Honors Convocation, May 13, 2023. Photo by Sonia Gurrola.
A proud Matador Mom celebrates her son’s accomplishments, at CSUN’s Honors Convocation, May 13, 2023. Photo by Sonia Gurrola.
A proud grad of CSUN’s Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication celebrates at Honors Convocation, May 13, 2023. Photo by Sonia Gurrola.
Following the “Tradition of the Rose,” a graduate tosses a red rose on CSUN’s Matador Statue, at Honors Convocation, May 13, 2023. Photo by Sonia Gurrola.
Associated Students President and graduating senior Shayan Moshtael gets ready to celebrate at CSUN’s Honors Convocation, May 13, 2023. Photo by Sonia Gurrola.
CSUN’s Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Affairs, William Watkins, addresses graduates at Honors Convocation, May 13, 2023. Photo by Sonia Gurrola.
CSUN’s new Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Meera Komarraju, addresses graduates at Honors Convocation, May 13, 2023. Photo by Sonia Gurrola.
Shanelle Wikramanayake (center), who completed her master’s in biology, accepts the 2023 Nathan O. Freedman Memorial Award for Outstanding Graduate Student, on May 13, 2023. Photo by Sonia Gurrola.
Natalie Castillo, a double major in biology and in Central American studies, accepts the Wolfson Scholar Award — the top honor given to a graduating senior — at CSUN’s Honors Convocation, May 13, 2023. Photo by Sonia Gurrola.
Proud graduates celebrate their accomplishments, at CSUN’s Honors Convocation, May 13, 2023. Photo by Sonia Gurrola.
A proud Mom and graduate celebrates with her sons, at CSUN’s Honors Convocation, May 13, 2023. Photo by Sonia Gurrola.
Proud graduates and one of their professors celebrate their accomplishments, at CSUN’s Honors Convocation, May 13, 2023. Photo by Sonia Gurrola.
Rudy Ortega Jr. (at podium) and his family members perform a tribal welcome and blessing at the College of Humanities and College of Health and Human Development commencement ceremonies, May 21, 2023. CSUN conferred an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters on Ortega during the ceremony. Photo by David J. Hawkins.
A graduate and their four-legged furry friend celebrate at the commencement ceremony for CSUN’s College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, May 20, 2023. Photo by Bryan Rodgers.
A newly minted graduate is all smiles as she celebrates at the commencement ceremony for CSUN’s College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and the Michael D. Eisner College of Education, May 20, 2023. Photo by Bryan Rodgers.
A graduate celebrates at the commencement ceremony for CSUN’s College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and the Michael D. Eisner College of Education, May 20, 2023. Photo by Bryan Rodgers.
Graduates celebrate their achievements at the commencement ceremony for CSUN’s College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, May 20, 2023. Photo by Bryan Rodgers.
Cheers and fist-bumps! Graduates celebrate at the commencement ceremony for the Mike Curb College of the Arts, Media and Communication. Photo by Lee Choo.
Graduation day for the Mike Curb College of the Arts, Media and Communication, May 22, 2023. Photo by Lee Choo.
Some happy graduates smile for the camera at the Mike Curb College of the Arts, Media and Communication commencement ceremony on May 22, 2023. Photo by Lee Choo.
Milt Valera ’68 (Journalism), CEO of the National Notary Association, received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters at the commencement ceremony for the Mike Curb College of the Arts, Media and Communication on May 22, 2023. Photo by Lee Choo.
Showing some pride! Graduates from the Mike Curb College of the Arts, Media and Communication pose together during their commencement ceremony on May 22, 2023. Photo by Lee Choo.
Rudy Ortega Jr. (third from left) listens to the speakers on the platform with (from left) CSUN President Erika D. Beck, Chief of Staff to the President Genevieve Evans Taylor, and College of Humanities Dean Jeffrey Reader. Ortega received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters at the College of Humanities and College of Health and Human Development ceremony, May 21, 2023. Photo by David J. Hawkins.
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A brand-new graduate is all smiles as he receives a celebratory fist bump on stage from CSUN President Erika D. Beck, at the College of Humanities and College of Health and Human Development ceremonies on May 21, 2023. Photo by David J. Hawkins.
Success! A new graduate raises his arms in triumph as he crosses the stage at the commencement ceremony for the College of Humanities and College of Health and Human Development, May 21, 2023. Photo by David J. Hawkins.
Graduates celebrate their milestones at the commencement ceremony for CSUN’s College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, May 20, 2023. Photo by Sonia Gurrola.
A brand-new graduate celebrates his moment at the commencement ceremony for CSUN’s College of Engineering and Computer Science, May 19, 2023. Photo by Lee Choo.
A brand-new graduate celebrates and waves to her loved ones at the commencement ceremony for CSUN’s College of Engineering and Computer Science, May 19, 2023. Photo by Lee Choo.
Members of the Class of 2023 celebrate with their professors at the commencement ceremony for CSUN’s College of Engineering and Computer Science and College of Science and Mathematics, May 19, 2023. Photo by Lee Choo.
Sometimes the caps and mortarboards say it all at CSUN commencement, as this College of Science and Mathematics grad shows with hers, paying tribute to her family and roots, on May 19, 2023. Photo by Lee Choo.
Newly minted graduates of the College of Science and Mathematics get well-deserved fist bumps from faculty after crossing the stage at CSUN commencement, May 19, 2023. Photo by Lee Choo.
Time for joyous hugs with friends at Commencement 2023! Photo by Lee Choo.
Eden Shashoua, vice president for Associated Students was a speaker at the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics commencement ceremony on May 22, 2023. Photo by David J. Hawkins.
Ready for that diploma! Diana Vicente, former Associated Students president (2019-2020) crosses the stage at commencement for the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics. Photo by David J. Hawkins.
Celebrate! Graduates cheer at the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics commencement ceremony on May 22, 2023. Photo by David J. Hawkins.
Eight ceremonies over five days highlight more than 11,000 CSUN graduates
Commencement season at CSUN kicked off May 13 with Honors Convocation and continued with seven colorful and joyful ceremonies from May 19-22. Graduates, many of them sporting elaborately decorated mortarboards and vibrant flower leis, marched to their seats on the University Library lawn to the strains of “Pomp and Circumstance” (performed by the CSUN Jazz A Band), while loved ones cheered from the stands.
While waiting for the College of Engineering and Computer Science ceremony to begin, Alessia Marquez, graduating with her bachelor’s in mechanical engineering, stood in line with her service dog, Kylo. The duo wore matching mortarboards and were ready to celebrate, as Marquez reflected on her time at CSUN.
“I’ve grown a lot these past five years, and CSUN has really become my home. I’ve kind of built my own little family.”
After the graduates took their seats, CSUN administrators and college deans processed to the stage, led by CSUN President Erika D. Beck. The president wore her trademark sparkly red Converse tennis shoes, her “Commencement Chucks,” reserved especially for this time of year.
Beck recognized the particular accomplishments of the Class of 2023.
“Arriving at this moment took years of dedication and commitment in the midst of a global pandemic, and challenges that none of us could have anticipated,” she said. “It may not have been the college experience that you imagined, but it is a success story because you made it so. You chose to act, to respond, to persevere, even when it was unimaginably hard.”
An estimated 11,253 students, including 9,215 undergraduates and 2,038 graduate students, were eligible to participate in graduation exercises this year.
They join CSUN’s global alumni network that is more than 400,000 strong. One out of every 20 people who hold an undergraduate degree across the country is a California State University graduate— 10% came from CSUN.
In addition to the proud graduates, the university awarded three honorary doctorates during the ceremonies. CSUN conferred an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters on Rudy Ortega Jr., a familiar face on campus, as the community leader and tribal president of the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians, the historic tribe of northern Los Angeles County.
Author and television writer Charles Yu received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts, and Milt Valera ’68 (Journalism), CEO of the National Notary Association, received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.
After a couple of brief speeches, each graduate had the opportunity to cross the stage and hear their name read aloud — and receive a celebratory fist bump from President Beck.
“We believe in you, and we believe in the role that you will play in helping us achieve a brighter and more equitable future,” Beck said, “a future in which we hope you will always remember: ‘Once a Matador, always a Matador.’ “
Highlights from the seven commencement ceremonies and Honors Convocation can be viewed in the accompanying photos.
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