Newly graduated Matadors are all smiles at the College of Humanities and College of Health and Human Development I ceremony on the University Library Lawn on Sunday, May 19, 2024. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)
Graduates celebrate their academic milestones during the College of Humanities and College of Health and Human Development I ceremony on the University Library Lawn on Sunday, May 19, 2024. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)
A new graduate beams with pride during the College of Health and Human Development II ceremony on the University Library Lawn on Sunday, May 19, 2024. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)
So happy! Graduates celebrate during the College of Health and Human Development II ceremony on the University Library Lawn on Sunday, May 19, 2024. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)
Just-graduated Matadors celebrate as they take their next big step during the College of Health and Human Development II ceremony on the University Library Lawn on Sunday, May 19, 2024. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)
A brand-new graduate celebrates as she crosses the stage during the commencement ceremony for CSUN’s David Nazarian College of Business and Economics on May 20, 2024. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)
A joyful graduate celebrates with her mom after the commencement ceremony for CSUN’s David Nazarian College of Business and Economics on May 20, 2024. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)
Jubilant graduate students celebrate their accomplishments, during the commencement ceremony for CSUN’s David Nazarian College of Business and Economics on May 20, 2024. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)
Journalism/public relations graduate Sydnee Roddy celebrates the finish line as she crosses the commencement stage, at the ceremony for CSUN’s Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication on May 20, 2024. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)
Graduates celebrate and pose for a selfie at the commencement ceremony for CSUN’s Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication on May 20, 2024. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)
A graduate shows off his Native pride at the commencement ceremony for CSUN’s Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication on May 20, 2024. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)
2024 graduates celebrate at Honors Convocation on the University Library Lawn, Saturday, May 11, 2024. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)
Wolfson Scholar Mitul Kalra beams alongside CSUN President Erika D. Beck at Honors Convocation, May 11, 2024. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)
Students laugh at the 2024 CSUN College of Science and Mathematics/College of Engineering and Computer Science commencement ceremony on May 17, 2024. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)
Students cheer at the CSUN College of Science and Mathematics/College of Engineering and Computer Science on the Library Lawn at California State University, Northridge in Los Angeles, California, Friday, May 17, 2024. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)
The Michael D. Eisner College of Education and College of Social and Behavioral Sciences II commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 18, 2024. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)
The CSUN Michael D. Eisner College of Education and College of Social and Behavioral Sciences II commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 18, 2024. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)
Students clap at the CSUN Michael D. Eisner College of Education and College of Social and Behavioral Sciences II commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 18, 2024. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)
Students raise their new degrees at the College of Science and Mathematics/College of Engineering and Computer Science commencement ceremony on the Library Lawn of California State University, Northridge in Los Angeles, California, Friday, May 17, 2024. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)
All that hard work. A graduate takes a moment to reflect with a family member at the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences I ceremony on Saturday, May 18, 2024. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)
Cheers at Honors Convocation on the University Library Lawn on Saturday, May 11, 2024. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)
A fond farewell: Graduates wave during their commencement ceremony for the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences on Saturday, May 18, 2024. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)
I see you! Happy family members spot their grad at the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences I ceremony on Saturday, May 18, 2024. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)
Sheena Malhotra, professor of Gender and Women’s Studies and director of the Queer Studies Program addresses the graduates celebrating at Rainbow Graduation, Friday, May 17, 2024 in the University Student Union. (Photo credit: Steven Wein)
Celebrating with style! Students gathered for Black Graduation celebrations on the University Library Lawn on Sunday, May 12, 2024. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)
Black Graduation celebrations are a long-standing tradition at CSUN. This year’s event took place on the University Library Lawn, Sunday, May 12, 2024. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)
Celebrants gathered for the Black Graduation celebration Sunday, May 12, 2024. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)
Grads gather for a photo at a celebration for CSUN’s veterans on Saturday, May 11, 2024 in the University Student Union. (Photo Credit: Briana Walden.)
Commencement season at CSUN never fails to disappoint, and 2024 has been no exception: Eight joyous ceremonies kicked off May 11 with Honors Convocation, and continued May 17-20 as graduates from eight colleges crossed the stage. Celebrating their transition from students to alumni, the new grads showed their flair with elaborate sashes, colorful leis and vibrantly decorated mortarboards. They processed across the University Library Lawn, waving to loved ones in the grandstands as CSUN’s Jazz A Band played “Pomp and Circumstance.”
Waiting for the Mike Curb College of of Arts, Media, and Communication ceremony to begin May 20, Roberto Marcial — graduating with a bachelor’s degree in journalism/public relations — reflected on his years at CSUN after transferring from College of the Canyons.
“It feels so surreal knowing that I’m graduating college after all these years,” Marcial said. “It took a long time for me to get here, so I’m actually really excited. My whole journey was worth it.”
Michael Gonzalez, also graduating with a bachelor’s degree in journalism/public relations, was enjoying the festive atmosphere in line with Marcial and other friends. Leaving CSUN is a bittersweet experience, he said.
“It really did become a home for me, especially when I was living in (dorm) housing,” Gonzalez said. “Now that I’m at this stage, I feel like I’m leaving my second home.”
After the graduates marched in and took their seats, CSUN administrators and deans processed to the stage, led by CSUN President Erika D. Beck. Beck was dressed for the festivities, pairing her traditional academic regalia with her “Commencement Chucks,” the sparkly red Converse tennis shoes that she reserves especially for this time of year. She acknowledged that many of the graduates missed the opportunity to celebrate high school graduation during the global pandemic.
“Today we are ready to make up for that loss, with all the pomp and circumstance we can muster, because you have earned it, two times over!” Beck said.
An estimated 10,924 students, including 8,929 undergraduates and 1,995 graduate students, were eligible to participate in the ceremonies this year. The graduates join a Matador alumni family that’s now more than 425,000 strong.
In addition to celebrating this year’s graduates, the university also honored four alumni with honorary doctorates that were bestowed during three of the seven ceremonies. CSUN conferred honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees on Andrew Anagnost ’87 (Engineering), CEO of Autodesk; Debra Farar ’75 (English), M.A. ’87 (Early Childhood Education), CSU trustee emerita and education consultant; David Nazarian ’82 (Business Administration), CEO and founder of Nimes Capital — and namesake of the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics — and Robert Taylor ’82 (Engineering), president and CEO of Centinela Capital Partners.
To cap off the ceremonies, each of the graduates had the opportunity to cross the stage, hear their names read aloud and receive congratulations from President Beck.
“While I very much enjoy my sparkly red Commencement Chucks, their sparkle pales in comparison to the brilliance around each of you,” Beck said. “I want you all to know that we are inspired by you and the role that you continue to play in helping us realize a brighter and more equitable future … Congratulations, Class of 2024!”
Highlights from the commencement ceremonies, Honors Convocation and other graduation festivities can be viewed in the accompanying photos. For more news about CSUN graduates, including special graduate profiles, visit CSUN Newsroom.
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