CSUN 2014-15 Academic Year Ends With Pomp and Circumstance

  • CSU Chancellor Timothy White presents Robert Townsend with his honorary CSUN doctorate as President Dianne F. Harrison looks on, during the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communication commencement ceremony, May 16, 2015. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • CSUN graduate approaches the stage to receive her degree at the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communications commencement ceremony, May 16, 2015. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Students from the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communication celebrate their commencement on Saturday, May 16. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • CSU Chancellor Timothy White addresses the graduates at the 2015 commencement ceremony for the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communication, May 16, 2015. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Vice President for Student Affairs and alumnus William Watkins addresses the graduates at the 2015 Commencement ceremony for the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communication, May 16, 2015. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Honorary doctorate recipient Robert Townsend, May 16, 2015. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Honorary doctorate recipient Robert Townsend gives the CSUN graduates great advice as they embark on their new journey. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • CSUN President Dianne F. Harrison addresses the graduates at the 2015 Commencement ceremony for the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communication, May 16, 2015. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • The commencement for the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communication on May 16, 2015. The 8 a.m. ceremony took place on the Delmar T. Oviatt Library lawn. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Graduating Matador student-athletes, including public relations major Travis Newman (women's basketball, pictured center) celebrate at the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communications commencement ceremony, May 16, 2015. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Gabriella Aguirre rocks her "A O Pi" sash as she celebrates her graduation from the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communication, May 16, 2015. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • A cluster of new master's degree recipients celebrate their graduation during commencement on May 16, 2015. Photo by Victor Kamont.

  • A bachelor's degree recipient holds her placard high during commencement on May 16, 2015. Photo by Victor Kamont.

  • A new CSUN bachelor's degree recipient holds her placard proudly as she finishes her commencement walk on May 16, 2015. Photo by Victor Kamont.

  • Graduating friends pose together during commencement on May 16, 2015. Photo by Victor Kamont.

  • CSUN graduate poses with her new degree during commencement on May 16, 2015. Photo by Victor Kamont.

  • A doctoral degree recipient poses proudly with her hood and degree during commencement on May 16, 2015. Photo by Victor Kamont.

  • Families cheer on the graduating class of 2015. Photo by Victor Kamont.

  • An ecstatic graduate poses with his master's degree at commencement on May 16, 2015. Photo by Victor Kamont.

  • Graduating Matadors pose for selfies at the at the Commencement ceremony for graduate students and the Michael D. Eisner College of Education, May 15, 2015. Photo by Victor Kamont.

  • CSUN graduates line up to receive degrees at the College of Science and Mathematics commencement ceremony, May 18, 2015. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Graduates approach the stage to receive degrees from the College of Science and Mathematics, May 18, 2015. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Graduates from the College of Science and Mathematics celebrate their commencement, May 18, 2015. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Graduates pose together during the College of Science and Mathematics commencement, May 18, 2015. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Outstanding Graduate Tania Benjamin poses with President Dianne F. Harrison during College of Science and Mathematics commencement, May 18, 2015. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Graduating Asian American Studies majors pose together at the College of Humanities commencement, May 18, 2015. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Graduating Chicano Studies majors, including Grace Castañeda (far left), salute the flag during the College of Humanities commencement, May 18, 2015. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Graduate celebrates at the College of Humanities commencement, May 18, 2015. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Photo by David Hawkins.

  • New graduate Grace Castañeda poses for pictures following the College of Humanities commencement, May 18, 2015. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Dean of Humanities, Elizabeth A. Say speaks to the graduates during the College of Humanities commencement, May 18, 2015. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Graduates toss beach balls in the air at the College of Engineering and Computer Science commencement, May 18, 2015. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Honors student rises for acknowledgment at the College of Engineering and Computer Science commencement, May 18, 2015. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • President Dianne F. Harrison speaks to the graduates at the College of Engineering and Computer Science commencement, May 18, 2015. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • A bachelor's degree recipient smiles as she finishes her commencement walk at the College of Engineering and Computer Science commencement, May 18, 2015. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Dean S.K. Ramesh speaks to graduates during the College of Engineering and Computer Science commencement, May 18, 2015. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • President Dianne F. Harrison addresses the graduates at the College of Engineering and Computer Science commencement, May 18, 2015. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Graduating Finance students pose together during David Nazarian College of Business and Economics commencement, May 18, 2015. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Graduates pose together during the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics commencement, May 18, 2015. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Honors student rises for acknowledgment during the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics commencement, May 18, 2014. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • A new CSUN bachelor's degree recipient celebrates as he finishes his commencement walk during the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics commencement, May 18, 2015. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Proud families snapping pictures during David Nazarian College of Business and Economics commencement, May 18, 2015. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • CSUN graduates celebrate during the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics commencement, May 18, 2015. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Victor Kamont.

  • Photo by Victor Kamont.

  • Photo by Victor Kamont.

  • Photo by Victor Kamont.

  • Photo by Victor Kamont.

  • Photo by Victor Kamont.

  • Photo by Victor Kamont.

  • Photo by Luis Garcia.

  • Photo by Luis Garcia.

  • Photo by Luis Garcia.

  • Photo by Luis Garcia.

  • Photo by Luis Garcia.

  • Photo by Luis Garcia.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • A new bachelor's degree recipient raises his placard high at the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences commencement, May 17, 2015. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • CSUN graduates pose with their placards at the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences commencement, May 17, 2015.Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Former LA County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, who received a CSUN honorary doctorate, addresses graduates at the 2015 Commencement ceremony for the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, May 17, 2015. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Former LA County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, who received a CSUN honorary doctorate, addresses graduates at the 2015 Commencement ceremony for the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, May 17, 2015. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Former LA County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, donning his new CSUN honorary doctorate, leads the recessional at the 2015 Commencement ceremony for the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, May 17, 2015. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • President Dianne F. Harrison presents former LA County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky with his CSUN honorary doctorate at the 2015 Commencement ceremony for the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, May 17, 2015. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Graduating President of Associated Students Tiffany Zaich stands as her name is called at the 2015 Commencement ceremony for the College of Health and Human Development, May 16, 2015. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • College of Health and Human Development Dean Sylvia Alva addresses the college's graduates at the 2015 Commencement ceremony, May 16, 2015. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • Photo by Luis Garcia.

  • Photo by Luis Garcia.

  • Photo by Luis Garcia.

  • Journalism major Pete D. Camarillo, who served as the sports editor for the student newspaper The Sundial, poses for a selfie with a fellow grad at the 2015 Commencement ceremony for the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communication. Photo by Luis Garcia.

  • Photo by Luis Garcia.

  • Photo by Luis Garcia.

  • CSU Chancellor Timothy White addresses graduates at the Commencement 2015 ceremony for the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communication, May 12, 2015. Photo by Luis Garcia.

  • 2015 Wolfson Scholar Tania Benjamin, CSUN's top honor for a graduate, celebrates after accepting her diploma during the Commencement ceremony for the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communication, May 12, 2015. Photo by Luis Garcia.

  • Photo by Luis Garcia.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • CSUN President Dianne F. Harrison leads the procession, along with CSU Chancellor Timothy White (left) and honorary doctorate recipient Robert Townsend (right), at the 2015 Commencement ceremony for the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communication, May 16, 2015. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Photo by Lee Choo.

According to 2015 California State University, Northridge graduation speaker Robert Townsend, one out of every 20 college graduates in the United States is a product of the California State University system. CSUN added to that count over the May 16, 2015 weekend when it hosted seven commencement ceremonies for over 10,658 students eligible to go from Matador students to alumni.

The graduation season got off to a rocky start at CSUN when the Honors Convocation was cancelled due to inclement weather, and a power outage later hit the campus. However, those speed bumps smoothed out and the procession continued to Friday night’s Graduate Student Ceremony Graduate students, where 2,423 Masters and 55 Doctoral candidates from all colleges and programs (except College of Social & Behavioral Sciences) were honored.

Saturday, May 16 saw both the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communication and College of Health and Human Development fete their students and send them off to their next challenges in life. Mike Curb had 1,535 students eligible to cross the stage; Health and Human Development had 1,606.

Sunday, May 17 saw the graduation ceremonies of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, split in two, and Michael D. Eisner College of Education. The morning CSBS event involved 1,331 students from students from the departments of Africana Studies, anthropology, geography, history, psychology and Urban Studies & Planning, as well as Eisner and deaf studies students; the evening service had the other half of the CSBS department — 1,458 eligible students from the departments of political science (which includes public administration public sector management, public policy and programs), sociology, and social work.

Monday, May 18 finished the CSUN commencement rounds as the 1,459 eligible-to-graduate students from the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics crossed Oviatt Lawn and picked up their diplomas. The last graduation of the 2014-15 academic year involved the group of 1,607 eligible College of Engineering and Computer Science, College of Science and Mathematics, and College of Humanities students who crossed the stage and became Matadors for life.

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