Commencement 2022 in Photos

  • A large crowd of graduates in caps, gowns and sashes clap and cheer, at Commencement 2022.

    Graduates celebrate at the Commencement ceremony for CSUN's David Nazarian College of Business and Economics, on May 22, 2022. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • A student-athlete and new graduate raises his fist in the air and holds his red diploma cover, as he crosses the stage at Commencement 2022.

    A newly minted graduate celebrates as he crosses the stage at the Commencement ceremony for CSUN's David Nazarian College of Business and Economics, on May 22, 2022. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • Congressman Brad Sherman stands at podium on stage, speaking to the Class of 2022 at Commencement.

    Congressman Brad Sherman congratulates the Class of 2022 at the Commencement ceremony for CSUN's David Nazarian College of Business and Economics, on May 22, 2022. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • Honorary Doctorate recipient and CSUN alumnus stands a podium, raising his hand toward the sky and speaking to graduates at Commencement 2022.

    Civic and business leader and CSUN alumnus Paul Jennings addresses the Class of 2022, after receiving an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters during the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics Commencement ceremony on May 22, 2022. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • Associated Students President and graduate Jonathan Hay, in cap and gown, stands at a podium and speaks to the Class of 2022 at Commencement.

    Business Honors graduate and Associated Students President Jonathan Hay congratulates his fellow graduates, at the Commencement ceremony for CSUN's David Nazarian College of Business and Economics, on May 22, 2022. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • A graduate in cap, gown and sash holds up her red diploma cover as she walks off the stage at Commencement 2022, in front of the University Library.

    Newly minted graduates celebrate at the Commencement ceremony for CSUN's Michael D. Eisner College of Education and College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, on May 21, 2022. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Graduates in brightly decorated caps, gowns and master's degree hoods stand and smile, at their seats at Commencement 2022.

    Graduates celebrate at the Commencement ceremony for CSUN's Michael D. Eisner College of Education and College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, on May 21, 2022. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Faculty members shake hands with a graduate in cap and gown, as she walks down from the Commencement in front of the University Library.

    Faculty members congratulate a new graduate at the Commencement ceremony for CSUN's Michael D. Eisner College of Education and College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, on May 21, 2022. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • A row of doctoral graduates in black robes and light-blue stripes pose for a group selfie at Commencement 2022.

    Doctoral graduates in Educational Leadership celebrate at the Commencement ceremony for CSUN's Michael D. Eisner College of Education and College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, on May 21, 2022. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • A crowd of graduates in caps, gowns and sashes smile and hold their red diploma covers, in front of the University Library at Commencement 2022.

    Newly minted graduates celebrate at the Commencement ceremony for CSUN's College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, on May 21, 2022. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • U.S. Senator Alex Padilla stands with his wife, Angela Gabriela Padilla (in cap and gown and holding her red diploma cover), with their three children, on stage after the Commencement ceremony for CSUN's College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

    Angela Gabriela Padilla (center) celebrates her master's degree graduation with her husband, U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California, at left), and their family, at CSUN's Commencement ceremony for the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences on May 21, 2022. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • A crowd of CSUN graduates in caps, gowns and sashes, smile as they wait in their seats in front of the University Library, at Commencement 2022.

    Newly minted graduates celebrate at the Commencement ceremony for CSUN's College of Engineering and Computer Science and College of Science and Mathematics, on May 20, 2022. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • A new graduate in cap, gown and sash holds his red CSUN diploma case and waves as he crosses the Commencement stage.

    A brand-new graduate celebrates as he crosses the stage at the Commencement ceremony for CSUN's College of Engineering and Computer Science and College of Science and Mathematics, on May 20, 2022. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • A crowd of new graduates claps and cheers during Honors Convocation 2022.

    New graduates celebrate at CSUN's Honors Convocation on May 14, 2022. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Two CSUN graduates in black Commencement gowns perform the National Anthem in American Sign Language, at Honors Convocation 2022.

    Graduates perform the National Anthem in American Sign Language, at CSUN's Honors Convocation on May 14, 2022. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • CSUN alumna Irene Tovar stands at a podium, to receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from a member of the CSUN faculty, at Commencement 2022.

    Community activist and CSUN alumna Irene Tovar is presented with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters during the Commencement ceremony for CSUN's College of Humanities and College of Health and Human Development, on May 23, 2022. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Honorary Doctorate recipient and CSUN alumna Irene Tovar stands at a podium, speaking to graduates at Commencement 2022.

    Community activist and CSUN alumna Irene Tovar addresses the Class of 2022, after receiving an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters during the Commencement ceremony for CSUN's College of Humanities and College of Health and Human Development, on May 23, 2022. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • A graduate in black cap and gown and white hijab stands to be recognized at Commencement 2022.

    Graduates celebrate at the Commencement ceremony for CSUN's College of Humanities and College of Health and Human Development, on May 23, 2022. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • A crowd of family and friends of the Class of 2022 stand erupt in cheers, in the bleachers at Commencement 2022.

    Families and friends of the Class of 2022 cheer the new graduates at the Commencement ceremony for CSUN's College of Humanities and College of Health and Human Development, on May 23, 2022. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • A graduate in cap, gown and sash walks to stage, flashing a peace sign, at Commencement 2022.

    A graduate celebrates as she heads for the stage during the Commencement ceremony for CSUN's College of Humanities and College of Health and Human Development, on May 23, 2022. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • A row of graduates in caps, gowns and flower leis smile and celebrate at Commencement 2022.

    Graduates celebrate at the Commencement ceremony for CSUN's College of Health and Human Development, on May 23, 2022. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • A row of graduates in caps, gowns, sashes and flower leis stand and smile, and wave to the crowd at Commencement 2022.

    Graduates celebrate at the Commencement ceremony for CSUN's College of Health and Human Development, on May 23, 2022. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • A brand-new graduate in cap and gown smiles and holds up her red diploma cover, after walking off the stage at Commencement 2022.

    Newly minted graduates celebrate at the Commencement ceremony for CSUN's College of Health and Human Development, on May 23, 2022. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • President Erika D. Beck stands next to U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, on stage after the Commencement ceremony for CSUN's College of Social and Behaviorial Sciences.

    CSUN President Erika D. Beck greets U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California), who celebrated the master's degree graduation of his wife, Angela Gabriela Padilla, from CSUN's College of Social and Behavioral Sciences on May 21, 2022. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • A faculty member carries the university mace and leads President Erika D. Beck and other CSUN leaders down a walkway in front of the University Library, at Commencement 2022.

    Faculty and university leaders, including President Erika D. Beck, recess at the conclusion of the Commencement ceremony for CSUN's College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, on May 21, 2022. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • President Erika D. Beck gives a fist bump and greets 2022 Wolfson Scholar Megan Ngo, as she crosses the stage in her motorized wheelchair, at Commencement 2022.

    President Erika D. Beck congratulates CSUN's 2022 Wolfson Scholar, Megan Ngo, at the Commencement ceremony for CSUN's College of Engineering and Computer Science and College of Science and Mathematics, on May 20, 2022. The honor is the university's top award given to a graduating senior. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • President Erika D. Beck and Houssam Toutanji, dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science, stand behind Megan Ngo, the 2022 Wolfson Scholar, at Honors Convocation 2022.

    President Erika D. Beck and Houssam Toutanji, dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science, congratulate CSUN's 2022 Wolfson Scholar, Megan Ngo, at Honors Convocation on May 14, 2022. The honor is the university's top award given to a graduating senior. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • A drone camera aerial view of the University Library and Commencement crowds in bleachers and sections of chairs, with the CSUN campus and north San Fernando Valley beyond.

    A drone camera captures the sunset over CSUN's final Commencement ceremony of 2022 — the ceremony for the College of Health and Human Development, on May 23, 2022. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

In-person commencement ceremonies returned to the CSUN campus this past week, after two years of virtual and hybrid celebrations. Joyful graduates, their families and friends gathered at the center of campus on the University Library lawn.

More than 11,600 students from the Class of 2022 were eligible to take part in the graduation ceremonies, starting with Honors Convocation on Saturday, May 14, and continuing Friday, May 20, through Monday, May 23. This year, special ceremonies also were held for the graduates of 2019-21 who wanted to take part in an in-person commencement.

CSUN alumnus Paul Jennings ’85 (Marketing) received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters during the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics commencement ceremony. Jennings was a pioneer in deregulated telecommunications services and is a longtime advocate for sustainability and those with learning disabilities.

Community activist and CSUN alumna Irene Tovar ’69 (Social Science) also received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, awarded during the commencement ceremony for the College of Humanities and departments in the College of Health and Human Development. Tovar is the founder and former executive officer of the Latin American Civic Association and an advocate for affordable housing and early childhood education in underserved communities.

The energy and happiness were palpable across campus as students celebrated the culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice and study and prepared to step into their bright futures. Here are some photo highlights from the ceremonies.

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