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First Gen and Future Leaders: CSUN Commencement 2025

Eight joy-filled ceremonies brought families and friends to the University Library Lawn to celebrate CSUN graduates. Check out all the happiness in the photos. The post First Gen and Future Leaders: CSUN Commencement 2025 first appeared on CSUN Newsroom.
Jenny Steinbeck | Mon, May 19, 2025
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Smile for the camera! Graduates kicked off the celebrations at Black Graduation on Sunday, May 11, 2025. (Bryan Rodgers / CSUN)

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Celebrate! CSUN’s time-honored tradition of Black Graduation took place on the University Library Lawn on Sunday, May 11, 2025. (Bryan Rodgers / CSUN)

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Kicking off Commencement celebrations at CSUN’s Black Graduation 2025. (Bryan Rodgers / CSUN)

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Pure joy at the Black Graduation ceremony on Sunday, May 11, 2025. (Bryan Rodgers / CSUN)

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Graduates capture the moment with a celebratory selfie at the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)

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A graduate leaps for joy on stage after receiving his diploma during the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)

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Graduates from the Systems and Operations Management program proudly represent their department at the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)

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One proud Matador shares his special moment with his littlest supporter at the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)

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Graduates from the Education Psychology and Counseling program make their way to the stage with pride at the Michael D. Eisner College of Education and College of Social and Behavioral Sciences I ceremony on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)

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A joyful group of graduates celebrates the moment during the Michael D. Eisner College of Education and College of Social and Behavioral Sciences I commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)

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With her diploma held high, a new graduate beams with pride at the Michael D. Eisner College of Education and College of Social and Behavioral Sciences I ceremony on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)

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A graduate shares an emotional embrace with her family following the Michael D. Eisner College of Education and College of Social and Behavioral Sciences I commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN

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CSUN College of Health and Human Development graduates march into their commencement ceremony on May 19, 2025, in front of the University Library. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)

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The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) cohort celebrates their big day, at CSUN’s College of Health and Human Development commencement ceremony, May 19, 2025. (Luis Luque / CSUN)

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A CSUN College of Health and Human Development graduate celebrates as he crosses the commencement stage on May 19, 2025. (Luis Luque / CSUN)

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A CSUN College of Health and Human Development graduate shows her appreciation to her family in the stands, at commencement on May 19, 2025. (Luis Luque / CSUN)

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Graduates high-five friends, loved ones and supporters as they march into CSUN’s Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication commencement ceremony on May 19, 2025. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)

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We did it!! Graduates cheer at CSUN’s Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication commencement ceremony on May 19, 2025. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)

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A brand-new graduate celebrates as she crosses the stage at CSUN’s Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication commencement ceremony on May 19, 2025. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)

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A dream fulfilled: A brand-new graduate celebrates with loved ones after CSUN’s Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication commencement ceremony on May 19, 2025. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)

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A cheery “hello” from the ceremony for the College of Engineering and Computer Science and College of Science and Mathematics on Friday, May 16, 2025. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)

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Yes! A student cheers after receiving his diploma on stage during the ceremony for the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the College of Science and Mathematics on Friday, May 16, 2025. (Richard Chambers / CSUN)

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Show those honors medallions! Students are all smiles at Honors Convocation at on Saturday, May 10, 2025. (Gradimages / CSUN)

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Jon Crain, recipient of the 2025 Nathan O. Freedman Memorial Award for Outstanding Graduate Student stands on stage with Yan Searcy, dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences in the background. At Honors Convocation on Saturday, May 10, 2025. (Gradimages / CSUN)

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Students smile for the camera at Honors Convocation on the University Library Lawn on Saturday, May 10, 2025. (Gradimages / CSUN)

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Students at Honors Convocation on the University Library Lawn on Saturday, May 10, 2025. (Gradimages / CSUN)

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Rainbow pride and some amazing handiwork on full display at the Rainbow Graduation celebration in the University Student Union on Friday, May 16, 2025. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)

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William Watkins, vice president for Student Affairs and dean of students addresses graduates gathered at the Rainbow Graduation celebration in the University Student Union on Saturday, May 10, 2025. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)

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A group photo of CSUN’s veteran grads at the Veteran Graduation Celebration in the University Student Union on Saturday, May 10, 2025. (Steven Wein/University Student Union)

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Ali Yaghtin-Mirshekar, U.S. Marine Corps at the Veteran Graduation Celebration in the University Student Union on Saturday, May 10, 2025. (Steven Wein / University Student Union)

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John Michael Beer, recipient of the Veterans Resource Center’s Outstanding Graduating Veteran Award at the Veteran Graduation Celebration in the University Student Union on Saturday, May 10, 2025. (Steven Wein/University Student Union)

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CSUN President Erika D. Beck is ready for the commencement ceremony celebrating the graduates of the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)

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Graduates celebrate at the commencement ceremony for the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communication on Monday, May 19, 2025. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)

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A graduate cheers at the College of Humanities/College of Health and Human Development Ceremony on May 18, 2025. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)

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Smiles and cheers abound at the CSUN College of Humanities 2025 commencement ceremony. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)

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Graduates at the College of Humanities and College of Health and Human Development 2025 Commencement ceremony. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)

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An inspirational and emotional graduation cap at the 2025 CSUN College of Humanities and College of Health and Human Development commencement ceremony on May 18, 2025. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)

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A graduate gets help adjusting her regalia at the CSUN Social and Behavioral Sciences commencement ceremony on May 18, 2025. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)

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A graduate celebrates at the CSUN Social and Behavioral Sciences II commencement ceremony on May 18, 2025. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)

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A graduate celebrates at the the Social and Behavioral Sciences II commencement ceremony at CSUN on May 18, 2025. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)

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CSUN Social and Behavioral Sciences graduates celebrate at their commencement ceremony on May 18, 2025. (Ringo Chiu / CSUN)

Caps and gowns, colorful leis and sashes were the “outfits of the day” on the CSUN campus as graduates celebrated their transitions from students to alumni. The eight joy-filled ceremonies started on May 10, with Honors Convocation, where outstanding graduates’ achievements were recognized. Then commencement weekend kicked off Friday evening on May 16 and rolled through the weekend, culminating on Monday, May 19. Graduates from each college processed on the University Library Lawn to the strains of “Pomp and Circumstance” performed by CSUN’s Jazz “A” Band, then ultimately crossed the stage as their names were read aloud to the cheers from loved ones watching from the grandstands. 

CSUN President Erika D. Beck led the procession of administrators, deans and faculty members to the stage, wearing her custom, red sparkly “Chucks” or Converse tennis shoes. She also continued the tradition of recognizing graduates who are the first in their families to attend college, asking them to cheer for their families and friends who have supported them.

Speaking to the Class of 2025, Beck continued “Graduates, you are all here today because of your tenacity, hard work and sacrifice. But of course, we know you didn’t arrive at this moment alone. Your friends and family have devoted themselves to supporting you in your journey to this moment.”

In her commencement address, Beck urged the graduates to hold onto the pride in their accomplishment, as they face their futures. 

“We live in times of increasing complexity and rapid change that presents us with challenges on a whole host of fronts,” she said. “I have every confidence that you are up to the challenge. You are the leaders who will shape our collective future.”  

Before their ceremony began on Friday, May 16, seniors in the Colleges of Science and Mathematics and Engineering and Computer Science lined up behind the grandstands and waited to make their entrance. They clustered together, taking selfies and talking with friends. Elena Ramos, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, was enjoying the moment. 

“I’m pretty excited. It was a lot of hard work, so I’m excited to be here,” she said. 

Francis Louie Elgincolin, another computer science grad, was also all smiles. 

“I feel good, but I’ll feel better after I get my diploma,” he joked. 

For Marlen Lopez, earning a bachelor of arts degree in chemistry, it was a sweet moment. 

“I [started] this degree eight years ago, and now, today is the day,” she said.  

Lopez said her next steps are already in the works. 

“I’m planning to join the credential program here at CSUN and then become a chemistry teacher,” Lopez said. 

The celebrations this year also included an honorary degree ceremony for Lisa P. Jackson, Apple Inc.’s Vice President for Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives. In recognition of her deep commitment to public service and to advancing climate solutions, racial justice and educational opportunity, CSUN and the California State conferred upon Ms. Jackson  an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree at the commencement ceremony for the colleges of Science and Mathematics and Engineering and Computer Science.

Nearly 11,000 students, including more than 8,000 undergraduate and 2,000 graduate students, were eligible to participate in the ceremonies this year.

Be sure to check out CSUN Newsroom for more stories about this year’s graduates and their extraordinary accomplishments. 

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The post First Gen and Future Leaders: CSUN Commencement 2025 first appeared on CSUN Newsroom.

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