Six distinguished speakers gave words of advice, inspiration, and congratulations at the Commencement 2022 ceremonies in the Dignity Health Sports Park Tennis Stadium. Four of the speakers were CSUDH alumni, and all were eminent leaders from Southern California's private or public sectors. Michael Lawson, CEO and President of Los Angeles Urban League, was both a keynote speaker and CSUDH's recipient of a CSU honorary Doctor of Laws. Lawson is an accomplished lawyer, community advocate, and business leader with a passion for public service. Since 2018, Lawson has been president and CEO of the Los Angeles Urban League, which since 1921 has worked to help African Americans and other ... Read More
Commencement
Graduating Class of 2022 Scholars Share Reflections of CSUDH
The Class of 2022 has navigated more than their fair share of trials and challenges on their road to commencement. Below, graduates from the CSUDH Presidential Scholars, McNair Scholars, and Toro Guardian Scholars programs share their thoughts on their student experience at the university, inspirational faculty members, future plans—and what makes being a Toro so special. Angela Costes, Presidential Scholars Program (BS, Kinesiology) What have you valued most from your college education? I valued the opportunities and support I’ve received from DH. I wasn’t born in the U.S., and am very much aware of the struggles and lack of support that many students in the Philippines face. ... Read More
Aspiring Prosthetist Grads Specialize in Empathy
For Martha Bretado and Rachel Kroener, the field of prosthetics is about much more than creating new artificial limbs for patients. As people who have physical disabilities themselves, the two students understand the importance of fostering community with their patients, building up their confidence, and showing them life’s full range of possibilities. Bretado and Kroener became close friends during their graduate studies in CSUDH’s Orthotics and Prosthetics program, having bonded over their shared experiences and passion for the disability community. This semester, they graduate from CSUDH’s Orthotics and Prosthetics program with their master’s degrees in health sciences with the ... Read More
Daily Breeze: CSUDH Student Makes History as One of the Oldest Graduates with a Double Major
Source: Daily Breeze It's never too late to receive an education, and one Cal State Dominguez Hills graduate set out to prove that. During the first day of the school’s commencement ceremonies earlier this week, Maria Manning, a double major in liberal studies and Spanish public services, was among the students from the 2020 and 2021 classes to receive their diplomas at Dignity Health Sports Park. Manning did so at 88 years old — making her one of the oldest students in the Cal State University System to graduate with a double major. But her road to success faced many setbacks along the way. Manning, originally from the Cape Verde islands in West Africa, immigrated to America ... Read More
Commencement Delivers an Intimate Feel with Heartfelt Moments
While the number of graduates, and the family and friends cheering them on in person, was substantially less this year due to COVID-19, the scaled-down ceremonies for the Class of 2020 and Class of 2021 Commencements helped mark a return to normalcy for the Toro Nation, and were some of most intimate and heartfelt in recent memory. Seven commencement ceremonies in all took place May 24-26 in the Tennis Stadium at Dignity Health Sports Park. To comply with public health guidelines, seating was restricted, with graduates sitting in the stands with two guests, instead of on the stadium floor. To close each ceremony, graduates were recognized individually from the stands, and were shown on ... Read More