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The primary source of news and information about California State University, Dominguez Hills, its students, faculty, and staff.

Mayor

Daily Breeze: CSUDH Kicks Off Graduation Ceremonies with Long Beach Mayor as 1st Keynote Speaker

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Decorated floral graduation caps at 2023 Commencement

Source: Daily Breeze

Cal State Dominguez Hills kicked off two days of commencement ceremonies on Friday morning, May 19 – with an alum-turned-political leader serving as the keynote speaker.

Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson, who was elected to that post in November, addressed the colleges of Arts and Humanities, and Education on Friday, empowering the class of 2023 to work to change their communities for the better.

The ceremony at which  Richardson spoke was the first of six, with three taking place Friday and the final three set for Saturday. State Attorney General Rob Bonta is slated to address CSUDH’s College of Business Administration and Public Policy during its commencement ceremony, scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

In all, the class of 2023 comprises more than 3,300 students, with more than 40,000 guests expected to attend the ceremonies at Dignity Sports Health Park’s tennis stadium, in Carson.

“Because of the leadership development legacy right here at Cal State Dominguez Hills, we have an opportunity to reimagine and renegotiate the covenant with our communities throughout our region,” Richardson said in his address, “to shape a future where our families and our youth can reach their full potential. You’re all a part of that legacy now.”

The mayor originally enrolled for classes at CSUDH as an 18-year-old in 2001. He was elected president of Associated Students, Inc. during his time there. But left the university a few years later, several credits shy of completing his degree, after he accepted a full-time job as a community organizer with a local labor union.

Years later – after rising up the city government ranks and winning a seat on the Long Beach City Council – Richardson returned to CSUDH and finished out his degree, earning a bachelor’s of art in philosophy in 2020.

Richardson represented Long Beach’s Ninth District for two terms before getting elected as mayor in November. He also served two terms as vice mayor – a total of four years – under his mayoral predecessor, current U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia.

Richardson has often talked about the leadership skills he developed at CSUDH.

“We’re proud of what the class of 2023 has accomplished and overcome – we all witnessed as you overcame incredible challenges,” Richardson said, referencing the coronavirus pandemic and the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder in 2020. “You confronted your generation-defining struggles.”

“By diving into uncertainty, you found grit and a spirit of determination to make a difference,” he added. “Despite your plight, you overcame – you understood the assignment.

Now, Richardson said, it’s time to celebrate. And after that, the mayor said, the graduates should make a difference in the world.

“Class of 2023, I want to empower you to go forth into the world and seek the opportunities in uncertainty,” Richardson said. “Know who you’re meant to be, stand up for what you believe, chart your own path and most importantly –  make a difference in the lives of the next generation.”

Daily Breeze: Long Beach Mayor Richardson to Deliver Keynote Speech at CSUDH Commencement

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Graduation caps at Commencement

Source: Daily Breeze

Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson is set to return to his alma matter, Cal State Dominguez Hills, to deliver the one of the university’s 2023 commencement keynote speeches.

More than 3,000 graduates will receive their diplomas this year at the Dignity Sports Health Park Tennis Stadium in a series of six ceremonies slated for Friday and Saturday, May 19-20.

Richardson will deliver his address during the first set of graduations on Friday morning to the College or Arts and Humanities and the College of Education.

“It is a full circle moment to come home and be able to impart some words of wisdom to this new graduating class,” Richardson said in a Tuesday, May 16, interview. “It’s a place where I shaped my identity, where I understood the meaning of leadership and service and advocacy – and where I got involved with government.”

The mayor originally enrolled for classes at CSUDH as an 18-year-old in 2001. He was elected president of Associated Students, Inc. during his time there. But left the university a few years later, several credits shy of completing his degree, after he accepted a full-time job as a community organizer with a local labor union.

Years later – after rising up the city government ranks and winning a seat on the Long Beach City Council – Richardson returned to CSUDH and finished out his degree, earning a bachelor’s of art in philosophy in 2020.

Richardson represented Long Beach’s Ninth District for two years before getting elected as mayor in November. He also served two terms as vice mayor – a total of four years – under his mayoral predecessor, current U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia.

“My hope is to give them some inspiration and some encouragement as they go forth into the world,” Richardson said. “They’re prepared to go into the world and make an impact. They should feel confident that, like generations before, they’re gonna rise to the occasion and they’re gonna make an impact on the world.”

Additional notable figures set to speak at the university’s other ceremonies include California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Southern California Edison executive Vice President for operations Jill Anderson, and Sheniece Smith, NorthBay Healthcare System’s chief administrative officer and general counsel.

Rex Richardson Strengthens Ties to CSUDH

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Mayor Rex Richardson with CSUDH students, faculty and staff

“Dominguez Hills is an important partner. We are counting on you to contribute your expertise to help us solve our big challenges.”

That was the central message Mayor of Long Beach Rex Richardson conveyed during an official campus visit on March 9. Three months into his first mayoral term, the Toro alumnus is eager to establish partnerships between the city and CSUDH, with the intention of creating more opportunities for Toros to enter public service. 

Rex Richardson shaking hands with CSUDH President Parham
Mayor Richardson (left) with CSUDH President Parham.

Richardson began his visit with a meeting with President Thomas A. Parham, then embarked on a campus tour before sitting down with students, faculty, and staff to discuss his goals as mayor and his personal connection with CSUDH.

He opened by remarking upon the campus’ dramatic transformation, noting with a smile that it “looks nothing like it did in 2001,” when he was a first-year student. He went on to describe his family history and how his tenure at CSUDH enabled him to “put down roots” in Southern California. Not only did Richardson meet his future wife in the student government offices, but he also served as president of Associated Students, Inc.–a leadership experience which he says primed him for public service.

“Here’s where I learned about advocacy and representation,” he said. “We wanted to make a meaningful difference.”

Richardson spoke about the urgent need for retaining talented, local professionals in civil service, and mentioned several initiatives he is undertaking to meet that skills gap. His office is working with AmeriCorps to establish a two-year public service fellowship for college graduates, and is also seeking to establish a public service pathways preference for graduates of CSU Long Beach and CSUDH.

“Simply by graduating from those institutions, you are locally trained and you have community contacts–you are prepared for public service,” he said.

Rex Richardson speaking with members of ASI
Mayor Richardson speaks with students in the ASI office.

Richardson made sure to emphasize the need for students from all academic backgrounds, and touted the benefits of his own humanities degree. Originally a business major, he had switched to philosophy due to its engaging classroom debates and discussions. 

“Philosophy challenged me,” he said. “I felt philosophy was an incredible program because it prepared me to speak, write, and think critically. If you can develop those competencies, they’ll benefit you throughout your whole life.”

Before wrapping up his visit, Richardson made sure to stop by the ASI office to engage with student leaders, hear about their priorities, and offer pearls of wisdom.

“Stay close,” he advised them. “All the relationships, all the connections you have here–who knows where it goes!”

View all photos from Mayor Richardson’s visit on SmugMug.