COMMENCEMENT SCRIPT May 16, 2015 ? Afternoon Ceremony 2:30 p.m. ADAMS: Good afternoon and welcome to the 13th Commencement ceremony for California State University Channel Islands. I am Dr. Virgil Adams, Professor of Sociology, and we are delighted that you have joined us today. Before we get started, some of our CI graduates have chosen to say a word of thanks to their family and friends. Please direct your attention to the screens. 2:31 p.m. CI Graduates ?Why I?m Thankful? video plays (length of video, approx. 17 minutes) 2:48 p.m. ADAMS: Once more, for those who are just arriving, I am Dr. Virgil Adams, Professor of Psychology, and we are delighted that you have joined us today for our 13th Commencement Ceremony. At this time, we ask that all of our guests be seated as we will begin our ceremony in a few minutes. But first, I have some general announcements to share with you. * For those of you who wish to take photographs or video during the ceremony, out of consideration for your fellow guests, we ask that you please take photos and video from the designated areas on either side of the stage. Only official campus photographers will be allowed directly in front of the stage. * Also, out of consideration for others, if you have brought balloons, we ask that you please ensure that they are not blocking the view of the people around you. * Restroom facilities are available in the trailer located in the courtyard on the west side of the Quad (point to your right). Additional restrooms are also available in the building directly behind the stage known as the Bell Tower (point behind) and across the way in Santa Cruz Village (point to your right). * We would appreciate your cooperation in placing trash in the receptacles and recycling containers. * We ask that you please not use personal umbrellas which may block the view of those sitting nearby. If you need to get out from direct sunlight, please take shade under the trees or porticos. * In addition, out of courtesy for others, please make room in your aisles for guests that are just arriving. This includes any seats you have saved for guests who are not here yet. If you have empty seats next to you please move down to make room for guests who need seats. Again, please show courtesy to others. * This last announcement is most important. Commencement is a special day for each and every graduate who will cross the stage. As a symbol of mutual respect, all graduating students and guests are asked to remain seated until the conclusion of the ceremony. This year our graduating students will receive a diploma tube as they cross the stage which should be exchanged at the conclusion of the ceremony for a diploma folder. * Finally, I would like to ask our University Police Lieutenant Michael Morris to please come forward, Lieutenant Morris?. 2:52 p.m. MORRIS: * Good morning and welcome! I have just a couple of announcements. A First Aid station is located behind the stage, on your left and to my right (point to the First Aid station). Certified medical professionals are available to assist with any medical needs. Guests in need of first aid may ask for assistance from any Event Staff member wearing a red CI t-shirt or a University police officer. * We expect the heat to worsen as the day goes on (INCLUDE STATEMENT IF HEAT IS A CONCERN). If you begin to feel ill, please take shade under the trees or porticos. Try to stay hydrated. Water is for sale at the Refreshment Booth and hydration stations are available in the Bell Tower building. You can also visit the ?Water Misting Tents? located behind the stage and closest to the Bell Tower (on my left and right). Again, if you feel ill please visit the first aid tent. * Please take a moment to locate the marked exits nearest your seat. It may be on your left, right or behind you. In the event of an unforeseen emergency, please proceed calmly as you exit. Police personnel have been trained to assist in an emergency situation and will provide you with further direction. * Finally, for public safety reasons, we ask that you please not block any aisles within the seating area to take photographs or video. As already mentioned, photos and videos are allowed in designated areas on either side of the stage. Thank you. 2:56 p.m. President Rush?s Video Greeting (length of video: 52 seconds) 2:57 p.m. (immediately following President Rush?s video) (ADAMS COMES BACK TO THE PODIUM. MARINA GUZMAN AND RAUDEL BANUELOS ARE SEATED ON THE FRONT CHAIRS OF THE STAGE) (IF NEEDED, ADAMS REPEATS THE APPEAL TO PLEASE BE SEATED) (UPON ELIZABETH?S CUE, ADAMS OPENS THE CEREMONY ACCOMPANIED BY MARINA WHO STANDS BY THE BELL) 2:58 p.m. ADAMS: Ladies and gentlemen, Commencement at California State University Channel Islands is marked by the tradition of ringing a Navy ship bell, on loan today from Naval Base Ventura County, to signal the official beginning of our ceremony. As we celebrate students today and the inspiration and knowledge they have gained from our faculty. It is also appropriate to acknowledge the valuable contributions staff have made in the success of our students and the University. The staff member selected by the University President to ring the bell is chosen for his or her excellence in work carried out throughout the year. This year?s staff honoree is Marina Guzman, a long-time employee of the University and Custodian in Facilities Services. Coming from Guanajuato, Mexico as a child, she was raised in Oxnard, and worked in the local agricultural fields alongside her father and family members. Marina has three children, and is now the proud grandmother to three beautiful grandchildren. Marina was hired in 2002 as a Custodian, and continues to provide the best environment for our students, faculty and staff. Marina works alongside her sister, and her youngest son, who are also members of the CI Family. In her spare time, Marina cares for her 89-year-old mother, and chauffer?s her grand kids to their sporting events and extra circular activities. She is an outstanding cook, and takes tremendous pride in sharing her dishes with everyone. (ADAMS REMAINS AT PODIUM ? MARINA RINGS BELL 13 TIMES AND THEN EXITS THE PLATFORM AND TAKES HER SEAT IN THE RESERVED SECTION) ADAMS: Thank you, Marina. Now, we will have the sounding of a conch shell. We do this to remember always that we are building upon the knowledge base of the indigenous people who first inhabited this land. It is my pleasure to introduce Raudel Ba�uelos, Director of Facility Support for our campus, and a Chumash Elder. (ADAMS STANDS BY AS RAUDEL STANDS AT THE FRONT OF THE PLATFORM AND SOUNDS THE SHELL. RAUDEL DEPARTS THE STAGE) 3:00 p.m. ADAMS: Thank you, Raudel. I now ask that you please remain seated as we begin the procession for the Class of 2015. (ADAMS RETURNS TO SEAT). (RUBALCAVA CUES SOUND TECHNICIAN TO BEGIN ?POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE.? (GOMEZ HEARS MUSIC AND INSTRUCTS PROF. PHIL HAMPTON TO BEGIN PROCESSION FROM THE END OF THE PORTICO NEAR LINDERO HALL). (WHEN HAMPTON IMMEDIATELY PASSES THE FRONT ROW, HE TURNS, FACES THE AUDIENCE AND WAITS FOR THE PLATFORM PARTY TO ARRIVE AND LEADS THEM ONTO THE STAGE FROM HIS RIGHT-SIDE). GRIER: Good Morning, I am Dr. Jeanne Grier, Professor of Secondary Education and Chair of the Academic Senate for California State University Channel Islands. Will the Faculty Marshals please come forward for the Presentation of the Gonfalons. Thank you. (PAUSE) I would ask that everyone please rise for the invocation to be given by Bishop Broderick Huggins, Pastor of Saint Paul Baptist Church, and remain standing for the Presentation of Colors by the Oxnard High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps under the direction of Major Dale Weaver, and the singing of our National Anthem by CI international graduate student, Sneha (snay-ha) Venkatraman (ven-kah-trah-man). (GRIER STEPS BACK TO HER SEAT AS THE MINISTER STEPS TO THE PODIUM TO GIVE THE INVOCATION). (AFTER THE INVOCATION, SINGER APPROACHES THE PODIUM AS THE COLOR GUARD APPROACHES FRONT OF STAGE; WAITS FOR THEM TO PRESENT THE COLORS AND LOWER THE CALIFORNIA FLAG, THEN BEGINS SINGING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM). GRIER: Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated. Thank you Pastor Huggins, Oxnard High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps, and Sneha (snay-ha) Venkatraman (ven-kah-trah-man) for your participation today in our Commencement ceremony. (leads applause) GRIER: On behalf of my faculty colleagues, it is my honor to congratulate the Class of 2015! This is the day that you have been working towards for years?the day you are finally done with school?GRADUATION DAY!! The day many of you are being let loose into the ?REAL WORLD!? When I was a high school biology teacher, my students would always say to me: I can?t wait to get out into the real world! I would chuckle and think?wait! This is my real world?right here, right now! Many of you, I?m sure are thinking the same thing. I don?t mean to burst your bubble on this grand occasion, but you?ve been in the REAL WORLD all along! There have been many criticisms of late that college does not prepare you for your future work-life. I encourage you to stop and reflect upon your own personal and professional growth since arriving at CI. Did you have a good time here? Did you learn anything? I?m not talking about things to help you win in Trivia Crack, but did you learn anything about yourself? When you figure this out, we as your professors and mentors here at CI would love to hear from you. It makes all the difference in the world to us to know we have impacted your life. In fact, one of my students who is here today graduating with her MA in Education sent me an email a couple of weeks ago. She wrote: ?Thank you for challenging me to really think about my beliefs. I know I am a better educator after this class.? As a good professor I promptly thanked her and then requested she write that in the course evaluations. :) Her real world and those of her students will be forever impacted through her experiences here at CI. We hope what you have gained in this REAL CI WORLD is an appreciation for diversity, interdisciplinarity, being open to multiple perspectives, service to others, and an overall commitment to learning about your REAL WORLD. And, as you leave us, know we are proud of you and welcome you back to this REAL WORLD for your next educational endeavor. For YOU are still a part of US. You have made an impact on this institution by your presence and participation. So, while we are sad that you are leaving, we are just as excited for your future! Congratulations! GRIER: Next, to further our mission of graduating students with an international and multicultural perspective, it is now my pleasure to call forward two graduating students who will provide welcome greetings in Spanish and Japanese. The welcome in Spanish will be provided by Lisa Panza, a resident of Oxnard and graduate of Oxnard High School. Lisa is earning a bachelor?s degree in Spanish and a minor in Chicano Studies. PANZA : Estimado Presidente Rush, Estimada Regente Kimbell, estimados profesores, administradores, personal de apoyo, invitados de honor; y �un saludo muy especial para mis compa�eros de la promoci�n de 2015! El d�a de hoy, tenemos el honor de darles la bienvenida a la ceremonia anual de Graduaci�n de la Universidad Estatal de California Channel Islands. Este a�o tambi�n celebramos ?La Promoci�n de los Tres Millones? en honor a todos los graduados del CSU. Agradecemos al profesorado, al personal de apoyo y a toda la comunidad de CI, por su paciencia, su comprensi�n, sus consejos y su ayuda en la consecuci�n de nuestros objetivos acad�micos. Gracias tambi�n a nuestros familiares y amigos por su constante apoyo, amor e inspiraci�n a lo largo de este viaje inolvidable! �Gracias! GRIER: Thank you Lisa. Our next student, Yufi (You ? fee) Yamamoto (Ya-ma-mo-toe) will provide a welcome in Japanese. Yufi is a resident of Hollywood Beach and a graduate of Nakamura High School in Japan. Today, Yufi (You ? fee) Yamamoto is earning a bachelor?s degree in Communication. YAMAMOTO: (TRANSLATION NOT INCLUDED HERE) GRIER: Thank you Yufi (You ? fee) (pause). Finally, it is my pleasure to introduce our Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Gayle Hutchinson. HUTCHINSON: Thank you, Dr. Grier. I have the honor of introducing the Platform Party today. I would ask that you please hold your applause until all members have been introduced and are standing. Ladies and gentlemen of the platform party, please stand and remain standing as I call your name: * Pastor Broderick Huggins who provided the invocation * Singing our National Anthem, CI international graduate student from Mumbai, India: Sneha (snay-ha) Venkatraman (ven-kah-trah-man). Sneha (snay-ha) is pursuing a Masters in Biotechnology with an Emphasis in Stem Cell Technology and Laboratory Management. She is a recipient of the ?California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) Bridges to Stem Cell Research Trainee Award?. Sneha (snay-ha) will return at the conclusion of our ceremony to sing the alma mater. * Our graduating students who provided welcome greetings in Spanish and Japanese: Lisa Panza and Yufi (you-fee) Yamamoto * Vanessa Bahena, CI Student Government President, and our student speaker who you will hear more about later. My fellow members of the President?s Cabinet: * Vice President for Business & Financial Affairs: Ms. Ysabel Trinidad * Vice President for Students Affairs: Dr. Wm. Gregory Sawyer * Vice President for Technology & Communication: Dr. Michael Berman * Vice President for University Advancement: Ms. Nichole Ipach; and * Chief of Staff to the President: Dr. Genevieve Evans Taylor My academic colleagues on stage: * Graduate Program Directors: o Dr. William Cordeiro o Dr. Amy Denton o Dr. A.J. Bieszczad (Bee-shad) o Dr. Jesse Elliott * Faculty who will be announcing the names of our graduates: o Dr. Stephen Clark o Dr. Julia Balen o Dr. Elizabeth Hartung * Our pre-ceremony announcer, Dr. Virgil Adams Also joining us on the platform we have: * Our Alumni & Friends Association Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, Gary Cushing. * Our honorary marshal, Professor Phil Hampton, who led the beginning of our Commencement processional by carrying the ?Light of Learning.? The Light of Learning symbolizes the University?s commitment to a life of the mind and the central role, played by our outstanding faculty. The honorary marshal is selected by the President for demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to our students and the University. Phil Hampton is a Professor of Chemistry and Project Director on CI?s Department of Education Hispanic-Serving Institution Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (HSI-STEM) grant. He received his Doctorate of Philosophy from Stanford University and performed postdoctoral work at Caltech. He is a recipient of the CI Maximus Award. He has a passion for encouraging kids to be interested in science and coordinates the annual Science Carnival for PK-8 grade students and their families. He joined CI as one of the original faculty members hired in 2001. * Chair of the Academic Senate and Chief University Marshal, Dr. Jeanne Grier. * From the California State University Board of Trustees, Trustee Lillian Kimbell. Trustee Kimbell earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and her Juris Doctor from UCLA. She clerked for the Honorable Harry Pregerson of the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit and served as Legal Counsel and Business Manager of the Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions. When Gardels Associates?a media group?was established in 2011, Ms. Kimbell took on the role of legal counsel and business manager as well as manager of Spanish Language Authors and Publisher Relations. She is a native Californian who spent most summers in Mexico with her mother's family. She and her husband Nathan live in Los Angeles and have two sons, Carlos and Alexander. * The President of California State University Channel Islands, Dr. Richard Rush. Please join me now in recognizing this esteemed group. (leads applause) HUTCHINSON: Thank you?ladies and gentlemen of the platform party, kindly be seated. I would also like to recognize some special guests in the audience and ask that you please hold your applause until the end. * Will our Associate and Assistant Provosts, and Associate and Assistant Vice Presidents, please stand. * Will members of the University?s Foundation Board and the Site Authority Board, please stand. * The wife of our University President, Jane Rush * Next is the group that is critical to the success of our students. It is my privilege to invite all members of our distinguished faculty to please stand. * We also want to recognize the faculty and deans from our partner in education, Santa Barbara City College, who are joining us today. Would you kindly stand and be recognized? * Finally, we would like to take this time to welcome representatives from the Ventura County Board of Supervisors, elected and municipal officials, educational partners, and our neighbors from Naval Base Ventura County. Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to join us on this special day. (lead applause). HUTCHINSON: We are delighted to welcome you and to recognize our graduating students who are here today to celebrate their academic achievements and who will begin the next chapter of their lives! Congratulations Class of 2015! We commend each one of you who have successfully completed the requirements to earn your master?s or bachelor?s degree. Today, you are making history as the CSU Class of 3 Million! This is a special year in which The California State University (CSU) is celebrating system wide a significant milestone. As a whole, The CSU will have produced 3 million graduates, all 23 campuses combined, since the establishment of The CSU System. You should have received a special Class of 3 Million bracelet. Please wear it today with pride! In addition, with this year?s ceremony, CSU Channel Islands is celebrating over 10,000 graduates since it opened in August, 2002. Later today, we will applaud as the 10,000th CI graduate crosses the stage! We also congratulate those who have joined you here today?your family and friends. They have likely been the same people who were by your side supporting and encouraging you to achieve this tremendous goal. Next, we have the pleasure of hearing from our honored guest from the California State University Board of Trustees. Please join me in welcoming Trustee Lillian Kimbell. (HUTCHINSON LEADS APPLAUSE AND IS SEATED AS KIMBELL STEPS TO PODIUM FOR BRIEF REMARKS) KIMBELL: Thank you, Provost Hutchinson. It is a pleasure for me to be here and to bring greetings to all of you from the entire California State University system. I extend congratulations to everyone graduating today. As citizens and now alumni of California State University, Channel Islands, I encourage all of you to continue to support the university and its mission. As a member of your community, continue to support the CSU by helping those in need and letting them know the path to get to college. Show them the road ahead and how earning a college degree can be the most important step toward a brighter future. Be proud that you are joining more than 3 million CSU alums as you cross this stage. Finally, as a graduate of the CSU, be an ambassador for our system. Let your friends, colleagues, legislators and community know how important the CSU has been to you and how they can join you in supporting the CSU. Again, congratulations and best wishes to all of you. HUTCHINSON: Thank you Trustee Kimbell (pause). Ladies and gentlemen, I now have the distinct honor and pleasure of introducing the President of California State University Channel Islands, Dr. Richard Rush. (HUTCHINSON IS SEATED AS RUSH STEPS TO PODIUM) RUSH: Thank you Provost Hutchinson. And let me add my warmest welcome to the graduates, their families and friends, and to all our special guests who join us here today! Before I address the Class of 2015, I would like to thank and recognize a special group of students who are here to mark their achievement as college graduates. They are our student veterans who have honorably served our country and have now fulfilled their academic dreams. Will our graduating student veterans please stand and be recognized? (applause) Well, today is your day. You have envisioned goals for yourselves and set yourselves to the task of achieving them?and, now, you?ve done it! You are college graduates! In addition, some of you have also completed advanced degrees and are looking forward to expanding your professional lives on the basis of this increased expertise. Well done! I encourage each and every graduate to feel pride in accomplishment and great and abiding satisfaction in what you have achieved, for this is, truly, your day. Everyone has a story and each of you is a protagonist in that story which is culminating today. For some, you are the first in your family to go to college and, indeed, to graduate. For others, you have returned to school after years, even decades, of being otherwise engaged. Still others have worked, even extensively, while studying and developing the habits of life-long learning. Others of you have raised children, cared for an ill family member, overcome illness and injury yourselves, and, as I mentioned before, served our country while postponing higher education. Or, all of the above. Throughout these profiles, one characteristic unites all of you: you have persisted despite the speed bumps or obstacles you encountered and today you should swell with pride for yourselves and gratitude for those family and friends who have helped you in this momentous achievement. As you begin the next phase of your life?s adventures, I ask you to envision something larger than just yourselves, to commit to the common good, to a goal that allows you to help our community, our nation, and our world to become more compassionate and more humane. I am honored to represent the CSU Channel Islands community and to say for myself as well, congratulations on a job well done! We, too, are proud of you and know that wherever you go, the values of CI will shape that world for the better. In turn, I ask you to take pride in being a CSU alum and a member of the Class of 3 Million, and moreover a CI alum! Congratulations to each of you! (lead applause) (RUSH RETURNS TO HIS SEAT AND HUTCHINSON RETURNS TO THE PODIUM). HUTCHINSON: Thank you President Rush. It is now my pleasure to introduce today?s student speaker, Vanessa Bahena. Vanessa is a resident of Los Angeles and a graduate of Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. She is earning a bachelor?s degree in Communication with an emphasis is Business and Non Profit. Vanessa has served two terms as Student Government President, starting in 2013 and culminating this summer. As a first generation college student she is honored to have represented CI students on a state and federal level. She is grateful to be surrounded today by those who inspire her, motivate her and give her purpose. Please welcome to the podium, Vanessa Bahena. (HUTCHINSON LEADS APPLAUSE AND SITS DOWN AS BAHENA APPROACHES PODIUM AND GIVES REMARKS) BAHENA: I would like to welcome to this momentous occasion our distinguished platform party, friends, families, faculty, staff, and this good-looking class of 2015. When I enrolled at CI I expected to learn all about Communication, make lifelong friends, spend days on the beach, and graduate with a degree from an exemplary university. And I?ll be frank, that is exactly what happened. However looking back on these four years, there are things too long to list, that I never expected to experience. See I grew up in and out of hospitals holding my mother?s hand through chemotherapy. When my mother lost her battle to breast and gastric cancer I remember my back against the wall and my knees to my face. Through tears I saw my world dim as I knew it. Undoubtedly, this was one of the hardest moments of my life. Planning for a college education was nowhere close to a priority, instead I worried about my family and whether I would have a roof over my head the next month. After I was accepted into Channel Islands, a light flickered for me. At CI, I found that I was not alone in adversity. I was surrounded by people who had strength to share. At CI, I found a mother who Skyped in to class so that she could provide for her children and herself. I found a student who lived out of his car because getting a degree was worth the discomfort. I saw students build a clinic to provide for an underrepresented community of Oxnard. I worked alongside students breaking the limits of mental and physical disabilities. I saw women raise funds and school supplies for children of Uganda. Some of us experienced life-changing diagnosis or returned home after fighting for our country. Some became parents and some experienced the loss of someone who made their lives whole. We built the courage to come out to our families about the people we loved. We worked one or two or three jobs to put food on our table. We checked our bank account balance too often. We settled for cup-a-noodles on finals week and we took the challenge of finding parking on campus! (That itself deserves a diploma). Some of us were not meant to be here, some of us had all odds against us but together we lay down a milestone in life of greatness. (PAUSE) Graduating class, WE are CI, because of each other. Through our adversity, we contributed to the legacy of Channel Islands, and today our legacy shines bright among the 3 million CSU graduates. Today, we are the pride of our guardians, our parents, our mentors, and our university. C?mon stand, and stand with me and stand with your fellow dolphins. Look around. Today we are accompanied by people who believe in us and at this time let?s find those individuals, look to them and tell them from your seat, thank you. Without you, this monumental occasion would never have occurred. Platform party, friends, families, faculty, staff, and class of 2015, join me in celebrating this day, together in a clap of unity. Like our time at CI, lets start slow and lets go out with power. We are CI, We are CI, WE ARE CI! And today we are CI alum. Congratulations Class of 2015. HUTCHINSON: Thank you Vanessa and congratulations to you and your family. I would now like to invite President Rush to the podium to present the Alumni & Friends Association Distinguished Alumni Award to Gary Cushing. (HUTCHINSON MOVES TO THE SIDE AND RUSH STEPS TO PODIUM TO READ CITATION) RUSH: It is my pleasure to present the Alumni & Friends Association Distinguished Alumni Award to Gary Cushing, an ardent supporter of the University and an exemplary CI alum. Gary graduated from CSU Channel Islands (CI) in 2010 with a bachelor?s degree in political science. Subsequently, he earned a master?s degree in public policy from Cal Lutheran. Gary is a lifetime member of the CI Alumni & Friends Association and serves as President of the Board of Directors. During Gary?s tenure, the Association implemented its first giving program, raising alumni giving by 1000%, and helped to improve its mentoring program which boasts a 50% success rate in helping recent graduates find employment. As President and CEO of the Camarillo Chamber of Commerce, Gary has been influential in the development of the city?s economic vitality. He successfully operates the local Marie Callender?s restaurant, as well as his own consulting company, Cushing Public Affairs. He serves on several other community boards such as the ACE Charter High School, the Camarillo Boys and Girls Club, the Camarillo Healthcare District advisory board, and the Ventura County Taxpayers Association, among others. For many years Gary supported the University?s Annual President?s Dinner and has contributed to student scholarships through the Stand Up For Students program in 2011 and 2012. More recently, Gary was instrumental in establishing the Camarillo Trolley which brought together the City of Camarillo, the Chamber of Commerce and the University, providing access to services for the entire campus community. Gary?s outstanding service to his community over the years earned him such distinguished awards as the Camarillo Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year in 2008 and the Pleasant Valley Historical District?s ?Don? of Camarillo, the organization?s highest honor. In addition, Gary has worked as consultant for the Henry L. ?Hank? Lacayo Institute for Workforce and Community Studies matching student interns with local businesses. Gary is a loving husband to his wife, Julie, father to Melissa, Mike, Nathan, Garrett, Trenton, Christie, Amanda and Leanne, and most especially, a grandfather to 13 grandchildren. The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes alumni who have made significant contributions to society, and whose accomplishments, affiliations and careers have honored the legacy of excellence at the University.� On behalf of the CI Alumni & Friends Association I am delighted to present the Distinguished Alumni Award to Gary Cushing. Gary, would you please join me at the podium? (HUTCHINSON PRESENTS AWARD TO GARY; DR. RUSH AND GARY POSE FOR PHOTOS) RUSH: Gary, would you like to share a few words? CUSHING: Thank you Dr. Rush. You don?t know how much this award means to me. From going to Sacramento to lobby for the University before it was here, making the annual trips representing CI with Celina Zacarias, working with Tania Garcia as the President of the Alumni and Friends Association, placing interns for the Hank Lacayo Institute along with Amanda Carpenter, and graduating from CI and having a great experience with the faculty and staff our great University. I have enjoyed it all. The one person who stands out above all of the people I mention here is my best friend and my wife, Julie. Without her support and encouragement to go back and finish my degree, it would never have been possible. Thank you and congratulations to all the new alumni here today. Remember CI is your University and do all you can do in the future to help the students that will follow you. Thank you. (GARY TAKE HIS SEAT AND HUTCHINSON RETURNS TO THE PODIUM, LEADING APPLAUSE) HUTCHINSON: Congratulations Gary! I would now like to invite Dr. Bill Cordeiro, Dr. A.J. Bieszczad (Bee-shad), Dr. Jesse Elliott, and Dr. Amy Denton to please join us on the stage (pause). Will the master?s degree candidates please stand and President Rush will you please join me at the podium? HUTCHINSON: President Rush, I present to you the California State University Channel Islands 2015 candidates for master degrees, and the newest members of the CSU Class of 3 Million! These candidates have completed the requirements for the master?s degree as prescribed by the State of California and the Trustees of the California State University, and have been recommended by the faculty of California State University Channel Islands. RUSH: Upon the recommendation of the faculty of California State University Channel Islands and the authority vested in me by the Board of Trustees, I hereby confer upon you the Master of Arts and Master of Science, with all of the rights, honors, and responsibilities pertaining thereto. HUTCHINSON: Before we proceed, I would like to ask that all of our master?s students, out of courtesy to all students and upon returning to your seat, that you please remain seated until the ceremony has concluded. Thank you. HUTCHINSON: Will the candidates for the master?s degree in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics please proceed to the stage as directed by your faculty marshal and Event Staff. (RUSH STANDS ON HIS MARK TO SHAKE HANDS AND PRESENT DIPLOMA TUBES. As needed, move from Stage Left to Right depending on the direction of the graduates) (MASTER?S CANDIDATES LEAVE THEIR SEATS AND USE SIDE RAMP TO ENTER STAGE. STUDENTS WILL HAND THEIR CARD TO THE READER, STAND ON THEIR MARK TO BE HOODED, WALK ACROSS STAGE AND SHAKE HANDS WITH THE PRESIDENT, EXIT ON OPPOSITE SIDE RAMP, AND RETURN TO THEIR SEATS THROUGH MIDDLE AISLE) Order of Presentation of Master?s Candidates: MS Biotechnology and Bioinformatics MS Biotechnology and MBA (dual degree) MBA MS Computer Science MS Mathematics (AS THE LAST MASTER?S STUDENT (MATHEMATICS) CROSSES STAGE, RUSH CONTINUES TO STAND AT FRONT AND HUTCHINSON RETURNS TO PODIUM) HUTCHINSON: Will all the candidates for a baccalaureate degree please stand and President Rush will you kindly join me once again at the podium? (RUSH JOINS HUTCHINSON AT PODIUM) HUTCHINSON: President Rush, I present to you the California State University Channel Islands undergraduate class of 2015, and the newest members of the CSU Class of 3 Million! These candidates have completed the requirements for the baccalaureate degree as prescribed by the State of California and the Trustees of the California State University, and have been recommended by the faculty of California State University Channel Islands. (HUTCHINSON STEPS ASIDE) RUSH: Upon the recommendation of the faculty of California State University Channel Islands and the authority vested in me by the Board of Trustees, I hereby confer upon you the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degree with all of the rights, honors, and responsibilities pertaining thereto. Congratulations! We salute your dedication and perseverance as you continue your path to success! Please be seated. HUTCHINSON: Will the baccalaureate degree candidates for Applied Physics please approach the stage as directed by your faculty marshal and Event Staff? (RUSH STANDS ON HIS MARK, STAGE LEFT, THEN SWITCHES WHEN THE OTHER SIDE BEGINS. A CABINET MEMBER WILL HAND TUBES TO THE PRESIDENT). Order of Presentation of Baccalaureate Candidates: Applied Physics, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Communication, Computer Science, Economics, ESRM, Info Tech, Mathematics, Nursing, and Spanish (EACH GROUP OF MAJORS WILL APPROACH STAGE FROM SIDE AISLE AND USE SAME-SIDE RAMPS TO ENTER STAGE. STUDENTS WILL HAND THEIR CARD TO THE READER, BE ANNOUNCED AND WALK ACROSS STAGE TO SHAKE HANDS WITH THE PRESIDENT, THEN EXIT RAMP ON OPPOSITE SIDE OF STAGE, RETURN TO THEIR SEATS THROUGH MIDDLE AISLE) ************************************************ (AS LAST SPANISH STUDENT EXITS STAGE, RUBALCAVA CUES AUDIO TECH TO PLAY THE MISSION BELLS. HUTCHINSON RETURNS TO THE PODIUM AFTER BELLS HAVE STOPPED). HUTCHINSON: As is academic tradition, a student who has not yet earned a degree wears the tassel of his or her mortarboard on the right side. However, once the degree is conferred, the scholar moves the tassel to the left side joining a select company of university-educated men and women. In recognition of your new status, I invite all recipients of a bachelor?s degree to move your tassels to the left as we applaud your outstanding efforts! (leads applause). (PAUSE HERE AS CONFETTI CANNONS ARE OPENED!) HUTCHINSON: On behalf of the University, I would also like to extend our appreciation to the members of the Commencement Committee and campus Event Staff who worked so hard to make today a memorable one for all our graduating students but more importantly, for the parents, families, and friends who have joined us here today to celebrate your students? academic achievements! (leads applause) HUTCHINSON: I would also like to inform all our new graduates that at the conclusion of today?s ceremony, President Rush will be available to take photographs with you and your family members at the Alumni & Friends tent located on the west side of the Quad (point to right). And as a reminder, during the recessional you should exchange your diploma tube for a diploma cover as you pass through the tent on your way out. Ladies, gentlemen, and graduates?I invite you to please stand for the singing of our Alma Mater by our student vocalist, Sneha (snay-ha) Venkatraman (ven-kah-trah-man). The Alma Mater, arranged and composed by Dr. Theodore Lucas, can be found on page 7 of your printed program. (TURN PAGE FOR ALMA MATER LYRICS) ALMA MATER Sing we now of Channel Islands, Alma Mater dear. Raise a song of friendship, and sing for all to hear. We shall always stand united, onward we shall sail! With hearts and hands together, all Hail! Hail! Hail! � From the islands to the mountains, to the mighty shore, Cal State Channel Islands, shall stand forevermore. Even in adversity, the Dolphins shall prevail! To thee, our Alma Mater, all Hail! Hail! Hail! (AS THE SONG IS NEARING THE CONCLUSION GRIER AND HAMPTON STEP FORWARD TO RETRIEVE THE MACE AND LIGHT). (COMPTON RETURNS TO HER SEAT TO JOIN IN THE RECESSIONAL) (RUBALCAVA CUES RECESSIONAL MUSIC; GRIER LEADS THE PLATFORM PARTY IN REVERSE ORDER WITH THE LIGHT OF LEARNING EXITING LAST FROM THE STAGE Page | 39