By Kim Lamb Gregory
The first Latina ever to be appointed to the Ventura County Superior Court and the former second lady of the United States received honorary doctorates at the CSUCI Commencement ceremonies held Saturday, May 19.
CSUCI President Erika Beck, presented Judge Michele Castillo with an honorary Doctor of Laws during the morning ceremony and Mary Elizabeth “Tipper” Gore was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters at the afternoon commencement.
Once again, CSUCI graduated a record number of 2,513 students eligible to receive degrees. Over 19,000 parents, families and friends helped the 1,600 graduates in attendance celebrate at the ceremonies.
After welcoming remarks, Castillo took the podium and shared that she, like many of the Class of 2018, was the first in her family to attend college.
Castillo spoke about growing up in Ventura as part of a multiracial family of five. Her father was a drug addict who often did not work, leaving her mother as the sole breadwinner.
Her books became her refuge, especially books about Martin Luther King Jr. and his quest for social justice and civil rights.
She made good grades and participated in activities such as the Stanford University Junior Statesmen of America program despite low expectations from one high school counselor.
“I did those programs despite … my high school counselor who encouraged me to take home economics instead of more challenging classes because, in his mind, I would soon be at home,” she recalled.
Castillo acknowledged that the Class of 2018 also overcame obstacles to earn their degrees, and now was the time to put their education to good use.
“I dare each and every one of you to go out there and make a difference with your university education,” she said.
At the afternoon ceremony, Gore expressed gratitude at being able to share one of life’s great moments with graduates.
“Receiving your college degree is a time of celebration, transition and yes, a little trepidation,” she said.
Gore reminded them of a passage from Ecclesiastes about how “to everything, there is a season” and how it helped her through transitions in her own life.
“There have been seasons in my life to be very public and work on the national stage for issues I care about deeply, such as mental health and ending homelessness,” she said. “And there have been other very private seasons when I have tended to my family’s needs, recharged myself and reset my priorities.”
Gore suggested that in this season of academic triumph, that now was the time to speak up for what is right, fair and true.
“Given the challenges in our country and the world today, I believe now is not the time to keep silent,” she said.
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© Spring 2018 / Volume 22 /Number 01 / Bi-annual