SDSU Commencement 2021 - Fowler College of Business
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY WILL BEGIN IN APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES. [ MUSIC ] [ MUSIC ] [ MUSIC ] LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY WILL BEGIN SHORTLY. [ MUSIC ] PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS.
THE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY IS ABOUT TO BEGIN. DEAN REINIG: GOOD EVENING! WELCOME TO SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY'S 2021 COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES FOR THE FOWLER COLLEGE OF BUSINESS. I AM BRUCE REINIG, THE INTERIM THOMAS AND EVELYN PAGE DEAN. I NOW ASK THAT YOU PLEASE STAND FOR THE SINGING OF OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM LED BY MS. VICTORIA MATLOCK FOWLER OF THE SCHOOL OF
THEATRE, TELEVISION, AND FILM. [ SINGING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM ] [ CHEERING & APPLAUSE ] DEAN REINIG: PLEASE BE SEATED. NOW PLEASE CALL YOUR ATTENTION TO THE VIDEO BOARD FOR THE KUMEYAAY LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT PROVIDED BY SDSU'S TRIBAL LIAISON, MR. JACOB ALVARADO WAIPUK [ APPLAUSE ] DEAN REINIG: FOR US IN THE UNIVERSITY. FOR THE FACULTY IT MARKS THE SUCCESSFUL END OF ANOTHER ACADEMIC YEAR. FOR THE STUDENTS IT REPRESENTS THE END OF A CONTINUING PART OF THEIR EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY—THE PART THAT IS STRUCTURED AROUND CLASSES, TESTS, AND PAPERS, AND IN WHICH A NEW LIFE BEGINS EVERY 15 WEEKS.
BUT IT ALSO REPRESENTS THE BEGINNING—THE COMMENCEMENT—OF THEIR JOURNEY AS LIFELONG LEARNERS. THIS YEAR'S COMMENCEMENT TAKES ON SPECIAL MEANING AS IT OCCURS AT A TIME WHEN WE HAVE REASON TO BE HOPEFUL THAT WE ARE REACHING THE END OF THE PANDEMIC THAT BEGAN IN SPRING 2020. [ CHEERING & APPLAUSE ]THE PANDEMIC UNDOUBTEDLY ALTERED OUR LIVES IN MANY ASPECTS BUT DESPITE ALL THE CHALLENGES AND SETBACKS YOU HAVE SUCCEEDED. YOU HAVE REACHED THIS CHERISHED DAY. YOU HAVE MY HEARTFELT RESPECT AND ADMIRATION. YOU, OUR STUDENTS, HAVE COME A LONG WAY SINCE THE DAY THAT YOU FIRST ENTERED OUR CAMPUS COMMUNITY.
BUT YOU HAVE NOT MADE THIS TRIP ALONE. YOUR FAMILIES AND LOVED ONES HAVE NURTURED AND ENCOURAGED YOU IN YOUR EFFORTS. THEIR SUPPORT HAS ENABLED YOU TO GROW AS INDIVIDUALS AND TO SUCCEED AS STUDENTS. IN CELEBRATING YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS, WE CELEBRATE THEIRS AS WELL. SO WE WELCOME
ALL OF YOU TO JOIN US AS WE SHARE THIS SPECIAL OCCASION TOGETHER, KNOWING THAT EACH OF US HAS MADE A UNIQUE CONTRIBUTION TO MAKING THIS DAY POSSIBLE. THANK YOU. [ CHEERING & APPLAUSE ]IT IS NOW MY PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE THE PROVOST AND SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AT SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY, DR. SALVADOR HECTOR OCHOA. PROVOST OCHOA: THANK YOU, INTERIM DEAN REINIG. IT IS MY PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE THE FOLLOWING COLLEAGUES AND GUESTS IN ATTENDANCE TODAY. PLEASE STAND AS I CALL YOUR NAME AND
REMAIN STANDING UNTIL ALL HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED. PLEASE HOLD YOUR APPLAUSE UNTIL ALL HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED. HONORARY DOCTORATE RECIPIENT, MR. JESSIE KNIGHT, JR. CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY TRUSTEE, MR. ADAM DAY VICE PRESIDENT OF STUDENT AFFAIRS AND CAMPUS DIVERSITY AND CHIEF DIVERSITY OFFICER, DR. J. LUKE WOOD INTERIM VICE PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, MS. AGNES WONG NICKERSON
VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY RELATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT, DR. ADRIENNE VARGAS VICE PRESIDENT FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, MR. JERRY SHEEHAN INTERIM VICE PRESIDENT FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION, DR. HALA MADANAT
INTERIM THOMAS AND EVELYN PAGE DEAN FOR THE FOWLER COLLEGE OF BUSINESS, DR. BRUCE REINIG. PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING THESE INDIVIDUALS. [ APPLAUSE ]YOU MAY BE SEATED. AND, FINALLY, IT IS MY PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE THE PRESIDENT OF SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY, DR. ADELA DE LA TORRE. [ APPLAUSE ] DE LA TORRE: THANK YOU, PROVOST OCHOA.
BUENOS DIAS... WHAT A WONDERFUL DAY! IT IS MY HONOR TO EXTEND A WARM, ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME TO TODAY'S COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY FOR THE CLASSES OF 2020 AND 2021. WHAT A MARVELOUS OCCASION TO BE HERE...WITH ALL OF YOU... IN PERSON AT PETCO PARK! TODAY'S GRADUATION CELEBRATION ANYTHING WE HAVE SEEN IN THE 124-YEAR HISTORY OF THIS UNIVERSITY.
AFTER SO MANY MONTHS APART, WE ARE DELIGHTED TO BE ABLE TO HONOR YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TOGETHER AND IN PERSON WITH PEERS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS... MAKING THIS CELEBRATION EVEN MORE SPECIAL AND MEMORABLE. GRADUATES, YOUR INHERENT CURIOSITY, COMPASSION, TENACITY, AND COURAGE HELPED YOU REACH THIS IMPORTANT MILESTONE IN YOUR LIFE. YOU ACHIEVED SUCCESS DURING ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING PERIODS IN RECENT MEMORY. YOU HAVE NOT ONLY SHOWN YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO EARN
YOUR DEGREES, YOU HAVE SHOWN THAT YOU HAVE THE RESILIENCE AND SPIRIT TO CONQUER WHATEVER LIES AHEAD. I AM PROUD EVERY ONE OF YOU! SO...PLEASE... LET US ALL GIVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR OUR NEWEST SDSU GRADUATES AND FUTURE LEADERS. [ CHEERING & APPLAUSE ] TODAY'S COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY IS NOT ONLY SYMBOLIC OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS, BUT ALSO IS A TESTAMENT TO THE SUPPORT STRUCTURES AROUND YOU --- FAMILY, FRIENDS, FACULTY AND STAFF… WHO BELIEVED IN YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY…. SHARING YOUR ANXIETY, FEARS AND FRUSTRATIONS AND TRANSFORMING THEM INTO THE ENERGY THAT PROPELLED YOU FORWARD. IT'S BEEN A GROUP EFFORT. PLEASE JOIN ME IN THANKING YOUR FAMILY AND ALL
THOSE WHO SUPPORTED YOU. [ CHEERING & APPLAUSE ] WE ARE NOW AT A CRITICAL TIPPING POINT AS A NATION...STATE...AND COMMUNITY… …...PEOPLE ARE GETTING VACCINATED. THE ECONOMY
IS COMING BACK. WE ARE OPENING UP... SUCH THAT… .... MORE PEOPLE ARE WORKING. ….EVERY DAY NEW JOBS ARE CREATED. ….NEW INVESTMENTS BY THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS ARE CREATING NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR US ALL…. SO YOU ARE GRADUATING DURING AN EXCITING TIME...AND ABOVE ALL ELSE… A HOPEFUL TIME. BUT AS
MUCH AS THIS LAST YEAR WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR ITS MANY CHALLENGES...THIS GRADUATING CLASS... AND YOUR FAMILIES...WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR YOUR INCREDIBLE RESILIENCE. FOR REMAINING FOCUSED AND ACHIEVING YOUR DREAMS. YOU ARE ALL STRONGER AND BETTER PREPARED FOR WHATEVER LIFE BRINGS... BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU ACCOMPLISHED...AND ALSO WHEN YOU ACCOMPLISHED IT. IF ANYONE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT IT TAKES TO MAINTAIN FOCUS AND COMMITMENT IN CHAOS AND UNCERTAINTY, THEY CAN LOOK TO OUR 2020 AND 2021 GRADUATING CLASSES AND SEE WHAT YOU ARE MADE OF.
WHEN I REFLECT ON THE PAST YEAR, I AM ALSO SO IMPRESSED WITH HOW YOU MADE YOUR VOICES HEARD ON VITAL ISSUES OF COMMUNITY...YOU ADVOCATED FOR SUSTAINABILITY...FOR PHILANTHROPY AND SERVICE...FOR ATHLETICISM AND VICTORY...FOR
EQUITY, JUSTICE, AND BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS...FOR INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP...AND SO MUCH MORE. THIS GROWTH IN CONFIDENCE HAS ALLOWED YOU… ----TO RECOGNIZE THE UNIQUE VALUES YOU EACH HAVE… ------TO EMBRACE DISCOMFORT IN WAYS THAT PROPEL SOCIAL CHANGE... -----AND TO ENVISION A
FUTURE WHERE COMMUNITY SUCCESS IS KEY TO INDIVIDUAL SUCCESS. I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT AS YOU TAKE YOUR PLACE IN THE LARGER WORLD OUTSIDE THIS UNIVERSITY...YOU WILL CONTINUE TO USE YOUR CONFIDENCE, KNOWLEDGE, AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP TO BE GOOD STEWARDS OF THE PLANET...AND TO BE ADVOCATES FOR THE KINDS OF CHANGE AND REFORM OUR NATION AND WORLD NEED. YOU ALL HAVE THE ULTIMATE POWER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. YOU HAVE THE POWER TO HELP CHANGE THE WORLD. YOU ALREADY ARE. LET ME CITE JUST A
FEW QUICK EXAMPLES. MORE THAN 300 SDSU NURSING STUDENTS WERE TRAINED TO ADMINISTER COVID-19 VACCINES ACROSS SAN DIEGO. THE STUDENTS ARE NOW AT COUNTY VACCINATION SITES DIRECTLY ASSISTING WITH VACCINATIONS. HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS DANCED ALL NIGHT DURING THE DANCE MARATHON AT SDSU, RAISING MORE THAN $372,000 FOR PATIENTS AND FAMILIES AT RADY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF SAN DIEGO – REFUSING TO GIVE UP THIS IMPORTANT EVENT. ALSO...WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER OUR AMAZING MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM... WHICH WORKED TIRELESSLY
TO PRACTICE...COMPETE...AND COMPLY UNDER THE STRICTEST COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS. THROUGH IT ALL, THEY WERE VICTORIOUS IN HANGING TWO NEW BANNERS IN VIEJAS ARENA—ONE AS MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS AND ANOTHER AS MOUNTAIN WEST TOURNAMENT WINNERS! AND KUDOS, AS WELL, TO OUR OUTSTANDING WOMEN'S TRACK AND FIELD TEAM, WHO IN 2021 CLAIMED YET ANOTHER MOUNTAIN WEST CHAMPIONSHIP. THEY HAVE DOMINATED YEAR AFTER YEAR, AND HAVE WON FIVE OF THE LAST EIGHT MOUNTAIN WEST OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS. EACH OF THESE EXAMPLES MAKE US ALL
PROUD AS FELLOW AZTECS. AND I HOPE... THAT AS YOU RECEIVE YOUR DEGREES AND MOVE ON TO THE NEXT CHAPTERS OF YOUR LIVES... WHETHER YOU ARE CONTINUING YOUR EDUCATION OR GETTING STARTED ON YOUR CAREERS... TACKLING THESE CHALLENGES BIG AND SMALL...LOCAL AND GLOBAL….YOU WILL ALWAYS CONSIDER SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY YOUR HOME.
WE CONSIDER YOU A PERMANENT PART OF THE SDSU FAMILY. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. YOU ARE NOW PART OF THE UNIVERSITY'S GLOBAL NETWORK OF MORE THAN 400,000 LIVING AZTEC ALUMS. I URGE YOU TO STAY CONNECTED TO THE UNIVERSITY AND TO ONE ANOTHER, NO MATTER WHERE YOUR DREAMS AND CAREERS MAY TAKE YOU. WE WANT AND NEED YOU TO BE
PART OF OUR EFFORTS TO INNOVATE, CONTRIBUTE, AND HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE WORLD AROUND US. WE HOPE YOU WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY A ROLE IN YOUR UNIVERSITY'S FUTURE SO MORE STUDENTS CAN WALK IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS...CAN LEARN FROM YOU...AND CREATE A MORE EQUITABLE AND JUST SOCIETY. SO, AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS TO GRADUATES, AND THANKS TO YOUR FAMILIES. I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE ALL THE GREAT AND EXCITING THINGS YOU DO! AND...GO AZTECS!! [ CHEERING & APPLAUSE ] IT IS FITTING AT THIS TIME TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS WHO HAVE PUT THEIR EDUCATION ON HOLD IN ORDER TO SERVE IN THE U.S. ARMED FORCES. WE ALSO
THANK THE VETERANS WHO ARE HERE TODAY FOR THEIR SERVICE TO OUR NATION. WE THANK YOU AND APPRECIATE YOUR SACRIFICE. WOULD YOU ALL PLEASE STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED? [ CHEERING & APPLAUSE ] WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO REMEMBER OUR FELLOW FACULTY, STAFF AND STUDENTS WHO WE LOST OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, AS WELL AS THE COUNTLESS LIVES LOST DUE TO THE PANDEMIC. PLEASE JOIN ME IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE. [ SILENCE ] THANK YOU.
DEAN REINIG: WE NOW TAKE TIME IN THESE PROCEEDINGS TO HONOR AN INDIVIDUAL WHO, BY A LIFE OF SERVICE AND EXCELLENCE, HAS EXEMPLIFIED THE GOALS OF THE UNIVERSITY—ITS FACULTY, ITS STUDENTS, AND ITS STAFF. IN THE 124-YEAR HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY, ONLY 53 SUCH INDIVIDUALS HAVE BEEN SIMILARLY RECOGNIZED. THE PRACTICE OF AWARDING HONORARY DEGREES, TODAY THE DOCTOR OF HUMANE LETTERS, IS A CUSTOM THAT CAN BE TRACED BACK TO THE BEGINNINGS OF ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS AND IS THE HIGHEST HONOR THAT SUCH AN INSTITUTION CAN BESTOW. CSU TRUSTEE DR. JACK McGRORY
MR. ADAM DAY WILL NOW SHARE WITH EVERYONE WHY WE ARE BESTOWING THIS HONOR ON MR. JESSIE KNIGHT, JR. TRUSTEE McGRORY: IN THE WORLD OF HIGHER EDUCATION, THERE IS NO MORE PRESTIGIOUS AWARD THAN THE GRANTING OF AN HONORARY DEGREE. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING FOR WHICH YOU CAN APPLY. YOU DO NOT GET TO
NOMINATE YOURSELF. IN FACT, YOU WILL NEVER KNOW YOU WERE NOMINATED UNTIL AFTER OUR BOARD MAKES A CONFIDENTIAL DETERMINATION. THE REVIEW PROCESS IS COMPLEX, LENGTHY AND RIGOROUS. A NOMINEE AND THEIR QUALIFICATIONS ARE CHALLENGED AND REVIEWED MULTIPLE TIMES, BOTH AT THE CAMPUS WITH REVIEW BY THE FACULTY SENATE, AND BY THE CHANCELLOR'S OFFICE. IT IS THEN FURTHER REVIEWED BY A COMMITTEE OF TRUSTEES, AND ULTIMATELY BY THE FULL BOARD.
TO EVEN BE CONSIDERED, THE TRUSTEES' CRITERIA ARE VERY STRINGENT: ● FIRST, TO RECOGNIZE INSPIRATIONAL CHARACTER, EXCELLENCE AND EXTRAORDINARY ACHIEVEMENT IN SIGNIFICANT AREAS OF HUMAN ENDEAVOR THAT REFLECT THE OBJECTIVES AND IDEALS OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY. ● SECOND, TO HONOR MERITORIOUS AND OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLECTIVELY OR TO INDIVIDUAL CAMPUSES, THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, THE UNITED STATES, OR TO HUMANITY AT LARGE. ● THIRD, TO RECOGNIZE INDIVIDUALS WHOSE LIVES, CONDUCT, AND SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS SERVE AS EXAMPLES OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY'S ASPIRATIONS FOR ITS DIVERSE STUDENT BODY. IN SHORT, WE ARE EXTREMELY SELECTIVE AS WE CHOOSE THE BEST OF THE BEST AMONGST OUR MIDST. IT IS ONLY FITTING THAT WE HONOR ONE SUCH INDIVIDUAL TODAY. I WOULD NOW LIKE TO ASK MR. JESSIE
KNIGHT, JR. AND PRESIDENT DE LA TORRE TO JOIN ME HERE AT THE PODIUM. TRUSTEE DAY: JESSIE J. KNIGHT, JR. IS MANAGING DIRECTOR OF
KNIGHT ANGELS LLC, A PRIVATE EQUITY FUND DEVOTED TO ANONYMOUS FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS THAT ARE LED BY INNOVATIVE MINORITY, WOMEN AND MILITARY VETERAN LEADERS. HE FORMERLY SERVED AS SEMPRA ENERGY'S EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, CHIEF SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER AND CHAIRMAN OF SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAS COMPANY. MR. KNIGHT CURRENTLY CO-CHAIRS A NATIONAL TASK FORCE TO CREATE JOBS IN DISTRESSED U.S. CITIES WITH ENERGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT INVESTMENTS.
PREVIOUSLY, MR. KNIGHT WAS PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE SAN DIEGO REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. REPRESENTING MORE THAN 400,000 EMPLOYEES, IT IS THE LARGEST BUSINESS ORGANIZATION IN CALIFORNIA AND THE THIRD LARGEST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN THE WESTERN U.S. MR. KNIGHT ALSO SERVED AS VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING FOR THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE AND SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER NEWSPAPERS WHERE HE WON FIVE CLIO AWARDS FOR TELEVISION, RADIO AND PRINT ADVERTISING, AND A CANNES FILM FESTIVAL GOLDEN LION AWARD FOR BUSINESS MARKETING. MR. KNIGHT WAS THE GOVERNOR-APPOINTED COMMISSIONER FOR THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION. IN VARIOUS
PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL CAPACITIES, HE HAS BEEN AN ARDENT SPOKESPERSON TO ELEVATE THE NATION'S ENERGY POLICY. PRIOR TO HIS GUBERNATORIAL APPOINTMENT, HE WAS THE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE SAN FRANCISCO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, RESPONSIBLE FOR INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS AND ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT. IN THIS ROLE, HE ORGANIZED THE ORIGINAL INVESTOR GROUP TO BUY THE SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS, AND HELPED ORCHESTRATE THE APPROVAL AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE CURRENT BASEBALL STADIUM WHERE THE GIANTS NOW PLAY. HE ALSO HAS SERVED ON THE BOARDS OF THE RADY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL-SAN DIEGO, THE J. CRAIG VENTER INSTITUTE, THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LEADERSHIP COUNCIL, THE UC SAN DIEGO FOUNDATION, THE SAN DIEGO PADRES AND THE TIMKEN MUSEUM OF ART, WHERE HE IS BOARD CHAIR. IN 2013, THE CORPORATE DIRECTORS FORUM
DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR FOR CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP. HE RECEIVED THE PRESIDENT'S LEADERSHIP AWARD FOR REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP FROM THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS, THE NATION'S LARGEST METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION. MR. KNIGHT RETIRED FROM CORPORATE LIFE IN 2016. KNIGHT IS A GRADUATE OF ST. LOUIS UNIVERSITY, A FELLOW OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MADRID AND HOLDS A MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DEGREE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON.
HE IS A LIFE MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS AND A MEMBER OF HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II'S ORDER OF ST. JOHN. IN RECOGNITION OF HIS EXTRAORDINARY ACHIEVEMENTS AND AS AN INSPIRATION TO STUDENTS AT SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY AND SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY ARE PROUD TO CONFER UPON JESSIE J. KNIGHT, JR. THE HONORARY DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF HUMANE LETTERS. DE LA TORRE: THIS YEAR WE ARE UNABLE TO PERFORM THE TRADITIONAL HOODING CEREMONY WHICH SIGNIFIES THIS PRESTIGIOUS HONOR AND; THEREFORE, MR. KNIGHT IS ALREADY DONNING HIS HONORARY DOCTORATE HOOD. I AM PLEASED THAT THE UNIVERSITY IS ABLE TO
HONOR MR. JESSIE KNIGHT, JR. IN THIS SPECIAL WAY. ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE FACULTY, AND ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, I HEREBY AWARD YOU THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF HUMANE LETTERS WITH ALL THE HONORS, RIGHTS, AND PRIVILEGES PERTAINING THERETO. CONGRATULATIONS, DR. KNIGHT!
[ APPLAUSE ] DR. KNIGHT: CSU BOARD OF TRUSTEES, PRESIDENT DE LA TORRE, PROVOST OCHOA, INTERIM FOWLER COLLEGE OF BUSINESS DEAN REINIG, ESTEEMED FACULTY, DISTINGUISHED GUESTS, FAMILY, SURROGATE FAMILY MEMBERS SIMPLY KNOWN IN MY PERSONAL SHORT-HAND AS "FRIENDS" AND TO THE GATHERED GRADUATES OF 2020 AND 2021 WHO ARE EXPERIENCING ONE OF THE GREATEST DAYS OF YOUR LIFE......I SALUTE YOU! [ APPLAUSE ] LET ME SAY TO YOU ALL, THAT THIS DAY GOES DOWN AS ONE OF THE BIGGEST HONORS OF MY LIFE, AND IN THIS IMPORTANT SPACE IN LET ME SAY A HEARTFELT THANK YOU FOR THE YEARS OF SUPPORT, PARTNERSHIPS, AND SHARED PURPOSE I HAVE BEEN BLESSED TO BE A PART OF TO MAKE OUR REGION THE BEST IT CAN BE, AND TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE FOR ALL. I HUMBLY ACCEPT THIS CHERISHED OCCASION AND BESTOWAL, KNOWING THAT I AM NOW EVEN MORE TURBO-CHARGED THAN EVER TO TACKLE THE EVEN LARGER CHALLENGES WE FACE IN OUR GREAT COUNTRY. DEAR GRADUATES, PLEASE KNOW, THAT THERE ARE BATTLE-HARDENED WARRIORS LIKE MYSELF, AND MY FRIENDS HERE WITH ME TODAY, WHO ARE THE BUSINESS AND CULTURAL HEROES OF OUR COMMUNITY, WHO HAVE GATHERED HERE WITH ME TO HELP ME CELEBRATE THIS HIGH HONOR, AND TO CELEBRATE WHAT YOU AS GRADUATES HAVE INDEED ACCOMPLISHED.
THEY, LIKE ME, HAVE BEEN COMMITTED FOR DECADES TO HELPING MAKE YOUR JOURNEY EASIER GOING FORWARD BY MAKING OUR COMMUNITY STRONGER AND MORE PROSPEROUS, AS YOU NOW PICK UP THE TORCH OF OPPORTUNITY TO REALIZE YOUR OWN DREAMS AND ASPIRATIONS. LET NOT THE CONSTANT MESSAGING BEING THROWN AT YOU FROM ALL DIRECTIONS TAKE HOLD TO CONVINCE YOU THAT OUR COUNTRY OFFERS LITTLE OPPORTUNITY, AND THAT YOUR FUTURE IS DIM. I STAND BEFORE YOU AS A BLACK MAN REARED IN TRUE POVERTY IN SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI, BUT WAS BLESSED TO BE BOLSTERED BY THE RICHES OF LIVING IN A LOVING FAMILY THAT KNEW THAT IT WAS THE POWER OF EDUCATION AND RELIGIOUS VALUES THAT WOULD ALLOW ME AND MY 5 BROTHERS AND SISTERS TO USE OUR GOD-GIVEN TALENTS TO RISE OUT OF THE ASHES OF THAT POVERTY. I STAND ON THE SHOULDERS OF MY 93 YEAR OLD FATHER, WHO ONLY WENT TO THE THIRD GRADE, AND A MOTHER WHO ONLY FINISHED HIGH SCHOOL IN A SEGREGATED SCHOOL. THE FIRE THEY INSTILLED IN US TO
ALWAYS REACH HIGH PRODUCED 5 CHILDREN THAT WENT ON TO HAVE SUCCESSFUL CAREERS IN FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES AND ONE IN THE HIGH RANKS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. DEAR GRADUATES, YOU TOO ARE NOW ARMED TO REACH HIGH, AND IT BEGINS RIGHT NOW, AT THIS VERY MOMENT. YOU HAVE THE FLAME, NOW IT IS TIME TO TURN IT UP AND LET IT BURN DEEP IN YOUR HEARTS SO AS TO NOT HAVE FEAR, NOT EVER LOSE HOPE AND NEVER SEE YOURSELF AS A VICTIM! [ CHEERING & APPLAUSE ] IT IS YOUR DAY TO BE THAT PHOENIX THAT RISES OUT OF THE ASHES OF WHATEVER PAST YOU HAVE HAD, AND IT IS TIME FOR YOU TO SOAR TO GREATNESS AND TO MAKE US ALL PROUD THAT YOU WALKED THE HALLOWED HALLS OF SAN DIEGO STATE. CONGRATULATIONS AND GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS! PROVOST OCHOA: THANK YOU, DR. KNIGHT. WE WILL NOW PROCEED TO THE CONFERRAL OF MASTER'S DEGREES. SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY OFFERS THE MASTER'S DEGREE IN 78 PROGRAM AREAS INCLUDING THE ARTS, LETTERS AND SCIENCES AND IN PROFESSIONAL AREAS. THESE DEGREES ARE EARNED AFTER AT
LEAST ONE TO THREE YEARS OF CONCENTRATED STUDY AND DEMONSTRATED MASTERY OF AN ACADEMIC DISCIPLINE, FREQUENTLY CULMINATING IN A PROJECT OR A THESIS. ALTHOUGH THIS YEAR WE ARE UNABLE TO PERFORM THE TRADITIONAL HOODING CEREMONY, WHICH SIGNIFIES THE RECOGNITION GIVEN BY THE ACADEMY OF HIGHER LEARNING TO STUDENTS WHO HAVE EARNED THESE DEGREES, OUR MASTER'S CANDIDATES CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY THE WEARING OF THE MASTER'S HOOD. WILL OUR 2020 AND 2021 CANDIDATES FOR THE VARIOUS MASTER'S DEGREES PLEASE RISE? [ CHEERING & APPLAUSE ] PRESIDENT DE LA TORRE, I HAVE THE HONOR TO PRESENT THE CANDIDATES WHO HAVE COMPLETED THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MASTER'S DEGREE. THEY HAVE BEEN RECOMMENDED BY THE FACULTY AND GRADUATE COUNCIL TO RECEIVE THEIR DEGREES. PRESIDENT DE LA TORRE: BY VIRTUE OF THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY AND UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE FACULTY, I CONFER UPON YOU THE MASTER'S DEGREE, WITH ALL THE RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES PERTAINING THERETO. CONGRATULATIONS! [ CHEERING & APPLAUSE ] PLEASE BE SEATED.
PROVOST OCHOA: I AM DELIGHTED TO RECOGNIZE THOSE BACHELOR'S CANDIDATES WHOSE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS HAVE EARNED THEM HONORS FOR OUTSTANDING SCHOLARSHIP. STUDENTS GRADUATING WITH EXTREMELY HIGH GPAS—CUM LAUDE, MAGNA CUM LAUDE, AND SUMMA CUM LAUDE—ARE LISTED IN THE COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM. YOU MAY ALSO IDENTIFY THOSE GRADUATES WHO HAVE EARNED OUR HIGHEST ACADEMIC HONOR, SUMMA CUM LAUDE, BY THE GOLD HONORS BRAID WORN OVER THEIR ROBES. WILL ALL THOSE STUDENTS WHO ARE GRADUATING WITH HONORS CUM LAUDE, MAGNA CUM LAUDE AND SUMMA CUM LAUDE PLEASE STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED? [ CHEERING & APPLAUSE ] CONGRATULATIONS! YOU MAY BE SEATED. DEAN REINIG: WE WILL NOW PROCEED TO THE CONFERRAL OF BACHELOR'S DEGREES. IN THE FOWLER COLLEGE OF BUSINESS UNDERGRADUATES EARN
THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION IN VARIOUS MAJORS. IT IS MY PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE THE CANDIDATES FOR BACHELOR'S DEGREES FOR THE CLASS OF 2020 AND CLASS OF 2021 IN THE FOWLER COLLEGE OF BUSINESS. [ CHEERING & APPLAUSE ] PROVOST OCHOA: CLASS OF 2020 AND CLASS OF 2021, ON BEHALF OF THE UNIVERSITY SENATE, I CONGRATULATE YOU ON YOUR ACHIEVEMENT. PRESIDENT DE LA TORRE, BY ACTION OF THE UNIVERSITY SENATE, THE FACULTY APPROVES AND RECOMMENDS AWARDING THE BACHELOR'S DEGREE. ALL CANDIDATES FOR THE BACHELOR'S DEGREE PLEASE RISE.
[ CHEERING & APPLAUSE ] DE LA TORRE: BY VIRTUE OF THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY AND UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE FACULTY, I CONFER UPON YOU THE BACHELOR'S DEGREE, WITH ALL THE RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES PERTAINING THERETO. CONGRATULATIONS! [ CHEERING & APPLAUSE ] NOW IT IS MY PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE MS. GEORGEANNA CLARK WHO HAS EARNED THE DISTINCTION OF OUTSTANDING GRADUATING SENIOR IN THE FOWLER COLLEGE OF BUSINESS. MS. GEORGEANNA CLARK: THANK YOU PRESIDENT DE LA TORRE PROVOST OCHOA AND DEAN REINIG ON BEHALF OF THE CLASS OF 2020 AND CLASS OF 2021, I AM PROUD TO BID A GRATEFUL FAREWELL TO SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY. IT IS CUSTOMARY AT THIS TIME FOR ALL BACHELOR'S CANDIDATES TO MOVE THEIR TASSELS FROM THE RIGHT SIDE TO THE LEFT, SYMBOLIZING THE MOMENT OF GRADUATION. PLEASE JOIN ME. THANK YOU.
SEATED. TODAY—FRIENDS, FAMILY, FACULTY, AND STAFF WHO TRUSTED IN YOU … NOW BEAR WITNESS TO YOUR SUCCESS AS GRADUATES FROM BEGIN A NEW JOURNEY NOT WITHOUT OBSTACLES, BUT WITH THE SKILLS TO NAVIGATE AND HELP OTHERS REACH THEIR POTENTIAL. REMEMBER THAT WITH THIS DIPLOMA COME ALSO NEW OBLIGATIONS... AS THE AGE-OLD MAXIM STATES: "TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN, MUCH WILL BE REQUIRED." WE ARE HERE TODAY BECAUSE MANY AZTECS BEFORE
BELIEVED IN OUR STUDENTS AND INSTITUTION…. AND THEY CONTINUED TO SUPPORT AND INVEST IN OUR CAMPUS. WE KNOW THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO PAY THAT INVESTMENT FORWARD SO THAT FUTURE STUDENTS CAN WALK IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS AND RELISH IN THEIR UNIQUE SDSU EXPERIENCE.
AND I KNOW YOU ARE UP TO THIS NEW CHARGE... YOU ENTERED SDSU AT A TIME WHEN OUR WHOLE WORLD WAS AT A CROSSROADS OF CHANGE AND INNOVATION… AND EACH ONE OF YOU, IN YOUR UNIQUE WAY, LEARNED WELL HOW TO NAVIGATE THESE CROSSROADS IN OUR COMPLEX AND RICH MULTI-BORDER ENVIRONMENT… SINCE YOU BEGAN YOUR COLLEGE CAREER… TECHNOLOGY, COMMUNICATION, AND HUMANITY QUICKLY CHANGED … YET TODAY, YOU WILL WALK AWAY WITH YOUR DIPLOMA INTO PLACES AND SPACES THAT STILL NEED YOUR CURIOSITY, YOUR CREATIVITY, AND YOUR COURAGE. KNOW THAT ON YOUR SIDE IS: THE POWER OF TIME, THE POWER OF PLACE, AND THE POWER OF NOW--- WE ARE EXCEEDINGLY PROUD OF WHAT YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED, WHO YOU ARE BECOMING, AND EVEN MORE, OF WHO YOU WILL CONTINUE TO BECOME. CONGRATULATIONS! FELICIDADES!
[ CHEERING & APPLAUSE ] DEAN REINIG: ONE OF THE FINEST COLLEGE RECOGNITIONS IS TO BE SELECTED FROM ONE'S SCHOOL AS THE OUTSTANDING GRADUATE AT THE UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE LEVELS. IN TURN, THESE STUDENTS SELECT THE MOST INFLUENTIAL FACULTY MEMBER OF THEIR ACADEMIC CAREER. THIS RECIPROCAL RECOGNITION IS GREATLY RESPECTED. LET ME INTRODUCE YOU TO THESE FINE GRADUATES AND THE PROFESSORS THEY HAVE CHOSEN. PLEASE REMAIN STANDING AND HOLD YOUR APPLAUSE UNTIL ALL ARE INTRODUCED. STARTING WITH THE
OUTSTANDING UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS: ● FROM MANAGEMENT: MS. LAUREN LEE AND PROFESSOR TANYA HERTZ ● FROM GENERAL BUSINESS: MS. MacKENZIE ENARSON AND PROFESSOR WILLIAM SANWALD ● FROM GENERAL BUSINESS (ONLINE): MR. JOHN TWILLA AND PROFESSOR NARELLE MacKENZIE ● FROM FINANCE: MR. GIVI KARBELASHVILI AND DR. PATRICK SMITH ● FROM ACCOUNTING: MS.
GEORGEANNA CLARK AND DR. YAOYI XI ● FROM MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS: MR. ARSHAM SANAVI AND DR. KAVEH ABHARI ● FROM MARKETING: MS. THALIA MARGUERITE HAGOPIAN
(TALL-EE-UH MAR-GUH-REET HUG-OH-PEE-IN) AND DR. LOIS OLSON AND MS. ALICE MELZ (MELTS) AND PROFESSOR ISA GRIMES CONTINUING ON WITH THE OUTSTANDING GRADUATE STUDENTS: ● FROM MASTERS OF SCIENCE IN ACCOUNTANCY: MS. CHRISTINE NIZET (NEE-ZAY) AND DR. STEVEN GILL ● FROM MASTERS OF SCIENCE IN
INFORMATION SYSTEMS: MS. SARAH GASMAN AND DR. ROBERT BRIGGS ● FROM MASTERS OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION WITH A CONCENTRATION IN FINANCIAL & TAX PLANNING: MR. MARCUS VISCONTI AND DR. STEFANO GUBELLINI ● FROM MASTERS OF SCIENCE IN CYBERSECURITY MANAGEMENT: MR. LANCE CAMERON AND DR. AARON ELKINS ● FROM MASTERS OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION: MR. BRIAN SCHOENBERGER AND DR. CLAUDIU DIMOFTE WE ASK THE PARENTS AND
FAMILIES OF THESE OUTSTANDING GRADUATES TO RISE AND SHARE THIS RECOGNITION. THANK YOU. PLEASE BE SEATED. AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO -- DEAN REINIG: WE WOULD NOW LIKE TO INDIVIDUALLY RECOGNIZE EACH OF OUR GRADUATES FROM THE FOWLER COLLEGE OF BUSINESS. EARNING A COLLEGE DEGREE TAKES YEARS OF HARD WORK, SACRIFICE AND DEDICATION. PLEASE JOIN THEM IN SHARING THE JOY OF CROSSING THE STAGE IN RECOGNITION OF THAT ACHIEVEMENT.
OUT OF RESPECT FOR YOUR FELLOW GRADUATES AND THEIR FAMILIES, PLEASE REMAIN FOR THE ENTIRE CEREMONY. VO: WILL THE CANDIDATES FOR THE MASTER'S DEGREE PLEASE APPROACH THE STAGE? [ MUSIC ] [ PLAYING COMMENCEMENT ] [ READING NAMES ] [ READING NAMES ] [ READING NAMES ] [ READING NAMES ] [ READING NAMES ] WILL THE CANDIDATES FOR THE BACHELOR'S DEGREE PLEASE APPROACH THE STAGE? [ READING NAMES ] [ READING NAMES ] [ READING NAMES ] [ READING NAMES ] [ READING NAMES ] [ READING NAMES ] [ READING NAMES ] [ READING NAMES ] [ READING NAMES ] [ READING NAMES ] [ READING NAMES ] [ READING NAMES ] [ READING NAMES ] [ READING NAMES ] [ READING NAMES ] DEAN REINIG: THESE COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES ARE NOW CONCLUDED. CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL! (SDSU FIGHT SONG PLAYS.) THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. PLEASE EXIT THE STADIUM QUICKLY AND
THROUGH WHICH YOU ENTERED. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GRADUATES!
2021-05-28 02:54
