鈥淓van Daniel Issac Pearson鈥 was loud over the sound system, and Donna Pearson was proud. Seeing her son stride onto the graduation stage at the University Credit Union Center Friday (Aug. 26) was worth a second trip from Atlanta and the wait of a few extra weeks. Even though the diploma for Evan鈥檚 bachelor鈥檚 degree in international relations had already come by mail, this was what his mother longed for. 鈥淚 wanted to hear his name called, to see him walk across the stage,鈥 she said.
About 300 graduating students and hundreds more of their guests celebrated at two commencements held over the weekend to help make amends for students and families missing such prized moments at ceremonies in June.
Efforts to mitigate against rising temperatures at the university鈥檚 first ceremonies held outdoors at 嘿嘿视频 Health Stadium in June weren鈥檛 enough, and commencements didn鈥檛 go as planned. After surveying impacted students, the campus invited them to return for one of three indoor ceremonies, including one still to come Dec. 10.
Friends since kindergarten, Ivan Padilla Franco and Abrielle Spaletta, both of Petaluma, enjoyed being able to share the experience. 鈥淚鈥檓 happy we got the option to come back,鈥 said Padilla Franco, who graduated with an English degree. Spaletta received a degree in psychology and cognitive science.
Both days鈥 programs were streamlined 鈥 Friday鈥檚 finished in 30 minutes and Saturday鈥檚 in fewer than 45. On Saturday, student speaker Sana Sayyid, who studied biology and was presented with the Social Justice and Inclusion Award, encouraged fellow graduates to lead with purpose.
And in brief remarks, the chancellor announced something special for students who鈥檇 registered to graduate as part of the Class of 2022: They would receive a one-year complimentary membership to the California Aggie Alumni Association or, if they were already a lifetime member, a $30 gift certificate to the campus bookstore.
Respecting the importance of each graduate鈥檚 moment on stage, the university used professional name readers 鈥 with acting and voice-over experience 鈥 to announce the students. Alongside the ramp to the stage, Neil Tanner and Maura Soden shared duties for checking with students on pronunciation and reading their names. Crystal Masuda, events manager for the College of Letters and Science, signaled to each student when to start across the stage. The chancellor shook each student鈥檚 hand, and a photographer captured the moment.
From the seats above, guests captured their own graduation memories. Padilla Franco鈥檚 parents were taking photos with their mobile phones. 鈥淲e鈥檙e so proud of him,鈥 said Consuelo Franco. Ivan is the first in their family to graduate from a university.
At the receptions that followed the ceremonies, there were cookies and lemonade, hugs and kisses, more photographs, and horsing around with school mascot Gunrock.
Media Resources
Media contact:
- Julia Ann Easley, News and Media Relations, jaeasley@ucdavis.edu, 530-219-4545