Remarks by Dr. Timothy P. White
Chancellor, California State University
CSU Northridge Spring Commencement Ceremony
Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication
Northridge, CA
May 16, 2015
Thank you President Harrison, Dean Kvapil, Trustee Stepanek, Vice President Watkins, CSUN faculty, and staff…
Welcome alumni, family, and friends…
And good morning, graduates!
I am honored to be here this morning to celebrate such a momentous occasion and to be one of the first to welcome you, the Class of 2015, to the largest alumni network in the world – the CSU Class of 3 Million.
With this graduating class, the CSU now has over 3 million living alumni, found in every industry on every continent.
As you move forward in your career path, I encourage you to leverage this massive alumni network and connect with your colleagues to create positive change in your communities, California, and the world.
You and your peers will be called to solve the most complex issues and opportunities of our time with intelligence, teamwork, and a passion for service.
As graduates, you have the grit, smarts and swagger to overcome obstacles, embrace adversity and spark innovation…
You are the economic engine that will drive California and this nation forward to new prosperity. You are the caretakers of social justice that will ensure equality and opportunity for all.
I would like to take a moment this morning to recognize an outstanding faculty member from the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communication, and the mace bearer for today’s ceremony, professor Nate Thomas.
Professor Thomas is a recipient of the prestigious 2015 Wang Family Excellence Award for Outstanding Faculty… an award endowed through a generous gift by CSU alumnus
Stanley Wang and his family.
In fact, Professor Thomas was the only recipient in the arts across all 23 campuses.
Nate, congratulations again on this fantastic achievement, and for your steadfast dedication to the students of CSUN and the Department of Cinema and Television Arts.
It is also my honor this morning to join with the university in conferring a baccalaureate degree upon a colleague, your fellow CSUN classmate, and student leader for the entire CSU community, Talar Alexanian.
Talar, graduating today with a bachelor’s degree in journalism with an emphasis in public relations as well as a minor in political science, has served our university well as a Student Trustee for the CSU Board of Trustees since 2013.
Trustee Alexanian has been a powerful advocate for this university and its students, faculty, and staff during her two-year term.
Talar, I can speak for the entire Board of Trustees in saying how proud we are of your success.
Congratulations Talar, congratulations graduates, and go forth Matadors!