San Marcos,
21
May
2015
|
11:48 AM
America/Los_Angeles

They're Ready: This is the CSUSM Class of 2015

Commencement is more than just a ceremony filled with tradition and pomp, it’s the representation of dreams realized after years of hard work and resiliency—particularly for the over 50 percent of students in the CSUSM Class of 2015 who are the first in their families to earn a bachelor’s degree.

One year ago, the Cocos Wildfire threatened CSUSM and its surrounding communities, forcing the cancellation of finals, the evacuation of campus and the postponement of commencement ceremonies. This year, a late season storm brought heavy rains, causing the rescheduling of three ceremonies from Friday, May 15 to Sunday, May 16.

But the rains could not diminish the resilient spirit of the nearly 2,650 graduates and their families and friends.

“Our journey and our task to make the world better is really only just beginning,” said College of Business Administration graduate and student speaker J.J. Gutowski, one of 13 former foster youth graduating this year. “Be brave, be adventurous and be positive! Today is our day!”