Connie L. Lurie College of Education and College of Professional and Global Education San José State University

Commencement Program

Wednesday, May 22, 2024 6:30 p.m. Provident Credit Union Event Center — at San José State University

Processional

Student Banner Bearers

Connie L. Lurie College of Education:

  • Drew Giles, ‘24 EdD
  • Kiley Hall, ‘24 Child and Adolescent Development

College of Professional and Global Education:

  • Kunal Agrawal, ‘24 MSApplied Data Science
  • Aaron Tassin, ‘24 MLIS

Announcement of the Commencement

Guannan Liu, Assistant Professor, Applied Data Science, College of Professional and Global Education

National Anthem

Rebekah Burns, ’25 Vocal Performance

Welcome

Heather Lattimer, Dean, Connie L. Lurie College of Education

Michael Meth, Interim Dean, College of Professional and Global Education

Presiding

Cynthia Teniente-Matson, SJSU President

Congratulations from the SJSU Alumni Association

Amanda Abiera, ‘15 Biomedical Engineering, Member, Alumni Association Board of Directors

Student Commencement Speakers

Connie L. Lurie College of Education:

  • Nannette Regua, ‘94 BA English, ‘17 MA History, ‘24 EdD

College of Professional and Global Education:

  • Vidushi Bhati, ‘24 MS Data Analytics
  • Andrea Cabrera-Sanchez, ‘24 Information Science and Data Analytics

Presentation of Candidates

Marc D’Alarcao, Dean, College of Graduate Studies

Heather Lattimer, Dean, Connie L. Lurie College of Education

Michael Meth, Interim Dean, College of Professional and Global Education

Conferring of Degrees

Cynthis Teniente-Matson, SJSU President

Alma Mater

Rebekah Burns, ’25 Vocal Performance

“Hail, Spartans, Hail”

Recessional

Regalia

Commencement exercises like today’s ceremony date from the Middle Ages and the traditions of Europe’s first universities. Our graduates and members of the platform party are wearing regalia — robes, hoods and caps — that are likely adapted from the clothing of medieval priests or friars. Spot the differences in the gowns:

  • Presidential gown is adorned with four bars, representing the Office of the President.
  • Doctoral gown has velvet panels down the front and three velvet bars on each of the bell-shaped sleeves. The color of the velvet may indicate the academic discipline.
  • Master’s gown may be worn open and has long sleeves with slits above the elbow.
  • Bachelor’s gown has a closed front and long, pointed sleeves.

Draped over the shoulders, the hood evolved from a priest’s cowl and was often used to carry items — the first backpack, perhaps. The lining colors signify the college or university granting the degree. At San José State, the hood is gold, blue and white. The monk’s skullcap became the mortarboard cap or tam. Black is the accepted cap color in the United States, but many foreign universities have colorful headdresses.

Tassels vary in use and color. At SJSU, the color of tassels for bachelor’s degree candidates represent each college. The colors for the Lurie College of Education and the colors for the College of Professional and Global Education are lemon yellow (School of Information) and orange (data analytics).

The Ceremonial Mace

An ornamental staff or scepter, the mace is carried by officials as part of formal parliamentary or academic ceremonies. A gift from the Tower Foundation of SJSU, the university’s ceremonial mace was designed and created by Art and Art History Lecturer Yvonne Escalante, ’13 MFA Spatial Arts. She found inspiration for the design in both SJSU history and the paths students take to reach graduation.

Hail, Spartans, Hail!

Hail, Spartans, Hail! — Hail, gold, blue and white!
We pledge our hearts and hands to keep thy colors ever bright.
Forward we go! We will not fail!
Sing to our Alma Mater,
Hail! Hail! Hail!