Processional
Student Banner Bearers
- Kathleen Huynh, ‘25 Chemistry
- Giorgio Lam,’25 Biology
Announcement of the Commencement
Madalyn Radlauer, Assoc. Professor, Chemistry
National Anthem
Victoria McDowell, ’25 Vocal Performance
Welcome
Michael Kaufman, Dean, College of Science
Presiding
Cynthia Teniente-Matson, President
Chrissy Chang, ’95 BS, ’97 MSc Human Factors and Ergonomics. Member, Alumni Association Board of Directors
Honorary Doctorate of Science
William Borucki, ’82 MS Meteorology
Presentation of Candidates
Vincent J. Del Casino Jr., Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Conferring of Degrees
Cynthia Teniente-Matson, SJSU President
Alma Mater
Victoria McDowell, ’25 Vocal Performance
“Hail, Spartans, Hail”
Recessional
Honorary Doctorate of Science
William J. Borucki, ’82 MS Meteorology
William Borucki, ’82 MS Meteorology, had a distinguished career as a NASA scientist at the NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California from 1962 to 2015. He began his tenure with the Hypersonic Free Flight Branch, conducting crucial research on heat shield materials for the Apollo missions to the moon.
In 1984, Borucki became a key advocate for the development of a space mission aimed at detecting Earth-sized planets in the habitable zones of sun-like stars.In 2001, he took on the role of principal investigator for the Kepler mission, which ultimately discovered over 4,000 candidate planets within four years. His groundbreaking contributions to space science have earned him numerous prestigious accolades, including the 2015 Drake Award from the SETI Institute, the 2015 Shaw Prize in Astronomy, the 2013 NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal, the 2011 Ames Honor Award for Outstanding Scientist or Researcher and the 1969 NASA Apollo Achievement Award, among others.
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 tassel color for the College Sciences is gold.
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.