Processional
Student Banner Bearers
- Alfredo Perez, ‘24 Engineering Technology and Computer Network System Management
- Guillermo Luna, ‘24 Computer Engineering
Announcement of the Commencement
Mahima Suresh, Assistant Professor, Computer Engineering
National Anthem
Rachel Nelson, ’25 BM Vocal Performance, Choral Music Education
Welcome
Sheryl Ehrman, Don Beall Dean, Charles W. Davidson College of Engineering
Presiding
Cynthia Teniente-Matson, President
Congratulations from the SJSU Alumni Association
Amanda Abiera, ‘15 Biomedical Engineering, Member, Alumni Association Board of Directors
Commencement Address
Rufino Olay, ‘94 Electrical Engineering
Presentation of Candidates
Marc D’Alarcao, Dean, College of Graduate Programs
Sheryl Ehrman, Don Beall Dean, Charles W. Davidson College of Engineering
Conferring of Degrees
Cynthia Teniente-Matson, President
Alma Mater
Rachel Nelson, ’25 BM Vocal Performance, Choral Music Education
“Hail, Spartans, Hail”
Recessional
Rufino Olay, ‘94, Electrical Engineering
Rufino Olay’s career spans 30 years in the tech industry, managing the design and launch of semiconductor products throughout Silicon Valley. Olay is a US Navy veteran and earned his bachelor’s of science in electrical engineering from SJSU and an MBA from St. Mary’s College.
For the past decade, he has worked in the startup community, including being a co-founder and chief operating officer of a tech startup. He has served as the president of a STEM educational nonprofit focused on underserved communities and has also been the chairman of the executive committee of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Santa Clara Valley Section.
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 color for the Davidson College of Engineering is orange.
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.