Charles W. Davidson College of Engineering San José State University

Commencement Program

Wednesday, May 22, 2024 9:30 a.m. Provident Credit Union Event Center — at San José State University

  • Aviation and Technology
  • Computer Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering

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.

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!