Processional
Student Banner Bearers
Connie L. Lurie College of Education
- Juana Leon Hernandez, ’24 Child and Adolescent Development
- Teresa Camba Basnage, ’24 Special Education
College of Health and Human Sciences
- Lyle Mershon, ’24 Nursing
- Meredith Morris-Gaudreau, ’24 Nutrition, Food Science and Packaging
Announcement of the Commencement
Aubrey Uresti, Assistant Professor, Department of Counselor Education. 2024 Counselor Educator of the Year, California Association of School Counselors
National Anthem
Rachel Nelson, ’25 Vocal Performance, Music Education
Welcome
Heather Lattimer, Dean, Connie L. Lurie College of Education
Audrey Shillington, Dean, College of Health and Human Sciences
Presiding
Cynthia Teniente-Matson, SJSU President
Congratulations from the SJSU Alumni Association
Rashad Wiley, ’10 Finance, Board of Directors Member, Alumni Association
Student Commencement Speakers
- Shivani Gupta, ’24 MA Education
- Adriana Silva, ’24 Public Health and Recreation
Presentation of Candidates
Vincent J. Del Casino Jr., Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Conferring of Degrees
Cynthis Teniente-Matson, SJSU President
Alma Mater
Rachel Nelson, ’25 Vocal Performance, Music Education
“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 Health and Human Sciences is Olive Green.
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.