Connie L. Lurie College of Education San José State University

Kimberly Lopez Lamarque, ’25 Child and Adolescent Development

Ellery Carlson is a SAGE student earning a BA in Child and Adolescent Development and an MA in Teaching, along with a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. He serves as a Program Coordinator for the Queer Hope Institute within the Lurie College of Education and as a student assistant in the Communicative Disorders and Sciences Department. Ellery’s journey at SJSU began in 2024, and since then, he has immersed himself in research, service, and community engagement. He has contributed to research on LGBTQ+ youth, partnered with community organizations supporting queer young people, and served as the student representative on the search committee for the new Lurie College dean. He also co-developed the Queer Hope Institute in collaboration with Dr. Robert Marx. Academically, Ellery is passionate about exploring the experiences, well-being, and safety of LGBTQ+ youth. He is currently working on a project focused on helping BIPOC LGBTQ+ youth feel safer and more affirmed within their families and communities. Motivated by a commitment to creating a world where all queer youth can live authentically, Ellery strives to develop programs, resources, and learning environments where people are seen, supported, and valued. Outside of his academic and advocacy work, Ellery enjoys spending time with his partner, family, and their three pugs, going to the gym, and reading fantasy novels. After completing his BA in Child and Adolescent Development, he will continue his studies at SJSU in the Teacher Education program, working toward his MA in Teaching, while continuing work with the Queer Hope Institute.

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 Connie L. Lurie College of Education is light blue.

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!