CSUSB Closes Out 50th Anniversary with Graduation

SAN BERNARDINO >> Cal State San Bernardino capped its year-long 50th anniversary celebration with commencement ceremonies on June 16 and 18, where more than 2,400 students participated. The ceremonies, which recognized outstanding undergraduate and graduate students who excelled in their studies, also featured the awarding of two honorary doctorates of humane letters to philanthropists Mark and Lori Edwards during the College of Natural Sciences graduation on June 18. The first of the graduation ceremonies was held on Thursday, June 16, for the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus, where more than 170 students were in cap and gown. The PDC ceremony was at 6 p.m. at The Show at the Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Rancho Mirage. During the PDC graduation, special awards were given to Magdalena Martinez of Palm Desert, who received her bachelor’s degree in graphic design and marketing, for outstanding undergraduate student; and Frank Uribe, also of Palm Desert, who received his blended bachelor’s and master’s degree in accounting, for Outstanding Graduate Student. CSUSB graduation ceremonies then moved west on Saturday, June 18, when its five colleges celebrated at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario. This is the second year CSUSB held its June graduation ceremonies at Citizens Business Bank Arena. The university moved to the Ontario arena due to the increasing number of graduates and their guests at the university’s Coussoulis Arena. The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences kicked off the day’s ceremonies at 8 a.m. with the largest number of graduates; about 865 students participated. The college honored Jason B. Alipio of Eastvale, who graduated with a B.A. in psychology, as the outstanding undergraduate, and Ashley M. Araiza of Indio, who graduated with a M.A. in psychology, as the outstanding graduate student. The College of Business and Public Administration held the next ceremony at noon with about 480 students participating. The college honored Jocelyn Cannon of San Bernardino, who graduated with a B.A. in business administration, as the outstanding undergraduate; and Eric Doucette of Riverside, who graduated with an MBA in management, as the outstanding graduate student. At 4 p.m., the College of Natural Sciences graduated about 475 students. The college honored Nicole Sauls of Rancho Cucamonga, who graduated with a B.S. in kinesiology, as the outstanding undergraduate; Alicia Davis of Ontario, who graduated with an M.S. in biology, as the outstanding graduate student; and Eldon Heaston of Claremont, who has a B.S. in health science and human ecology, as the outstanding alumni. The college also bestowed honorary doctorates of humane letters on philanthropists Mark and Lori Edwards, who have opened their hearts and supported at-risk youth, specifically through CSUSB’s Renaissance Scholars Educational Opportunity Program. The program provides emancipated foster youth with educational experiences and a nurturing environment that can afford them the opportunity to obtain a college degree. The College of Arts and Letters and the College of Education held the final ceremony at 8 p.m., where more than 450 students participated. The College of Arts and Letters honored April Baca of Colton, who graduated with a B.A. in art, as the outstanding undergraduate student; and Guadalupe Rincon of Riverside, who graduated with an M.A. in English, as the outstanding graduate student. The College of Education honored Lisa Green of Corona, who graduated with an M.S. in counseling and a credential in pupil services, as the outstanding graduate student; and Courtney Doussett, of Palm Springs, who graduated with an Ed.D. in educational leadership, as the outstanding doctoral student.