Pomp and Circumstance
In my previous blog marking the close of the academic year, I spoke about the many challenges we faced during the past year, as well as the achievements and events that made it so memorable. However, there are also many events and rituals that occur throughout every academic year which are unique to higher education. Such customs, which can be found in other fields and institutions in society, play an important role in people’s lives by providing a sense of order and continuity. I’m sure that the subject of academic tradition and custom at Cal State Northridge will be a theme I revisit often in this blog.
Of course, there is no annual tradition better known in higher education than the one Cal State Northridge celebrates next week: commencement. As its very name suggests, commencement marks not an ending, but a symbolic beginning for almost 10,000 students who will be awarded bachelor’s and master’s degrees next week. It is truly fitting that we commemorate this new phase of our graduates’ lives in the spring, nature’s own traditional time of renewal and fresh beginnings.
With this in mind, I ask the entire campus community to join me in congratulating the Class of 2009 (many of whom are currently completing their final exams!) as they complete their studies and begin to assume their new mantle as Cal State Northridge alumni, and the community’s next generation of citizens and leaders. They have worked hard for this moment and they have been helped on this journey by all of you, as well as their families and friends. Commencement is a time to celebrate their many achievements as students here.
I hope everyone will have an opportunity to observe and attend a commencement. They are always joyful and celebratory, and a wonderful reminder of why our work at Cal State Northridge is so important.
And if you cannot attend personally, the ceremonies again will be broadcast live this year. Anyone interested in watching the ceremonies will find a link from the main page of the University website during commencement week. (Update: The direct link to commencement is here.) The full graduation schedule is available at the commencement website.
Speaking of tradition, next week the University also holds the Honored Faculty Reception. Jointly sponsored by my office and the Northridge Chapter of the California Faculty Association, this annual spring event also celebrates achievement—achievement by the faculty who, of course, provide the foundation of knowledge and teaching that drive the primary mission of the University.
While the Honored Faculty Reception recognizes and awards individual faculty members for excellence and service, the focus of the event is to formally honor the esteemed faculty members who have been conferred emeritus status by me in my role as University President on the recommendation of their faculty colleagues. Emeritus status is granted to faculty in appreciation of service to the University and their contributions to their disciplines, the academic profession, and the State of California. Emeritus status is a mark of academic distinction that formally becomes part of a faculty member’s official title and forever affirms their legacy as a distinguished member of the California State University, Northridge faculty.
I congratulate our new emeritus faculty and look forward to personally recognizing them at the Honored Faculty Reception.