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Angel Stadium in Anaheim was transformed into a celebratory scene of black and gold, pageantry, music, accolades and fireworks as more than 10,100 students — plus family, friends, faculty and staff — attended Cal State Long Beach’s Commencement during five days of ceremonies, May 18-22.

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The festivities — recognizing the completion of undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as various credentials — started Sunday with the College of Education, and concluded Thursday with the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.

Commencement 2025 also marked the final such ceremony under the 11-year leadership of President Jane Close Conoley, who announced in November 2024 that she would be retiring before the start of the fall semester.

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This year’s Commencement is also the final official event of Cal State Long Beach’s 75th anniversary celebration, which officially kicked off in September.

“I feel excited, I feel like I hit a milestone, and I feel like I made my parents proud, especially being the first generation” to graduate from college, said Jennyfer Abigail Portillo of Compton, who is getting her bachelor’s degree in sociology. “I’m a little nervous as well. I’m really proud knowing that my parents came here (from El Salvador). I feel like I can live their dream. They want the best for me. I feel like I gave them that gift of finally seeing their child complete college.”

About her ������ experience, Portillo said, “Everybody was welcoming. I love all my professors. They treated me well. They actually cared for my education and provided help whenever I needed it.” 

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Alan Trieu is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business management. “I feel accomplished; it’s a big weight off my shoulders,” he said. “I’m happy to be surrounded by friends and family; I feel a lot of support by people I love. I’m a first-generation college student, so I’ve done something my family has not. The venue is really nice; it was all very well put together.”

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Brett Mizelle, chair of the and professor of history, said, “It feels terrific, especially for this group, which missed so much because of the lingering effects of COVID and all of those disruptions. I have some students graduating today who didn’t have a high school graduation.

“These students have overcome a lot, in some ways, more than most of our students have had to deal with, in terms of finally making it to the stage.”

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Dressed in black caps and gowns, and in many cases, colorful stoles, leis and other decorations and regalia, the graduating students took turns lining up, walked across a large stage that was constructed around second base of the baseball field, and heard their names being announced as they were broadcast and recognized on video screens overhead.

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“I’m very excited and very happy,” said Ian Flores of Lomita, who is graduating with a degree in supply chain management. “I finally made it. It was lots of studying, late nights, sacrificing, some parties, but it was worth it in the end. I definitely feel like I have a good foundation to build upon for my future, and I’m just excited to start that next step.”

During a taped message broadcast during every Commencement ceremony, President Conoley said, “In future times, I hope you remember these moments walking the stage as evidence that anything is possible in your life. You may not be there yet, but with hard work and a little luck, you will accomplish your dreams.”

In the days and weeks prior to Commencement, several Cultural Graduation Celebrations were held on campus, recognizing communities such as American Indian, Black/Pan-African, Latine, Lavender (LGBTQ+) and various Asian and Pacific Islander students.

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Jack Haslett of Mission Viejo is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He hopes to one day become a sportswriter. “I had a blast. I had a great experience,” he said. “There’s a lot of emotions. I’m happy and proud of my accomplishments. We started college when COVID happened. There’s been a lot of adversity. But this is such an amazing campus community.”

Alina Ti of Los Alamitos is getting her bachelor’s degree in communication studies. “Graduating from Cal State Long Beach feels surreal,” she said. “I’m so proud to be a part of a community that pushed me to grow, supported my creativity and gave me opportunities I never could have even imagined. I’ve had such a great time these past four years, and I can't believe it's over already. I’m so grateful for the experiences, the people I’ve met and everything I’ve learned along the way. Go Beach!” 

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