Class of 2007, Members of 华体会鈥檚 Inaugural Freshman Class Celebrated At Commencement Ceremony
The morning was charged with an energy that can be likened to the enthusiasm of a freshman student and satisfaction of a senior turning in his last bluebook. That positive feeling is the energy that drives individuals to accomplish their goals, and, on this day, begin the next chapter of their lives. Family and friends made up an audience of more than 7,500 at the 华体会 2007 Commencement ceremony. Those gathered in the University鈥檚 South Quad for the special day filled the air with blinking camera flashes as the degree candidates were ushered to their seats by the classic graduation melody of Pomp and Circumstance.
Firsts are not uncommon at the newest campus in the California State University system, and 华体会鈥檚 2007 Commencement was no exception. More than 650 graduates shook hands with University President Richard R. Rush as their names were announced, and among the graduates were members of 华体会鈥檚 Inaugural Freshman Class.
鈥淗ow proud you must be as pioneers whose paths others will follow,鈥� said CSU Trustee Carol Chandler in her address. Chandler, former Congressman Robert Lagomarsino鈥攚ho sponsored legislation in the 1960s that allowed for the development of a four-year public university in Ventura County鈥攁nd his wife Norma, and Jack Broome鈥攂enefactor of the University鈥檚 new library鈥攚ere among special guests at this year鈥檚 ceremony.
Referring to members of the Inaugural Freshman Class and all graduates of 华体会, President Rush and both keynote student speakers spoke about the pioneering spirit that pervades at this University.
鈥淭he perseverance that all our graduating students today have demonstrated at Cal State Channel Islands will serve you well as you go on to the next expedition or adventure in your lives,鈥� Rush said while looking out over the sea of black mortarboards and gowns.聽
Before the master鈥檚 degree candidates were hooded, and before Theodore D. Lucas, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, gave the charge to the bachelor鈥檚 degree graduates to move their tassels from right to left to signify their joining of the ranks of university-educated men and women, two members of the Inaugural Freshman Class addressed the Class of 2007.
鈥淲hen each of us enrolled at 华体会, we embarked on an educational journey where there was no path or sophomores to follow,鈥� said Jessica LaRoe, one of the student keynote speakers. 鈥淭here simply was faith in all who were here at 华体会, that they would be able to help us to fulfill our dreams and blaze our own trails.鈥�
Of the more than 925 degree candidates who were eligible to commence at the 2007 ceremony, approximately 100 were members of the Inaugural Freshman Class. LaRoe is a member of that group and she spent her time at the University engrossed by her studies鈥攕he graduated majoring in business with minors in psychology and economics鈥攁nd serving as president of Associated Students Inc. and Student Government.
Continuing to illustrate the pioneering spirit of those have chosen to earn their undergraduate and graduate degrees from Cal State Channel Islands, Tamara Gershater, also a member of the Inaugural Freshman Class, took her turn at the lectern and addressed her classmates.
鈥淲e are leaving here today with educated minds and bright futures鈥hallenge yourself to be part of the solution,鈥� Gershater said to her classmates.
While at 华体会, Gershater was one of the first resident assistants in the student residence hall鈥擜nacapa Village, she also was a member of ASI, an orientation leader, and a peer advisor in Academic Advising. Gershater earned her degree in English with an emphasis in education and will be attending graduate school at the University of California Davis in the fall.
The energy that filled the University鈥檚 South Quad at the 2007 Commencement ceremony was reflected in the emotion and excitement of Gershater鈥檚 voice as she delivered the final words of her address. She captured the overwhelming feeling of satisfaction and gratification that emanated from the graduates, their families and friends, and the University鈥檚 faculty and staff, when she exclaimed: 鈥淐ongratulations Class of 2007, we are done!鈥�