Processional
Announcement of the Commencement
Monica Serna, Advisor, Engineering Student Success Center
National Anthem
Julianne Citino, ’22 Music Education
Welcome
Sheryl Ehrman, Don Beall Dean, Charles W. Davidson College of Engineering
Presiding
Steve Perez, Interim President
Congratulations from the SJSU Alumni Association
Chrissy Chang, '96 Kinesiology, President, Alumni Association Board of Directors
Commencement Address
Bill Mazotti, ’84 Chemical Engineering
Presentation of Candidates
Vincent J. Del Casino Jr., Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Sheryl Ehrman, Dean, Charles W. Davidson College of Engineering
Conferring of Degrees
Steve Perez, President
Alma Mater
“Hail, Spartans, Hail”
Recessional
Bill Mazotti, ’84 Chemical Engineering
Bill Mazotti received his bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from San José State University in 1984, and served as our local chapter president of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers during his senior year. He holds a master of science degree in engineering management from Santa Clara University. Mazotti has over 35 years of experience in semiconductor products and processes along with systems development. Prior to retiring into a consulting role, he served as chief operating officer and senior vice president of global research and development at the Isola Group. Previously, he held the vice president position at Altera in packaging research and development, operations and quality. He also served as executive sponsor of Altera's Society of Women Engineers, and was Intel's sole nomination for the Rodney D. Chipp Award in 2016 for his work in mentoring women in engineering. Mazotti holds 26 patents in optical transceiver packaging and testing.
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 color for the Davidson College of Engineering is orange.
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 (right photo). She found inspiration for the design in both SJSU history and the paths students take to reach graduation.
