Loading

College of Social Sciences San José State University

Commencement Program

December 16, 2022 9:30 a.m. Provident Credit Union Event Center — at San José State University

Processional

Student Banner Bearers

  • Gregorio Castorena-Silva, ’22 Communication Studies
  • Sarah Minhas, ’22 Sociology

Announcement of the Commencement

Jonathan Gomez, Assistant Professor, Chicana and Chicano Studies

National Anthem

Kaelyn Howard, ’23 Music Education

Brass Ensemble:

  • Andrew Thomas, ’23 Music Education
  • Angel Tovar, Music Education
  • Brandon Tavares, ’23 Music Education
  • Keefe Ismael, ’23 Performance
  • Keenan Lewis, Jazz Studies
  • Marianna Pallas, Music
  • Rhys Jones, Music Education
  • Taiki Cocks, Performance
  • Alejandro Gallo, Music Education
  • Yuki Abe, Performance

Welcome

Heather Lattimer, Interim Dean, College of Social Sciences

Presiding

Steve Perez, Interim President

Congratulations from the SJSU Alumni Association

Chrissy Chang, ’96 Kinesiology, President, Alumni Association Board of Directors

Honorary Degree

Agnieszka Winkler, ’71 MA History

Student Commencement Speaker

Brianna Rivera, ‘22 BA Political Science

Presentation of Candidates

Vincent J. Del Casino, Jr. Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Heather Lattimer, Interim Dean, College of Social Sciences

Conferring of Degrees

Steve Perez, Interim President

Alma Mater

“Hail, Spartans, Hail”

Recessional

Agnieszka Winkler, '71 MA History

Agnieszka Winkler’s professional and board experience with start-up, mid cap and Fortune 500 companies has allowed her to contribute on such issues as new product/market development, technology development and introduction, channel development, streamlining operations through technology, operationalizing the brand, monetizing intellectual capital, mergers and acquisitions, ongoing strategic planning and corporate governance.

She currently serves on the board of Virco, the board of trustees of Santa Clara University and the African Diaspora Network. She chairs the board of directors of the Jesuit School of Theology and serves as president of the board of Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County.

She has served on numerous public and private company boards such as SuperCuts, RenoAir, The Cheesecake Factory and Intertel. Winkler also sat on the board of Ascension, Ascension Network, Iplocks, TeamToolz and Winkler Advertising.

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 colors for the College of Social Sciences is cream.

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.

Hail, Spartans, Hail!

Hail, Spartans, Hail! — Hail, gold, blue and white!
We pledge our hearts and hands to keep thy colors ever bright.
Forward we go! We will not fail!
Sing to our Alma Mater,
Hail! Hail! Hail!