Vol. III, No. 16
An estimated 6,908 students are candidates to receive
diplomas-some 5,834 for bachelors and 1,074 for masters in
about 50 fields-in a series of ceremonies beginning Tuesday,
June 1, with the university's Honors Convocation.
"I am extremely proud of our 1999 graduates," said CSUN
President Blenda J. Wilson. "They have worked very hard to
reach this pinnacle, and they now begin a new phase of their
lives.
"Many of our students have overcome great obstacles to
complete their studies, and I am confident that they have the
knowledge and skills to succeed and contribute to their
communities as they lead us into the 21st century," Wilson
added.
"As this is my last commencement as president of Cal State
Northridge, it is very special to me," Wilson said. "It will
be an opportunity for me to express my pride in this
remarkable university community."
Wilson recently announced she was stepping down as CSUN
president to become the first president and CEO of the Nellie
Mae Foundation. The New England-based organization works to
promote quality education in that region, particularly for
under-served groups.
The CSUN graduation celebration begins Tuesday, June 1, with
the university-wide Honors Convocation. That will be held at
6 p.m. at the University Club, with Wilson as the speaker.
Then, individual college graduation ceremonies will continue
daily through Friday, June 4.
The college graduation ceremonies are as follows:
Hirsch has negotiated with leaders around the world to
further the Christian humanitarian agency's efforts in
working with the poor and oppressed to seek justice and
promote human transformation through health, development
activities and emergency relief.
Prior to joining Lockheed, Goetz was with the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration for 29 years in a
variety of positions, including deputy center director at
NASA's Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Hahn, a CSUN alum, began his career in animation with The
Walt Disney Studios in 1976 with his work on "Pete's Dragon."
Since then, his work has included "The Black Cauldron," "The
Great Mouse Detective," and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame."
The college also will present an honorary doctorate of fine
arts to internationally acclaimed playwright August Wilson,
whose works include "The Piano Lesson" and "Fences," which
won the Pulitzer Prize, "Joe Turner's Come and Gone," "Ma
Rainey's Black Bottom," and "Jitney."
J.D. Power and Associates is one of the world's leading
marketing information firms. Its clients include virtually
every automobile manufacturer and importer serving the United
States market. The firm has done research projects in a
variety of industries including airline, hotel, car rental,
telecommunications, credit care/financial and health care.
Powers also will be presented with a honorary doctorate in
humane letters.
Rudin has had a long and distinguished career at the
University of Wisconsin, where she is currently an emeritus
professor of mathematics. Her primary research area is set-
theoretic topology, and she has lectured around the world on
the subject. She is a fellow of both the American Academy of
Arts and Sciences and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, and
is the recipient of four honorary doctorates and several
prestigious awards.
Villaraigosa began as a union organizer and quickly became
president of the American Federation of Government Employees,
Local 3230. He was elected to the Assembly in 1994 and became
a key player in the Democratic Party.
He has authored legislation providing health care benefits
for millions of children with no health insurance. He also is
involved in issues of public transportation, crime
prevention, drug rehabilitation programs, juvenile justice
reform and gun control.
-Carmen Ramos Chandler
Distinguished Speakers to Highlight Commencement
Assembly Speaker Villaraigosa, J.D. Power III and Disney
Producer Hahn will Address Graduates
California Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa (left), businessman
J.D. Power III and "The Lion King" producer Don Hahn (right) are
among the trailblazing community leaders slated to address
Cal State Northridge students when they graduate next month.
Health and Human Development
Dean Hirsch, president and CEO of World Vision International,
will address the College of Health and Human Development at 8
a.m. on Wednesday, June 2, on the Oviatt Lawn at the center
of the campus.
Engineering and Computer Science
Robert Goetz, vice president of engineering for Lockheed
Martin SkunkWorks, will speak to the graduates of the College
of Engineering and Computer Science at 4 p.m. on June 2 at
the University Club.
Arts, Media, and Communication
Don Hahn, producer of such Disney animation classics as
"Beauty and the Beast" and "The Lion King," will give the
commencement address to the College of Arts, Media, and
Communication at 6:30 p.m. June 2 on the Oviatt Lawn.
Business Administration and Economics
J. D. Power III, chairman of J.D. Power and Associates, will
speak to the graduates of the College of Business
Administration and Economics at 8 a.m. Thursday, June 3, on
the Oviatt Lawn.
Science and Mathematics
Mary Ellen Rudin, an internationally recognized
mathematician, will be the featured speaker at the College of
Science and Mathematics at 4 p.m. June 3 at the University
Club.
Humanities
Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa will address the
College of Humanities at 6:30 p.m. June 3 on the Oviatt Lawn.
Social and Behavioral Sciences
The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences will not have a
formal commencement speaker. Its ceremony will begin at 8
a.m. Friday, June 4, on the Oviatt Lawn.
Education
Blenda J. Wilson will address the College of Education at 4
p.m. June 4 at the University Club.
@csun.edu
May 17, 1999
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