丹尼尔·威尔逊

2023年5月23日

The familiar purple beam that has lighted many a night sky over Golden 1 Center was absent, but smiles from thousands of green and gold-clad graduates shone bright during this year’s 萨克拉门托 State 毕业典礼, May 19-21.

市中心的体育馆是萨克拉门托国王队（萨克拉门托 Kings）的主场，在三天内举办了七场典礼，创纪录地接待了9574名合格的毕业生。 成千上万的参与者在拥挤的看台上欢呼着穿过舞台，标志着一段旅程的结束和另一段旅程的开始。

This year’s ceremonies also marked the curtain call for President Robert S. Nelsen, 谁将在七月退休. 尼尔森一直致力于提高毕业率，入学率和获得校园资源的机会，以及振兴校园设施，并找到创新的新方法来接触学生。

“People often ask me now that I’m about to retire, ‘What do you want your legacy to be?’ ” Nelsen said during each of the ceremonies before listing accomplishments that marked his eight-year tenure, such as the 65,000 students who graduated during that time. “I want my legacy to be the Hornet Honor Code, a promise of a civil and caring campus where all feel at home.”

At the end of the final ceremony Sunday morning, Nelsen’s wife, Jody, joined him on stage.

“For 48 years, this woman has been by my side,” Nelsen said tearfully. “She has supported me, and she has supported you. I could never have done this job without her, and I could never have done this job without the faculty (and staff).”

He signed off by saying “P Nelly out,” referring to an affectionate nickname given to him by students. He then shouted “Stingers Up!” four times while again fighting back tears as “Pomp and Circumstance” played and the final procession of students began.

Before each ceremony, a kickoff “Grad Jam” with a DJ and music, emcee, and giveaways greeted attendees as students found their seats on the arena floor and friends and family made their way into the stands.

Graduates adorned their mortarboards with creative and colorful decorations and phrases, such as “I Mastered It! MBA,” “I’ve been Accounting Down the Days,” and “Five Years Later…” in reference to a popular “SpongeBob SquarePants” meme.

While lined up near the stage, awaiting the big walk, one graduate shouted, “I’m just soaking it in!” to his family in the bleachers. 其他人则在自拍，整理衣服和帽子，并在人群中接受亲人送来的新鲜花环。

“It was a long time coming,” said Sierra Raymond, an English major who graduated in a cap decorated with sunflowers and the words “On to the next chapter.”

“To go through the whole pandemic and stuff, it’s really crazy to see so many people I know graduate and not get this … it feels really special to have this,” she said. “I’m the first of my parents’ kids to graduate. It’s a big moment, not only for me but for my family, and I’m really happy to be here.”

家长和其他与会者分享了这种美好的感觉。

Mindy Lareze said her 23-year-old daughter, who worked and attended college full time, graduated with a degree in Fine Arts and wants to pursue a master’s degree and teach at the college level.

“She was juggling a lot, and she’s done that continuously throughout the process,” Lareze said. “I can’t say enough about her. I’m so proud. She’s the most talented person I know.”

Among graduates were seven Deans’ Awards recipients, recognizing the top students in each academic college. 其中两名学生还获得了总统荣誉勋章。

Two 荣誉博士学位 were given to individuals who have demonstrated excellence in society, and President’s Medal for Distinguished Service awards recognized two community members who provide outstanding service to the region.

For the first time, 囊状态 bestowed honorary bachelor’s degrees on two individuals, Stephen Googooian and Aaron Nevin Rehman. 拉赫曼是一名生物系学生，2013年死于一场车祸。 他的家人，包括兄弟姐妹泽维尔（Xavier）和珍妮特（Jeanette）今年都获得了生物学学位，接受了他的死后学位。

Googooian, a History student who was badly hurt in an automobile accident, accepted an honorary bachelor’s degree.

Hanna Archibasova, who graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s in Nursing, came to the United States by herself as a refugee from Ukraine, speaking little English. 为了与医疗保健中的不平等现象作斗争，她决定成为一名护士。

“Hanna, keep following your dreams,” said College of Health and Human Services Dean Mary Maguire during the HHS ceremony May 20. “You are an inspiration to all of us.”

在领奖台上发言时，阿奇巴索娃对她的同龄人说了鼓励和反思的话。

“Let me tell you a little secret,” she said. “Dreams can come true. I want to say thank you for not giving up on your dreams and persevering in your goals.”

Berenice Ledesma毕业于西班牙语专业，她说她想成为一名翻译。

“In order to smile, you have to cry first. I cried a lot,” she said. “There were family problems, and then school was a little bit hard, but I’m here now.”

Yutthachat Thao, who graduated with a master’s degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, also highlighted the importance of having a strong support system.

“There’s been many times where I (wanted) to give up, but with the help of my family, my friends, (and) professors, they kind of (helped) me push through all of this, and now that I’m here, it feels great,” he said. “This is one of the most amazing things I’ve ever felt.”

资深作家辛西娅·休伯特和詹妮弗·k·森田对本文也有贡献。

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