June 16, 2005

More than 8,500 graduates and candidates – a record for the university
– were eligible to take part in Cal State Fullerton’s 46th annual commencement ceremonies May 28 and 29.

More than 30,000 parents, family members and friends, carrying
thousands of flowers and balloons attended the two-day festivities that began with universitywide ceremonies featuring keynote addresses by alumna and broadcast journalist Michele Ruiz (B.A. communications-radio-TV-film ’88) on Saturday, May 28, and State Sen. Dick Ackerman (R-Tustin) on Sunday, May 29.

Both speakers urged graduates to follow their passion and not to be afraid of failure.

“I know what it takes to get here to this day,” said Ruiz, who worked full time in a clerical position while she was a student. Her entry-level salary as a reporter was less than what she was making in her college job, she noted, but working as a reporter was something she felt passionate about. She also spoke in favor of “making decisions to get out of your comfort zone.”

“Keep an eye out for the unexpected opportunities,” encouraged Ackerman, a former Fullerton mayor. “Perseverance is critical to achieving your dreams."

“You’re only a failure if you stop trying,” Ruiz added.Recognized during the ceremonies was an alumnus who followed his passion and successfully
built his company from a one-man operation to one of the largest providers of business telephone systems.

On Sunday, Steven G. Mihaylo (B.A. business administration ’69), founder and CEO of Inter-Tel Inc., received an honorary doctorate of humane letters in recognition of his success as a business leader and philanthropist. He is the third alumnus to be recognized with this honor, which is conferred jointly by the campus and the California State University to acknowledge excellence and extraordinary achievement in significant areas of human endeavors.

The focus of the festivities was the students, including a record number of Guardian Scholars to graduate from the university. Begun in 1998, the program offers financial and other support to CSUF-admitted students who have left the foster care system, were wards of the court or come from similar backgrounds. This year, 11 scholars completed their degrees and are moving forward to careers and advanced degrees.

Among those in black caps and gowns was Kimberly Thompson, who was one of about 3,000 infants and children flown out of Vietnam at the end of the Vietnam War. Legally blind, she earned a master’s degree in counseling and celebrated that milestone with classmates and her husband.

Also among the celebrants were at least two sets of twins: Hasan and Hussain Ghareeb, who respectively majored in electrical and mechanical engineering; and Scott Hsieh, a biochemistry major headed for graduate school in the fall and his twin, Steven, who earned his degree in business administration.

Rudy Gharib, who is this year’s recipient of the International Understanding Award, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in the majors of political science and communications.

Three students who earned Alumni Association awards took part in the annual rite of passage: Carla Melissa Anderson, a first-generation college student from North Carolina who earned a master’s degree in American studies;
Sarah Wong-Goodrich, who is taking a summer position in a lab at Duke University prior to entering a doctoral program; and Patricia Thomas, who also will travel to Duke to pursue a doctorate after earning a bachelor’s degree in sociology and American studies.

Four other students were honored with President’s Associates Awards. Sarah Jay, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history, and April Ulloa, an English major who plans on earning a teacher credential, were honored with scholastic awards. Business administration graduate Samanaz Kapadia, a member of the board of directors for Associated Students Inc., the Honors Student Advisory Committee and the National Leadership Honors Society, was recognized for university service.

Dominick Sturz, the first CSUF student to earn a master of public health degree, was recognized with the President’s Associates Outstanding Graduate Student Award.

Also present was John Kane, the recipient of the Continuing Learning Experience Award, which is presented annually to one of the university’s oldest graduating seniors. Kane joined the Los Angeles Times as a press room manager following a tour of duty in Vietnam – and stayed 41 years. Retirement made it possible for Kane to return to college and complete a bachelor’s degree in human services.

On Friday, May 20, about 1,800 guests were on hand to see more than 200 CSUF students participate in a teacher credential ceremony.

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