TURLOCK, Calif — California State University, Stanislaus is proud to announce this year’s honorary doctorate recipients, which will be conferred during the University's 65th Commencement ceremonies scheduled to take place May 27-30 at the main campus in Turlock.
The California State University and Stanislaus State will honor Salvador and José Hernández by conferring them both with honorary doctorates. It is the second time in CSU history a father and son have been conferred as honorary doctorate recipients.
José Hernández, who was the first former migrant farm worker to become a NASA astronaut, will be conferred the honorary Doctor of Science Tuesday, May 27, at the ceremony honoring the graduates from the College of Science. On Wednesday, May 28, José Hernández will join President Britt Rios-Ellis in bestowing an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters on his father, Salvador Hernández.
Both ceremonies will begin at 8 a.m. and will take place in the University’s Amphitheater. The Hernández father and son duo are the first Latino recipients of an honorary degree at Stan State.
Details regarding Stanislaus State’s 2025 Commencement ceremonies are available on the University’s Commencement website.
The honorary doctorate is the highest honor conferred by the CSU Board of Trustees and Stanislaus State. To be considered, honorees must have achieved excellence in areas that embody the CSU’s ideals and objectives, performed meritorious and outstanding service or their life’s achievements serve as an example of the CSU’s aspirations.
“We are thrilled to honor Salvador and José Hernández — an incredible father and son whose journeys reflect the lived experiences of so many of our students and their families,” said Stanislaus State President Britt Rios-Ellis. “Growing up in Stockton, José worked alongside his parents in the fields of the Central Valley, where Salvador’s unyielding support and belief in his son’s dreams paved the way for him to reach unimaginable heights — literally and figuratively.
“Their path — from the fields to business leadership and to the stars — is a testament to resilience, determination and the power of education. José represents his ancestors’ wildest dreams, proving that with perseverance and opportunity, and fueled by family, anything is possible. As we celebrate Stan State’s 65th Commencement, we are proud to recognize the Hernándezes’ everlasting commitment to supporting others, opening doors and inspiring generations to come.
“The father-son dynamic duo represents what strong family ties, steadfast love and commitment, and a strong dose of the sueño Americano can mean for a family’s success,” Rios-Ellis said. “We are so proud to honor the legacy of generations and the recipe that made the Hernandez father and son duo legendary!”
About the Honorees
From Michoacán to Stockton and from the fields to the stars, the life story of the dynamic father-son duo Salvador and José Hernández exemplifies what dreams can catalyze when fortified with perseverance, education and familismo. Their indomitable spirit and remarkable journey embody the transformative values of resilience, opportunity and community rendering them exemplary recipients of the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters and Honorary Doctor of Science, respectively.
Salvador Hernández, a farmworker who immigrated to the U.S. as a teenager from Michoacán, Mexico, symbolizes the unwavering spirit of determination. Despite limited access to formal schooling, Salvador instilled in his children a steadfast belief in his receta (recipe for success) — a life guide emphasizing vision, preparation and perseverance — became the foundation for his family’s incredible legacy.
Salvador’s and his family’s sacrifices have left an enduring impact on the countless individuals he and José continue to inspire. His values resonate deeply with the mission of Stan State, a Hispanic-Serving Institution dedicated to expanding access to higher education, particularly for first-generation students and their families within the Central Valley. After José spent more than a decade at NASA, he opened his own aerospace engineering consulting firm, wrote three books and became a motivational speaker. He and his father also worked to bring their vineyard, Tierra Luna, to international acclaim. The award-winning Tierra Luna wines are now recognized internationally and have become an increasing point of pride throughout Central California.
José Hernández’s journey, undergirded by his father’s enduring support, has become a beacon of inspiration for aspiring students and professionals around the world. With humble beginnings as a migrant farm working family, José overcame significant barriers, including learning English at age 12, to achieve extraordinary accomplishments.
A first-generation college graduate, José earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering, co-developed groundbreaking mammography technology and persevered through 11 rejections before achieving his dream of becoming a NASA mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery STS-128 in 2009. By following Salvador’s recipe, José became the first migrant farmworker to become an astronaut.
After retiring from NASA, José established the Reaching for the Stars Foundation with a mission to inspire youth to find passion in STEM Education, establish a family commitment to education and develop a support network through community engagement. In 2023, the award-winning film “A Million Miles Away” starring Michael Peña was released depicting José and Salvador’s journey. The film will be shown on campus during National Hispanic Heritage Month later this year.
