Rain showers were accompanied by a sense of fresh energy at the University Amphitheatre on Thursday, May 28, as Stanislaus State celebrated Class of 2026 graduates from the College of Education, Kinesiology and Social Work (COEKSW) during the University’s third ceremony of Commencement week.
A sea of umbrellas filled the outdoor venue as family members, friends, mentors and other well-wishers cheered during the processional. Graduates smiled and waved as they made their way to their seats, and viewers watched from around the world via livestream on YouTube, with Spanish-language interpreters providing live interpretation.
In his opening remarks, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Rich Ogle acknowledged the rainy morning while keeping the focus on graduates and the milestone they had reached.
“Graduates, the day you’ve envisioned, worked for, and earned is finally here,” Ogle said. “Look around you. Let this moment settle in — this moment where we are surrounded by two of our most precious resources in the Central Valley: this beautiful rain and every one of you.”
The COEKSW ceremony honored graduates prepared to become educators, counselors, social workers, health and wellness professionals, advocates and community leaders. Nearly 72 percent of the college’s graduates are the first in their families to earn a degree. More than half are from Stanislaus County, with others representing communities across California and around the world, including Mexico, Colombia, Egypt and Ghana. Graduates ranged in age from 20 to 60 years old.
Stan State President Britt Rios-Ellis celebrated the graduates’ achievements as both personal and generational.
“Today, you stand on the dreams and aspirations of your ancestors and make no mistake — your ancestors knew how to dream big,” Rios-Ellis said. “You are their wildest dreams realized.
“This year, especially this ceremony, has reminded us of what makes Stan State so special — the determination, the talent, the strength and the cultural value of our students,” Rios-Ellis said. “We know that life doesn’t stop when you come to college. Many of you have balanced work, family responsibilities and personal challenges while pursuing your degree, and through it all, you persevered.”
Student Speaker Urges Graduates to Lead with Love
Student speaker Jazmine Alexis Ramirez, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Ethnic Studies and Liberal Studies with a concentration in Spanish, centered her address on leading with love, especially in disciplines rooted in service to others.
“What I am most appreciative of is knowing that these fields will be filled with people who love,” Ramirez said. “We use this word so very often; we say we love things, people, ideas, all the time. But what does it mean to love in our fields of study, in our future careers? Does love even play a part in what we do? As a future educator, I know it does.”
Ramirez told her classmates that love would be part of what sustained them in the work ahead.
“We are giving of our time, our effort, our resources to help others,” Ramirez said. “We are courageously loving, entering a space rooted in service to others, and doing so with grace and humility.”
She urged graduates not to let obstacles diminish their compassion or sense of purpose.
Neevada Slaiwah Al Kuba, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with a concentration in communication, was recognized with the Metzger-Geiger Award, presented to the graduating student with the highest undergraduate grade point average based solely on coursework completed at Stanislaus State.
Stanislaus State concludes its 66th Commencement on Friday, May 29, with the ceremony for the College of Business Administration. Ceremony details and livestream links are available on the Commencement website.
