Stanislaus State concluded its 65th Commencement on Friday, May 30, with an energizing ceremony honoring graduates from the College of Business Administration in the University Amphitheater. On the final morning of Commencement week, spirits were high as families, friends, faculty and other guests filled the venue in support of the Class of 2025.
Excited cheers and steady waves of applause echoed through the Amphitheatre as graduates earning degrees in business administration — with concentrations ranging from accounting and finance to marketing, management, computer information systems and more — crossed the stage, marking a milestone that reflected years of sacrifice, growth and determination.
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For many, the day symbolized the beginning of a new chapter — one shaped by courageous leadership, responsible innovation and a deep commitment to community.
The College of Business Administration celebrated 462 undergraduate and graduate degree candidates, joining the more than 3,000 degree and credential recipients recognized throughout the week. Across four ceremonies, more than 20,000 guests attended in-person, and thousands more joined the livestream to celebrate the occasion.
In her remarks, President Britt Rios-Ellis praised graduates for their adaptability and vision.
“It’s my greatest privilege to honor you today,” she said. “When we look at you, we see the reason that we do what we do. Every graduate today reflects a potential game changer in a world that is highly in need of compassion, human intelligence and transformation.”
Rios-Ellis acknowledged the significance of the day, noting that nearly 75% of the graduates were the first in their families to earn a college degree, calling their accomplishment “a powerful testament to your perseverance, your determination and your vision.”
“Today you stand on the dreams and aspirations of your ancestors, and you are in excellent company,” she said. “You come from across the Central Valley — from Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties — and your journeys stretch across the globe, from India and Nepal to Mexico and the Philippines.”
She also commended graduates for stepping boldly into the world of business and choosing a path rooted in ethics, equity and innovation.
“You are the builders of a new America — one where business drives opportunity, equity and renewable transformation. Your presence on this campus left Stan State an even better University. You enriched our classrooms, our conversations and our understanding of what it means to serve and to lead.”
Student speaker Tiare Rachelle Danby of Merced, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, reminded her fellow graduates that this milestone marks a beginning, not an end.
“We stand at one of the most significant moments of our lives — our Commencement,” she said. “But as we step off this familiar campus and into the vast unknown, we must remember that commencement is not a destination, but a launchpad.”
Danby reflected on the courage required to apply the lessons learned at Stan State: “We’ve learned to be good students, but now we must learn to be bold adventurers. We’ve mastered the art of analysis, but now we must embrace the art of action.”
ASI President Miranda Gonzalez of Hilmar offered a message grounded in Stan State’s motto: Vox, Veritas, Vita — Voice, Truth, Life.
“Today is more than just a ceremony. It is the culmination of effort, sacrifice and growth,” Gonzalez said. “Our voices are powerful tools. They can lift others up, challenge injustice and shape the future.
“We learned that truth is not just something we find, it’s something that we commit to, even when it’s complicated or uncomfortable, it’s still worth pursuing.”
Gonzalez closed her remarks with a message of hope and purpose.
“This degree is more than a piece of paper, it’s a launching point into a life of meaning, impact and growth.”
The College of Business Administration ceremony followed three days of celebrations honoring Stanislaus State’s other academic colleges. Commencement week began Tuesday with the College of Science, continued Wednesday with the College of the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, and recognized graduates from the College of Education, Kinesiology and Social Work on Thursday.
As with the previous ceremonies, the morning concluded with President Rios-Ellis returning to the podium to officially confer undergraduate and master’s degrees. As the confetti cannons erupted in a burst of red and gold streamers, cheers rang out — a fitting close to a week of pride, perseverance and celebration.
Rios-Ellis offered a message of gratitude and purpose for the Class of 2025:
“Graduates, we are so grateful that we have had the opportunity to be a part of your journey and that you chose Stan State to earn your degrees,” she said. “There is one thing that is undeniably certain: When Stan State thrives, so does the Central Valley.”
