COMMENCEMENT 1987

California State University, Los Angeles, held its 40th anniversary commencement Saturday at the University Athletic Stadium. Norman Cousins, author, lecturer and leader in the field of psychoneuroimmunology, spoke on “Intangibles in Medicine: The Power of the Mind.” He said: “The ability of the human brain to perceive itself is its most spectacular achievement. In the very act of comprehending itself, the brain is enhanced and augmented. Knowledge becomes evolution and evolution becomes knowledge. . . . The next great advance in human evolution may be represented by the ability of humans working with a new understanding of brain chemistry to preside over their own beings.”

Degrees: About 3,900 diplomas, including 874 graduate degrees.

Other Graduations:

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, awarded 2,556 undergraduate and 312 graduate degrees Saturday at its 31st commencement. Dr. Terrel H. Bell, professor of educational administration at the University of Utah and former U.S. secretary of education, spoke on “Excellence in Education.” He said: “As advanced as our society is today, we really are not educating our people as effectively as we should and could.”