CSUN Announces Graduation Speakers
Cal State Northridge has scheduled a full slate of commencement speakers for its June graduation ceremonies, drawing from the fields of business, humanitarianism, entertainment, politics and mathematics.
About 6,900 students will receive CSUN degrees next month.
Outgoing President Blenda J. Wilson will deliver the final commencement address.
“As this is my last commencement as president of California State University, Northridge, it is very special to me,” Wilson said in a prepared statement. “It will be an opportunity for me to express my pride in this remarkable university community.”
The clout and variety of the speakers is a testament to Wilson’s reputation as a national education leader. After seven years at CSUN’s helm, Wilson recently announced she would leave in June to head the Nellie Mae Foundation, an educational reform organization based in Massachusetts.
Scheduled speakers include:
* Dean R. Hirsch, president of the Christian humanitarian agency World Vision International. He will address the College of Health and Human Development at 8 a.m. June 2 on the Oviatt Lawn.
* Robert C. Goetz, vice president of engineering for Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. He will speak to engineering and computer science graduates at 4 p.m. June 2 at the University Club.
* Disney animation producer Don Hahn, a CSUN alum whose production credits include “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Lion King.” He will address the College of Arts, Media and Communication at 6:30 p.m. June 2 on the Oviatt Lawn.
* J.D. Power III, head of the global marketing firm J.D. Power and Associates. Power will address CSUN’s business school graduates at 8 a.m. June 3 on the Oviatt Lawn.
* Mary Ellen Rudin, an emeritus professor from the University of Wisconsin. Rudin, an internationally recognized mathematician, will address the College of Science and Mathematics at 4 p.m. June 3 at the University Club.
* Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa, who will address the College of Humanities at 6:30 p.m. June 3 on the Oviatt Lawn.
* Wilson, who will address College of Education graduates at 4 p.m. June 4 at the University Club.
The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences will not have a formal commencement speaker but will hold its ceremony at 8 a.m. June 4 on the Oviatt Lawn.
CSUN will also present honorary doctorates to Powers and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson, author of “Fences” and “The Piano Lesson.”
