CSUN Graduates Say Goodbye to Ventura Campus

Sitting in the center of the state’s newest four-year university, hundreds of local Cal State Northridge students graduated to alumni status Friday.

For the second year, graduates of CSUN’s Ventura campus traveled to Camarillo to receive their bachelor or master’s degrees.

But next year they won’t have to make the trip. Beginning this fall, local CSUN students will attend classes in Camarillo at the future Cal State Channel Islands campus.

“This is the last time that the off-site campus of Cal State Northridge at Ventura will have to travel from Ventura to its own graduation,” said Handel Evans, president of Cal State Channel Islands.

Hundreds of graduating students clapped and cheered during the two-hour ceremony, which included a string of traditional commencement speeches.

Officials praised the graduates for their achievements and asked them to take what they have learned and contribute to the county.

“If the economy of Ventura County is going to grow, it will be because persons like yourself are able to use your education,” said Blenda J. Wilson, CSUN’s outgoing president.

During his keynote address, state Education Secretary Gary K. Hart discussed the increasingly important role public education is playing in California. He congratulated the 100 students who received teaching credentials Friday and encouraged them to hold their own students to high standards.

“Let me extend my heartiest congratulations,” Hart said. “You have worked hard and overcome many obstacles.”

After each of the participants marched across the stage, they turned their tassels from the right to the left, indicating they were now graduates. A few tossed their caps into the air as everyone began to forget about all the obstacles. Friends snapped pictures and family members showered graduates with flowers and hugs.

“I can’t believe I’m here,” said Lupe Quezada of Ventura, who earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies. “It’s wonderful to get finished.”

Jaime Beltran of Oxnard, who was one of the more than 750 students to complete their course work, received a congratulatory kiss from his wife and 11-month-old daughter. The 31-year-old elementary school teacher has spent the past two years working toward a master’s degree. As the family posed for pictures, the hours of paper writing, group projects and studying seemed far removed.

“It’s taken a toll on our lives but we’re extremely proud,” Beltran’s wife, Leticia, said.

Jaime’s brother, Carlos Beltran, who earned a teaching credential, shared his family’s sense of relief.

While earning his credential, Carlos too had to keep up with work and family duties.

“It’s a rewarding day for me,” said Carlos, 39. “You think that you’re never going to make it but you always do.”

That is the attitude Raul Cervantes of Santa Paula had when he immigrated to the United States from Mexico nearly 50 years ago. But Cervantes came to America knowing what he wanted.

“No matter how long it would take, my plan was to have my own business--not to be rich, just to be comfortable--and to give education to my kids,” said Cervantes, 70. “That’s what I did.”

He grinned as he waited to see granddaughter Liz Rico walk across the stage to receive her diploma.

Standing on the Channel Islands campus was the icing on the cake for Cervantes, who worked for years with scores of other county residents to bring a four-year university to the area.

Classes at Channel Islands campus are expected to begin in 2002. Until then, the facility will be used by CSUN.

“We’ve been pushing for this because we have to prepare our kids for the future,” Cervantes said. “The only thing we can hand down to them is education.”