'Models of excellence'

CSUB to award degrees to more than 1,300 students during fall commencement

By California State University, Bakersfield

November 18^th, 2022

California State University, Bakersfield will award life-changing degrees to 1,354 Roadrunners, spanning all four academic schools and both campuses, for the 2022 summer and fall semesters.

Graduates who elect to celebrate with friends and family will be honored by CSUB at the Fall 2022 Commencement Ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 14, at Mechanics Bank Arena in downtown Bakersfield.

“It is impossible to describe the feeling of triumph that comes with earning a college degree after years of work, study and sacrifice,” said President Lynnette Zelezny. “These graduates will continue their higher education or begin careers in the local workforce, contributing to our economy, the community’s progress and advancement, and serving as models of excellence for anyone who dares to follow a dream like they did.”

A total of 1,169 bachelor’s degrees, 183 master’s degrees and two doctoral degrees in educational leadership will be conferred for the summer and fall 2022 semesters. Of that total, 99 Roadrunners demonstrated extraordinary focus and perseverance in graduating in under four years, a cohort that signals CSUB’s progress toward on-time graduation goals, said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Vernon Harper.

“Graduation rates continue to climb, due in part to the CSU’s Graduation Initiative 2025, whose ambitious goal is to close equity gaps throughout the system, including right here in Bakersfield,” he said. “In 2018, we held our first early graduate recognition ceremony and honored about 10 students. This year, we’re close to 100. We are incredibly proud of that progress and will continue to work to see that number rise.”

Sayra Banuelos, 21, said her decision to take summer courses is allowing her to graduate early with her criminal justice degree.

“I've always had a passion for helping people,” she said. “Seeing the way the justice system has been set up, I don't think it's always fair, especially to the victims. Usually, whenever there's a crime scene, the police are there to get answers. The victim is in trauma, and they often don't know how to interact with the police. I think having someone there to help them is important."

The School of Social Sciences and Education, which houses CSUB’s innovative Teacher Education Program, will award 716 certificates, including two doctoral degrees, the most of any school. Education specialties make up the majority of the bachelor’s and master’s degrees, putting more teachers in local classrooms. However, psychology, sociology, criminal justice, kinesiology, political science, anthropology — as well as child, adolescent and family studies — also are well-represented.

The School of Business and Public Administration will confer 291 degrees, the majority of which — 202 — are bachelor’s degrees in business administration, plus another 29 master of business administration degrees. Also represented are bachelor’s degrees in economics, agricultural business, environmental resource management and master’s degrees in public administration, administration and health-care administration.

Daniel Ruiz, who works as a manager at Adventist Health Tehachapi, will earn his master’s degree in public administration. Ruiz, 39, said he’s glad that he chose to pursue an advanced degree despite the rigors of having a full-time job and being a husband and father of two.

“I loved my public administration classes. It’s kind of a small community and you have a lot of the same professors," he said. "The things you take away from what they teach you and apply in the real world — I do that on a daily basis.”

The School of Natural Science, Mathematics and Engineering will graduate 188 students, addressing the region’s need for STEM jobs. The most popular undergraduate degrees are in biology, nursing and computer engineering. Additional bachelor’s degrees will be awarded in geology, physics, mathematics, engineering sciences, electrical engineering and chemistry. Master’s degrees will be awarded in biology, geology and nursing.

Amritpal Kaur’s early graduation after just three-and-a-half years in the biochemistry department is a celebration not just for her but for her father, who gave up his own dream of becoming a doctor when he moved from India to the United States just six months before finishing his bachelor’s degree.

“Seeing him be so passionate about science kind of sparked that joy in my eyes for science, and somehow I found a way that I was interested in dentistry,” said Kaur, 21, who has applied to several dental schools. “In a sense, I’m living my dad’s dream for him, along with my passion, so it’s both combined in one.”

The School of Arts and Humanities will award 154 bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Leading the tally for undergraduates are the study of communications, English and history, with other degrees awarded in Spanish, theatre, religious studies, philosophy and music. Master’s degrees will be awarded in English, history and Spanish.

The commencement ceremony is a ticketed event, and each graduate will receive eight tickets. The RSVP deadline to participate in the ceremony is Nov. 21.