‘The spirit of CSUB’

95 NSME grads walk commencement stage

By California State University, Bakersfield

December 19^th, 2023

After finding their seats ahead of Friday’s commencement ceremony, students graduating from California State University, Bakersfield had a few moments to pause and reflect. Looking back at their time on campus — with this milestone just ahead of them — it wasn’t only the classes and exams that stood out, but the transformative effect it all had.

“My years at CSUB definitely shaped me to be the person I am now,” said Serina Ishida, an engineering major.

Ishida is one of 95 students from CSUB’s School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering who walked the stage on Friday at the first of two ceremonies the university held at Mechanics Bank Arena to accommodate this year’s graduates. While the first celebrated students from the schools of Arts and Humanities, Business and Public Administration and NSME, a second ceremony on Saturday morning honored those from the School of Social Sciences and Education.

Sitting beside Ishida was her classmate Juan Espinoza, also an engineering student. He recalled all the people who told him that their college years were the best of their life. Espinoza thinks he agrees, saying he will miss being on campus, studying and spending time with friends.

His education journey will soon continue with a mechanical engineering grad program at Fresno State. School has been — and will still be — a lot of work, but for Espinoza, it’s worth it.

“This was important for me to complete because I want to set a path for family and friends who come after me,” he said. “A lot of people want to do things but are scared because there’s no one to follow. I want to be that for my friends.”

Like Espinoza, Michelle Bello is the first in her family to graduate from college. The human biology major came to CSUB from Coachella, and while she dealt with some homesickness, she said she loved her time at CSUB and would come here again. With family and friends in attendance for the ceremony, she was feeling a mix of emotions.

“I’m nervous but really excited!” Bello said. “I feel very relieved and really proud of myself. It’s exciting because I know my parents are proud of me.”

Family played a big role in Geno Zepeda’s college experience too. A computer science major originally from Porterville, Zepeda will next attend San Jose State to earn his master’s in software engineering.

“My mom and dad have been supportive throughout,” said Zepeda, who is also a first-generation college student. “I went to junior college first and spent longer there than usual, but I learned how to be a better student. … I kept going because of my daughter. She’s a big inspiration to me.”

Addressing the fall class of 2023 in her commencement speech, CSUB President Lynnette Zelezny shared that she too was about to embark on a new chapter of her life. While the students finish their time at CSUB, so will President Zelezny, who retires at the end of the year.

“Graduates, in just 17 days, we will welcome 2024 with a sense of renewal and purpose,” she said. “May we carry the spirit of CSUB in our hearts wherever our dreams take us. And may the peace and hope we feel tonight extend beyond this season and live within us each and every day of the year.”