Congratulations Class of 2019

Published May 21, 2019

Commencement ceremonies at Cal State Long Beach provide common prologues to thousands of emerging stories.

Yet the unifying symbols of Commencement – the black caps and gowns, the sounds of “Pomp and Circumstance” and the Alma Mater, the informal ritual of photo sessions in front of Lymon Lough Fountain, exist in parallel to signifiers of diversity and individuality.

Cal State Long Beach welcomed students and their families to Cultural Graduation Celebrations – celebrated with dance, music and traditional dress — prior to academic colleges’ more formal events honoring degree candidates. During those ceremonies, students’ individual personalities and achievements showed in the way they adorned themselves with leis, medallions and, for graduates who studied construction management, black hard hats emblazoned with the campus golden interlocking “LB” logo.

More than 11,000 students, bound for different destinations after their shared times at The Beach, earned the right to participate in this year’s ceremonies.

Photo Galleries


College of Engineering



The possibilities are endless


“The possibilities are endless,” President Jane Close Conoley told the class of 2019. “My simple message to you today though, is to be bold. You’ve earned that right. You’ve managed the rigors of an education at The Beach, and you’ve come to this ceremony to mark the occasion for yourselves, with your families, and your friends.”


College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics



College of Education



College of Liberal Arts


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Naomi Rainey-Pierson, president of the Long Beach branch of


College of Health & Human Services



College of Business



College of The Arts



“Speak truth with love. Have the courage to stand alone when you’re fighting against evil, bigotry and any kind of hate. Always help someone along the way. Do not let a simple disappointment, discouragement take you off of your trajectory toward your dream or your ambition. Remember, compassion and integrity are important.”