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news
'A.I.'
director earns B.A.
By Ken Hanson
Summer On-line Forty-Niner
The stars were
out May 30 at the 59th annual graduation ceremonies at Cal
State Long Beach.
Filmmaker Steven
Spielberg earned a bachelors degree in film and electronic
arts after dropping out of CSULB more than 30 years ago. The
achievement marked the realization of one of his life-long
dreams, he said in a press release.
Spielberg's classmates
were also excited to have the director participate in the
ceremonies.
"It was cool,"
FEA graduate Douglas Globe said. "He's one of our classmates.
It makes the ceremony that much more exciting."
Other students
brought movies, DVD's and videocassettes hoping for an autograph
from the famous director. Globe even affixed a headshot photograph
of himself to his cap, asking to be in Spielberg's next film.
Though the noteworthy
graduate was not supposed to receive any special considerations,
CSULB officials allowed Spielberg to take a seat on the platform
rather than returning to his seat with his fellow graduates.
There was also extraordinary press coverage of the event.
Television news cameras and photographers were given their
own areas.
Even Cal State
University Chancellor Charles B. Reed attended the ceremonies.
Though he does not generally attend commencement ceremonies,
Chancellor Reed came to support CSULB President Robert Maxson,
said Sandra George from the Chancellor's Office.
"The chancellor
attended the ceremony because he saw that none of the other
(University) trustees were going to be there," George
said.
Spielberg took
other security measures such as enrolling in at CSULB under
an assumed name, said Karen Burman, FEA department coordinator.
He completed the
necessary requirements for his degree through independent
studies. Armed security guards dressed as graduates provided
added protection for Spielberg during the graduation ceremony.
"He was trying
not to make a big splash," Burman said. "Certainly
the people whose class he was in knew who he is."
Spielberg passed
his senior film making classes based on his professional works.
Films like "Schindler's List," "A.I.,"
and "E.T." qualified Spielberg for his bachelor's
degree in film and electronic arts, said department chair
Sharyn Blumenthal.
He also completed
term papers and met individually with professors to fulfill
requirements in general education courses.
Utah Jazz forward
Bryon Russell also graduated May 29 with a bachelor's degree
in criminal justice.
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