Cultural graduations held on campus

In addition to traditional commencement ceremonies, many Cal State Long Beach graduates will take part in special ceremonies honoring not only their graduation, but their culture as well.

The departments of black studies, Chicano and Latino studies, and Asian and Asian-American studies are all honoring the graduates of their departments with individual ceremonies.

"The focus is more of a spiritual and cultural celebration in the sense that it is more individual," said Brett Waterfield, Student Life and Development coordinator and organizer of the Black Graduation.

At the 13th annual Black Graduation ceremony, which will be held Saturday, graduates will be presented with a certificate honoring their achievement at CSULB, Waterfield said.

Graduating senior Roxanne Sterling will speak from a graduate's perspective, along with a performance of the Black National Anthem, a spoken-word poetry reading, and a keynote speech given by Maulana Karenga, chairman of the black studies department and creator of the Pan-African holiday Kwanzaa.

The Chicano and Latino Graduation will honor 180 graduates, said Michael Lara, a coordinator of the event and University Student Union associate director. A live quartet will play traditional graduation music. Each graduate will receive a certificate, a sash and a medallion in recognition of their graduation, said Monique Comminey, an event volunteer.

The theme of the ceremony is "Strengthening Our Community with Education and Pride," with keynote speaker Dr. Luis Arroyo, chairman of the Chicano and Latino studies department.

"I think it's more personal then the other commencement ceremony because you can connect with your culture," Comminey said.

The Asian and Asian American studies department held their ceremony last Monday. Traditional Asian foods such as egg rolls and pancit were served at the reception where every graduate of the Asian and Asian American studies department was honored with a certificate, said Dr. Cassandra Kao, vice chairwoman of the Asian and Asian American studies department.

The winners of the department's calligraphy and Japanese essay contest were also recognized at the reception, according to Yasuko Koshiyama, a lecturer in the department. Graduate David Engram was honored as the first place winner of the Japanese essay contest and received the platinum award, including a $100 gift certificate, for his essay about the effects of Japanese language on his life.