Bachelor's and master's degrees were awarded to more than 6,000 students during nine ceremonies at Cal State Long Beach's 49th annual commencement ceremonies.
The nine ceremonies took place in the central quad of the campus Wednesday, May 27 through Friday, May 29.
Tommy Lasorda, former Los Angeles Dodger manager, was awarded an honorary doctorate from the College of Health and Human Services.
Honorary doctorates are rarely given at CSULB.
According to President Robert Maxson, Lasorda has quietly helped the university in many ways, and the college wanted to recognize his contributions to the lives and careers of young people.
For the 1997-98 academic year, each college honored an outstanding graduate and distinguished alumni, and the Most Valuable Professor Award was awarded to the faculty member who has most influenced the college's outstanding graduate.
Jewdat Hussein, a member or the university's first President's Scholars, graduated with a 3.9 GPA in biochemistry. The Cerritos resident is the outstanding graduate from the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Hussein will enter the Ph.D. program at Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla this fall.
The College of Arts honored Cherie Benner Davis of Irvine, who demonstrated her leadership skills as well as artistic talent while earning a master of fine arts in drawing and painting with a 3.9 GPA. Davis also was battling ovarian cancer and proudly stated that she is a four-year survivor of the disease.
In addition to earning a master's degree in counseling, Arvid Spor worked in CSULB's Center for Career Studies where he helped hundreds of individuals find jobs and secured $502,000 in workforce development grants. The Cypress resident is the outstanding graduate from the College of Education.
The College of Business Administration honoree, Leticia Rodriguez Hampton plans to work as a human relations consultant and attend graduate school. The Covina resident earned a 4.0 GPA in human resource management.
Susan J. Ghotra of Lakewood, one of two outstanding graduates from the College of Health and Human Resources earned her bachelor's degree in health science with a 3.9 GPA. Ghotra plans to continue at CSULB for a teaching credential.
Lauren Metzner, the other College of Health and Human Services honoree, was extensively involved in the Family and Consumer Sciences Department where she studied for her bachelor's degree in dietetics and food administration.
The College of Engineering honored Ruben Lechuga of Lomita in recognition of his academic achievement. Lechuga earned a 3.9 GPA and is a member of Golden Key and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies.
Journalism department professor Dr. Daniel Garvey was grand marshal of the liberal arts graduation ceremony. Garvey has decided to semi-retire from his full time teaching duties at CSULB.
Gene Ano of Lakewood and Emily Tyler Stewart of Garden Grove were the two outstanding graduates from the College of Liberal Arts.
Ano's accolades included participation in an honors program that provides intensive training in areas of psychological research.
Stewart earned a 4.0 GPA enroute to her bachelor's degree in religious studies.