2022 Commencement

Published May 11, 2022

Commencement Speaker Erik Takayesu asked the College of Engineering's more than 1,200 graduates to imagine a life without engineers. “Well, I see absolutely nothing," he said. "Without engineers, the world would be a very scary place."

Takayesu told the audience that he recalls graduating from CSULB with an electrical engineering bachelor's degree and wondering what the future would hold. "I can remember very vividly what it was like to sit in your chair. Wondering what will it be like to leave a life of studies and embark on a life of work and career? Will I enjoy what I do and like the people I work with?"

As it turned out, Takayesu joined Southern California Edison in 1991. In his more than three decades with the utility, he has worked in grid operations, advanced technology and modernization, system planning, and wildfire mitigation. He was recently promoted to senior vice president of SCE's Asset Strategy & Planning organization. 

During the Commenceent Ceremony at Angel's Stadium Monday, Dean Jinny Rhee congratulated the graduates, as well as their families and friends. "I am humbled to stand before you as your Dean. You all are the future and to send you out into the world to do your part to make the world a better place, I’m grateful for the good work you will do and the impact you’ll have on the region, the state of California, and beyond,” she said.

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Erik Takayesu and SCE colleagues
Stacia Kato, Erik Takayesu, Dana Cabbell, and other colleagues from Southern California Edison.
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COE Dean Rhee
Dean Jinny Rhee delivering 2022 Commencement remarks.

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COE graduates
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decorated mortarboards
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CEM grads
Also during the ceremony, outstanding bachelor's and graduate students were recognized. 

The Outstanding Baccalaureate Department Graduates were:

  • Zakariya Saleh Amur Al Kharusi, Chemical Engineering
  • Matthew Born, Electrical Engineering
  • Ryan Cavanaugh, Computer Science
  • Heaven-Isaiah Flores, Aerospace Engineering
  • Michelle Narolewska, Civil Engineering
  • Vi Nguyen, Mechanical Engineering
  • Nicole Reinking, Computer Engineering
  • Chung Thai, Biomedical Engineering

The Graduate Dean’s List included:

  • Daniella Andalon, Chemical Engineering
  • Dhara Bhadani, Computer Science
  • Aaron Choi, Aerospace Engineering
  • Maria El Asmar, Civil Engineering
  • Brando Haugen, Mechanical Engineering
  • Chavisa Klunglukchup, Engineering (Mechanical)
  • Seungcheol (Paul) Oh, Electrical Engineering

To view more photos from the 2021-22 Commencement, visit the College on Instagram or Facebook.

Read the Long Beach Press-Telegram article.