Graduating seniors gathered on the lawn of the Oviatt library Monday evening for CSUN’s 31st annual Honors Convocation. Each graduate was recognized and celebrated for their academic success.
President Dianne Harrison opened the ceremony, excited to introduce her first graduation ceremonies as president of the university.
“The students we honor tonight represent the very best of Northridge,” she said. “You truly help make CSUN shine.”
Out of an estimated 10,000 students that qualify to graduate this Spring 2013, more than 2,000 were recognized for their academic and extracurricular achievements. To be invited to participate in the ceremony, students had to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.88 or higher.
Harrison went on to introduce the keynote speaker Linda Lingle, CSUN alumna and former governor of Hawaii. Lingle was the first female Jewish governor of the islands.
“You cannot get a better education than the one you get here at CSUN,” Lingle told the crowd of students and families. “It prepared me for everything I’ve faced in my life.”
She shared memories of her own graduation from CSUN, along with valuable words of advice for the graduates.
“No matter how big the issue in front of you…you can get beyond it by putting one foot in front of the other,” Lingle said.
