(2:26:17) #CSUNgrad19Celebrate our 2019 graduates from the College of Engineering and Computer Science and College of Science and Mathematics!CSUN’s first commencement ceremony — for graduates of the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the College of Science and Mathematics — will take place at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 17.In an all-time record for the university, 11,627 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree candidates are eligible to graduate from California State University, Northridge this year.

(2:00) Alexandria Nicole Smolen, this year’s Wolfson Scholar, the top award given to a graduating senior. It is presented each year in memory of CSUN’s first vice president, Leo Wolfson. Not only must the student have an exceptional academic record, but he or she must also have made significant contributions to CSUN or the community through co-curricular and extracurricular activities.“When I received the news that I was the Wolfson Scholar, it was the most unreal feeling,” said Smolen, who earned her bachelor’s degree in cinema and television arts, with an emphasis in film, in December. “I worked a long time to get to this point, to get my degree. I put in a lot of care and passion into what I was doing. This honor says it was worth it.”“I researched the film program, and I knew this is where I wanted to go,” she said. “CSUN is known as the people’s university. I knew I would find a community and connections if I came here.”She spent the past year serving as producer of one of only five student-made films selected to be screened at CSUN’s 2019 Senior Film Showcase. Her film, “Torn,” is the story of woman who is sexually assaulted the night of her sister’s engagement party.“As a producer, I definitely want to shine the light on women and diverse cinematographers and directors,” Smolen said. “I want to build a team that works well together. Some of the most successful artists out there build their teams from the ground up. I think I’ve found some of my people at CSUN.”© 2019 California State University, Northridge

(2:00) Description: B.S. in Accounting Argin Yadegarian, 30, of Glendale, hasn’t received his diploma yet, but he is already making plans to give back to the institution that he credits with making it possible for him to achieve his dreams. He is thinking about creating scholarship at CSUN, once he’s established himself as a businessman, to ensure that future students like him — an immigrant from a low-income family — have the support and encouragement they need to succeed.Crew: Edited by: Bryan Rodgers Music by: The Music Bed (licensed with permission)© 2019 California State University, Northridge

(2:01) Description: B.A. in History Oshae C. Rodgers, 21, of North Hollywood, is an ardent believer in appreciating history — your personal history, that of your community and that of the greater society. Rodgers plans to turn that passion for history into a teaching career, first at a middle or high school and eventually a college. He recognizes that being a teacher is not easy, ‘but if I can touch just one life, and they go on and touch another life, then my job is done,” he said.Crew: Edited by: Leo Cheng Music by: The Music Bed (licensed with permission)© 2019 California State University, Northridge

(2:04) Description: B.S. in Public Health When Keith West, head coach of CSUN’s women’s soccer team, looks at Marissa Favela, 21, he said he sees courage, strength, tenacity, a dedicated student and a talented athlete, who, when faced with obstacles, never gives up and has chosen to live life to the fullest.Resources: CSUN College ofCrew: Edited by: Liam S. Terlecki Music by: The Music Bed (licensed with permission)© 2019 California State University, Northridge

(2:09) Description: B.A. in Honors English Katharine Charnay admits her journey to CSUN was not a direct one. But along the way, she said, she has learned that she is stronger than she thought and how to turn her mistakes into lessons that she can build on.Crew: Edited by: Liam S. Terlecki Music by: The Music Bed (licensed with permission)© 2019 California State University, Northridge

(2:01) Description: B.S. in Astrophysics Justin Bracks, 31 of Pasadena, will be spending the next few years building a satellite balloon that will launch several million dollars-worth of equipment into space from a research station in Antarctica in an effort to get an better understanding of our universe.Crew: Edited by: Rachael Howery Music by: The Music Bed (licensed with permission)© 2019 California State University, Northridge

(1:21:42) #CSUNgrad19CSUN Commencement 2019 Honors Convocation recognizes outstanding graduating students who are distinguished based on Scholastic or Personal Achievement.Honors Convocation begins at 6 p.m. on May 11. This year’s speaker will be CSUN alumnus Robert D. Taylor, a financial industry leader and nationally recognized advocate for economic justice.Taylor graduated from CSUN in 1982 with a bachelor’s degree in engineering before he went on to Stanford University, where he earned an MBA and a law degree. He is a founding partner of the investment firm Centinela Capital Partners, LLC. Prior to that, he was a founding partner of the private equity firm Blue Capital and a partner at the management consulting firm McKinsey & Company. Taylor is a member of the CSUN Foundation Board of Directors, and he received a Distinguished Alumni Award from the university in 2016.In an all-time record for the university, 11,627 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree candidates are eligible to graduate from California State University, Northridge this year.

(3:01) “People don’t have to give, but they give from who they are and their heart, regardless of what they’re making,” said the mother, Xochitl. “It’s a personal choice they make, and it adds to our family. When your child is the recipient you feel very thankful. You’re humbled by it because nobody has to do it, but they do. Now it’s going to be our turn.”The Hernandez family represents three generations of Matadors. Xochitl’s maternal grandfather Armando Vazquez earned a bachelor’s degree from CSUN in 1973. He was a Chicano activist who marched alongside Cesar Chavez in the late 1960s. Leo and Xochitl Hernandez met while they were students at CSUN and each earned their degree and teaching credential from the university.The student Xochitl said receiving the scholarship means she doesn’t not have to rely as much on her parents, who are educators. It also added to her Matador pride.“I was definitely meant to be here,” she said of coming to CSUN. “It’s really special to me. Not many people can say (they’re third-generation at a university). … I can proudly say that my whole family went to CSUN. It’s the school that practically raised me and raised my family and changed the trajectory of how my family evolved. It means a lot to me. It’s my home pretty much.”Edited by: Rachael Howery Music by: The Music Bed (licensed with permission)© 2017 California State University, Northridge

(3:01) “I didn’t even think I could go to college because my family was so low income, and I was so scared of taking out a huge amount of loans. To have that scholarship and not have that burden of paying for that portion of tuition, it’s life-changing,” said graduate scholarship recipient Marcella Rose. “Now I can focus on my school, and not work two to three jobs just to pay for it. I get to focus on what I love.”Rose earned her bachelor’s degree in geographic information science from CSUN in 2017. She said she chose to continue her education at CSUN because of the outstanding experience she received, the university’s resources university and the professors are “unparalleled.”She is the former president of CSUN’s Geography Club, a teaching associate in the Department of Geography and an FAA-certified remote pilot.“She’s absolutely remarkable in how she has evolved as a person and a scholar. I see such big things for her future,” said CSUN geography professor Amalie Orme, a guest of Rose’s at the event.Edited by: Rachael Howery Music by: The Music Bed (licensed with permission)© 2019 California State University, Northridge

(2:28) This award is granted annually to a staff member who sustains consistent, outstanding performance and demonstrates the eight university planning priorities. Duong ’05 (LSP Math) has been invaluable in her role as office coordinator for the Department of Mathematics, performing budget analyses, management and event planning duties to support the nearly 12,000 students in the department.© 2019 California State University, Northridge

(2:32) Shellie Hadvina Assistant Vice President, Alumni Relations and Annual Funds This award is given to an administrator who sustains consistent and outstanding demonstration of the Leadership Principles, and connects their work with the campus's eight planning priorities. Hadvina ’90 (Recreation), MPA ’98, assistant vice president for Alumni Relations and Annual Giving, has deepened connections between the university and its alumni She created the first AS Presidents’ Day, the Alumni concert series, and the Corporate Connect program, and was one of the leaders of CSUN’s 60th Anniversary Celebration.© 2019 California State University, NorthridgeCrew: David Lane, Rachael Howery, Bryan Rodgers, Leo Edited By: Leo Cheng

(5:01) Description:Music by: The Music Bed (licensed with permission)© 2019 California State University, Northridge

(5:01) Description:Music by: The Music Bed (licensed with permission)© 2019 California State University, Northridge

(5:01) Description:Music by: The Music Bed (licensed with permission)© 2019 California State University, Northridge

(0:28) Directed by Ariel FordIs set in the late 1850s and chronicles the love story of Anaya Jabari, a Kenyan slave, and Robert Duncan, her owner’s son. When Anaya gives birth to their child, pandemonium erupts on the plantation, and the pair are forced to make hard choices.© 2019 California State University, Northridge

(0:49) Directed by Lara Aslanian,Is the story of Anna, who is sexually assaulted the night of her sister’s engagement party. After the assault, she finds her assailant’s cuff links. Overcome with guilt and shame, she struggles to come forward and accuse a man she once thought she could trust.© 2019 California State University, Northridge

(0:47) Directed by Stephanie Botelho,Is the story of Mark and his deaf girlfriend, Emma. After what Mark believes is a perfect night, their relationship goes awry and both have to deal with the consequences.© 2019 California State University, Northridge

(0:56) Directed by Eric Wann Is a neo-noir Western drama that explores the themes of generational dysfunction, choice and the ability to change one’s behavior. Set in the Southwest, “Courage” is the story of Gayle, a man on the run from the law who, when something is stolen from him, must decide whether to try to get it back or keep going before he’s caught by the authorities.© 2019 California State University, Northridge

(0:51) Directed by Andrew BoreneTells the story of Paul, who lives in a small town on the Mexican-American border. Paul, good friends with the town’s bigoted sheriff, is faced with a moral dilemma when an immigrant shows up at his back door.© 2019 California State University, Northridge