More than 1,100 students receive degrees

California Lutheran University sent forth more than 1,100 new graduates during the Forty-Seventh Annual Commencement ceremonies held May 14 and 15 in Mt. Clef Stadium.

ReShai Tate, president of the Associated Students of CLU-Government, welcomed his classmates to the undergraduate ceremony on May 15.

"I hope that we remember that we take with us an education based on respect for ourselves, our fellow classmates and the world around us; a sense of discipleship and discipline and vocation; and a great love for this place that has shaped us and we helped shape," the Chicago resident said.

Nicole Flanary of Dayton, Ohio, urged her fellow graduates to ignore those who are pessimistic about the future they face.

"There is no need to be afraid, there is no impossible and there are no boundaries," she said.

John Larisey of Moorpark commended his fellow graduates from the Adult Degree Evening Program for earning their degrees while juggling so many responsibilities.

"If we were able to work full time, parent full time and study full time, anything else that life can challenge us with will be easy in comparison," said 56-year-old Larisey.

Christine McCloskey, who received her doctorate in educational leadership, spoke at the May 14 Graduate Commencement Ceremony honoring the 463 students receiving master's degrees and the 40 receiving doctorates. The principal of Richard Bard Elementary School in Port Hueneme recalled how she found herself sitting with a troubled student in the rain a few days after defending her dissertation.

"None of (the knowledge we've gained) does us any good if we're not willing to go out in the rain and just sit with a child or person who needs us," McCloskey said. "May all that we have accomplished touch the lives of those around us."

Kevin Schaffels, who earned a master of business administration degree, encouraged his fellow graduates to put their skills to use by volunteering for nonprofit organizations.

"You will do well," the Reseda resident told them. "Will you also do good?"

President Chris Kimball gave the concluding remarks at both commencements.

"You have been accepted to law schools, medical schools, master's and Ph.D. programs from places such as USC east to Yale and across the Atlantic to the London School of Economics... Other members of the Class of 2010 leave us to teach English in China, to serve in AmeriCorps or the Peace Corps, to accept Fulbright Scholarships, to do development work in Africa and to accept callings to seminary," Kimball told the undergraduates. "We are thankful for all the ways you have chosen to serve and for how well you will represent CLU to the world."