Cal State Long Beach Celebrates Graduation at Angel Stadium

Categories: College University AthleticsCollege/University NewsEducation

Graduates gather at Angel Stadium in celebration of their achievements during the Cal State Long Beach graduation ceremony.

News Summary

Cal State Long Beach launched its graduation season with a ceremony at Angel Stadium, marking a return to tradition after COVID-19 disruptions. Around 10,000 students will participate in ceremonies, while CSULB also announced the discontinuation of the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement. President Jane Close Conoley revealed her retirement plans, leaving a lasting legacy as the first woman president and overseeing significant growth and student support initiatives during her tenure.

Anaheim, CA – Cal State Long Beach (CSULB) proudly launched its graduation season with a ceremony at Angel Stadium on May 19, 2025. This marks the university’s first commencement event at this location since the onset of COVID-19 restrictions, celebrating the achievements of graduates from the Colleges of Education and Engineering.

The revival of the commencement tradition, which was suspended for three years due to logistical challenges, allowed students to walk the stage and receive their diplomas, a long-cherished practice among graduates and their families. The festivities are set to continue through Thursday, May 22, 2025, with approximately 10,000 students expected to participate in various ceremonies throughout this period.

In a related policy change, CSULB announced the immediate discontinuation of the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) Placement Exam. This adjustment aligns CSULB’s policies with the standards of the California State University system. Karyn Scissum Gunn, the provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, explained that this change is part of ongoing efforts to streamline student requirements. Furthermore, students will no longer incur fees for placement tests provided by the campus, which is consistent with CSU policy, and the GWAR Portfolio courses will not be required starting in summer 2025.

In addition to the graduation ceremonies and policy updates, CSULB President Jane Close Conoley announced her retirement at the end of the 2024-25 academic year. Conoley has been a significant figure at CSULB and is recognized as the first woman to serve as president in the university’s 75-year history. Her leadership has contributed to notable growth at CSULB, including a 12% increase in student enrollment and over $550 million raised through major fundraising initiatives.

Currently, CSULB has a student body of approximately 41,300, with a demographic majority identifying as Latino and nearly three-quarters of undergraduates receiving some form of financial aid. Conoley’s administration has been marked by initiatives aimed at supporting students experiencing housing and food insecurity, in addition to guiding the university through the tumultuous period of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, her tenure has not been without controversy. CSULB faced backlash regarding its graduation policies and the management of protests related to the Israel-Palestine conflict. One significant event occurred in 2019 when debris was dumped on a sacred site, resulting in a lawsuit and a settlement that led to restrictions on development in that area.

As President Conoley prepares to leave the university, the search for her successor will commence this winter, overseen by a committee appointed by the Chancellor and the CSU’s Board of Trustees. The transition follows nearly five decades of Conoley’s distinguished career in academia, leaving a lasting impact on CSULB and its students.