Congratulations Class of 2025!
View the photo gallery of this year’s graduation celebration at the Mondavi Center
On Wednesday, June 11, the School of Education celebrated the accomplishments of our newest teaching credential, M.A., Ph.D., and Ed.D. alumni at the Mondavi Center for the Arts. Graduates gathered with family, friends, faculty, and staff to recognize their hard work and step into the next stage of their careers.
During his address, Dean Tom Smith reminded graduates of the importance of building and maintaining relationships with their colleagues throughout their careers. “Sometimes your work is going to be hard,” he said. “Sometimes you’re going to feel like you’re the only person who holds the values of equity, justice, and fairness. And there are also many ways in which working in education can mean working alone. It’s extremely important that you nurture and maintain the valuable professional networks you’ve built here. The people you’re graduating with today can be lifelong allies, mentors, and friends—and so can you.”
Chancellor Gary S. May echoed Dean Smith’s sentiment, sharing that the graduates are working toward educational equity together. “You are graduating from a school where equity and social justice are at the heart of its mission,” said Chancellor May. “It’s imperative that we meet the needs of students from every background, that everyone has access to a quality education, and that our schools, colleges, and universities foster a culture of mutual respect.”
The Education Graduate Student Association (EdGSA) recognized Christopher Loureiro, Desktop & Help Desk Support Technician to the Office of Information and Educational Technology, with the Staff Service Award. This award is announced annually at the graduation ceremony to celebrate an outstanding staff or faculty member for their service to students of the School of Education.
“You can find Chris successfully solving impossible problems in his office, making sure everything runs smoothly in our labs and offices, and running up and down the School of Education stairs to emergency assist one of us.” said EdGSA president Maria Belen Buttiler. “Chris, your hard work and contagious, positive energy do not go unnoticed and are much appreciated.”
Ed.D. graduate Eileen Forbes-Hill was the ceremony’s student speaker, and delivered the final commencement speech, describing the transformative power of education. “Education isn’t just a profession—it’s a calling,” she said. “It asks us to believe in the potential of others, even when they don’t see it in themselves.”
Watch the full ceremony for more highlights and can’t-miss moments.
