Antioch University Los Angeles awarded degrees at its 45th annual Commencement ceremony that took place on Sunday, June 25, 2017. The ceremony honored graduates from undergraduate programs in Liberal Studies, Applied Studies, Applied Arts and Media, Urban Communities and Justice, and Applied Technology and Business Leadership and the graduate programs in Clinical Psychology, Creative Writing, Nonprofit Management, Education, and Urban Sustainability. Students who completed AULA’s Bridge Program, which provides University level education for students who may not otherwise have access to higher education at no charge, will also honored at the ceremony.
The ceremony began with a welcome from Interim Provost/CEO Dale A. Johnston and greetings from Interim Chancellor Bill Groves, and Elsa Luna, a member of the Antioch University Board of Governors. Alumni Council member Kate Maruyama welcomed the graduates to the Antioch University alumni community, which now numbers more than 30,000.
For the sixth year in a row, AULA has chosen not to hire an outside speaker. Instead, each academic program selected an exceptional student to give a commencement speech. The student speakers were: Lauren Jones (Bridge Program); Laurie Albright (Undergraduate Studies Division); Martel Okonji (Education Department); Celina Alvarez (Nonprofit Management Department); Angela Vincent (Urban Sustainability Department); Alejandro Romero (Psychology Department); and Kim Sabin (Creative Writing Department). The ceremony concluded with a charge to the graduates from Dale A. Johnston.
African drummers, Rhythm Guewel of West Africa, led the recessional. The sold-out event took place at Royce Hall on the UCLA campus in Westwood, California. A reception with family and friends followed the ceremony.
View the ceremony in its entirety.
Watch highlights of the ceremony.
Karen Hamilton ’17 (Antioch Los Angeles, MA) is Antioch's Director of Marketing for Content and Communications. She has used her storytelling and copywriting skills for more than twenty years, crafting articles and creating publications. She believes that communication is a powerful driver for social change.
