About 450 graduating students were recognized for their accomplishments at Cal State San Bernardino, as about 3,700 friends and family filled the CSUSB Coussoulis Arena for the Latino Graduation ceremony on Saturday, June 2.

The ceremony opened with cultural performances embodying the tradition of the Latino heritage, the singing of the national anthem and remarks from Monica McMahon, co-chair of the Association of Latino Faculty, Staff and Students, CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales, and Cristina Portillo, CSUSB kinesiology student and the ceremony’s keynote speaker.

This year’s Latino Graduation ceremony was among the biggest ceremonies that CSUSB has hosted, and the ceremony’s significance for the Latino community at Cal State San Bernardino was emphasized by McMahon.

“This past Saturday we celebrated the largest Latino grad ceremony to date,” said McMahon. “CSUSB is a Hispanic-Serving Institution, with many students identifying as first generation, and this bilingual cultural recognition ceremony is important and memorable, as it allows our students the opportunity to share their college experience and culture with their family and friends.”                                                

Before the presentation of the sashes, the following 10 scholarship recipients were recognized:

ALFSS Scholarship recipients

  • Carlos Hernandez, finance
  • Destiny Lara Benzor, communication studies
  • Evelynn Serna, environmental studies
  • Gisselle Lopez, liberal studies
  • Leslie Delgadillo, psychology
  • Ligia Victoria Camey Moreira, biology
  • Matthew Romero, information systems and technology

Cardenas Markets and LEAD Scholarship recipient

  • Jose Luiz Carreno, art

Chicano Latino Caucus and Office of the President Scholarship recipients

  • Mayra Barragan-O-Brein, psychology
  • Juana Lozano, administration

“Being selected for an ALFSS scholarship is one of the many accomplishments I received here at CSUSB, and one that I’m proud about because I’ve worked hard for everything I have,” said Benzor. “This scholarship is going to significantly help me in my future at CSUSB, allowing me to not have to worry about taking out a big loan to cover my school expenses, and help me to focus on my school work.”

After the ceremony recessional, Portillo reflected on the touching ceremony, sharing her thoughts on the event’s role for the Latino culture and its impact to her time at CSUSB.

“The Latino Graduation ceremony created a sense of empowerment, unity, pride, gratitude and evoked so many emotions, because we can all relate to our struggles as Latinos,” said Portillo. “The Latino Graduation was a major highlight of my college career and (I) will never forget the overwhelming joy I felt.”

Visit the ALFSS website for more information on its membership and organizations.

For more information on Cal State San Bernardino, contact the university’s Office of Strategic Communication at (909) 537-5007 and visit inside.csusb.edu.