BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) \u2014 Cal State Bakersfield held its spring graduation ceremony at Dignity Health Arena for the first time, celebrating the Class of 2026 with family and friends in attendance.<\/p>\n
For the spring semester, 1,584 students graduated with bachelor’s degrees, 288 with master’s degrees and 14 with doctoral degrees in educational leadership. Combined with the fall semester, a total of 3,429 students graduated from Cal State Bakersfield.<\/p>\n
University President Vernon B. Harper Jr. said crossing the stage carries deep meaning \u2014 especially for students who are the first in their families to attend a 4-year university.<\/p>\n
“We’re so proud of to be able to impact these families in this community, but because a higher education degree is pivotal to individuals being able to advance themselves, their families, in this community.”<\/p>\n
Angeline Hernandez is the first in her family to attend a university. She graduated with a degree in business administration after transferring from Bakersfield College.<\/p>\n
“It’s crazy. I didn’t think I’d make it. It was a long journey, but it’s exciting.”<\/p>\n
Hernandez said the transition from community college was challenging but worthwhile.<\/p>\n
“Yeah, just transferring from a community college, and the coursework was a lot more rigorous, but we’ve had a push through.”<\/p>\n
Andres Alaniz majored in accounting and said his professors prepared him to enter the workforce.<\/p>\n
“Every professor that I wanted to ask a question, they were always, like, available to answer, and that means a lot to the students, like, being able to just like when you’re struggling, you’re able to, like, get a question answered, it just means a lot.”<\/p>\n
Alaniz said the moment it became real was when he put on his cap and gown.<\/p>\n
“When I was putting on my cap and gown. I thought, my my God, it’s, like, finally happening. And it’s, like, it was just so I felt like a sense of relief for sure.”<\/p>\n
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.<\/p>\n
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