Graduate students participate in hooding ceremonies before commencement

(Center) Meagan Minson, an athletic training master’s degree candidate at California Baptist University, participates in the College of Health Science hooding ceremony on May 2.

Riverside, Calif. (May 3, 2017)—Hundreds of master's degree candidates at California Baptist University have been celebrating their academic achievements at hooding ceremonies this week, leading up to commencement ceremonies on May 6.

Nearly 700 graduate students are eligible to participate in the spring commencements. Many of CBU’s graduate programs hold hooding ceremonies to recognize their candidates and give students their distinctive colored hoods to wear at their commencement ceremony.  

The largest group of master’s candidates comes from the School of Behavioral Sciences with 108 candidates. CBU also had a large number of candidates from the Online and Professional Studies Division (OPS), numbering 271 candidates among multiple programs.

At the School of Behavioral Sciences hooding ceremony held on May 3, Dr. Jacqueline Gustafson, dean, challenged students to help meet the needs of those hurting and vulnerable.

“We know that you have persevered through this experience…because you believe in making a difference for those whom you serve in your professions,” Gustafson said. “You will be the difference—one culture, one community and one person at a time.”

Meagan Minson, who is graduating with a Master of Science in Athletic Training, received her sage green hood at the College of Health Science ceremony on May 2.

“My experience [at CBU] was great. I came in with 18 other strangers, and I left with 18 family members,” Minson said. “I’ve always had a passion for helping people, and I love sports so this is where my world came together.”

CBU will conduct two commencement ceremonies on May 6 at the Citizens Business Bank Arena—one at 1 p.m. for traditional undergraduates and the other at 7 p.m. for graduate and OPS undergraduate students.

For more information on commencement click here.