Golden Gate University Celebrates Return to In-Person Commencement at Oracle Park

For the first time since 2019, Golden Gate University held an in-person commencement ceremony on  Saturday, April 23 at Oracle Park in San Francisco. This special occasion was especially gratifying as the classes of 2020 and 2021, whose commencement ceremonies were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, were invited to join the class of 2022 in receiving their hard-earned degrees. Around 300 graduates from the classes of 2022, 2021, and 2020 now join the more than 68,000 alumni who are part of GGU’s 121-year legacy. 

Students, faculty, trustees, administrators, and staff gathered in their regalia and proudly processed to a cheering crowd of parents of students of all ages, children, relatives, and even pets who honored the achievements of our undergraduate and graduate students. It was a glorious moment!

After receiving an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree, commencement speaker, New York Times best-selling author, speaker, researcher, mentor, and Clark Atlanta University business school Professor Dr. Dennis Kimbro addressed the graduates.

Dr. Kimbro charged graduates to embrace today’s creators’ economy with a positive attitude and the drive that will enable them to be phenomenal leaders and risk-takers who are equipped to change the world.

“You have to believe in yourself when no one else will,” said Dr. Kimbro. “This is not the time for you to be shy or step aside. This is a time for you to take a seat at the table. This is your moment to speak up.” 

The ceremony also featured student speakers Sakshi Thinda Kalkat, MBA ’20 and Charita White, BA Management ’22, who both reflected upon the tenacity and strength their classmates showed as they completed their degrees during a worldwide pandemic.

“Few groups of graduates are more deserving of a celebration than the classes of 2022, 2021, and 2020—who have distinguished themselves with hard work, sacrifice, and determination,” said Barbara Mendelson, GGU Board of Trustees Chair. 

Golden Gate University awarded Baccalaureate, Master’s and Doctoral degrees at the ceremony. A separate commencement ceremony for GGU’s Law School Class of 2022 was held on May 19, 2022 at Davies Symphony Hall. Over 100 graduates received their Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Laws (LLM), and Doctor of Juridical Sciences (SJD) degrees.