By Katlin Sweeney

Editor-in-Chief

The Class of 2014 is a group of students that reflect the diversity that CSUSM has to offer.

Office of Communications Public Information Officer, Christine Vaughan, provided the campus’ official data for the demographics that make up the graduating class. Between the four commencement ceremonies on May 16 and 17, there will be 2,649 students, not including credential students, graduating from CSUSM. 52.1 percent of these students will be the first person in their family to earn a bachelor’s degree. 146 graduates are student-veterans and eight graduates are ACE Scholars (a program for former foster youth), both statistics the largest amount in CSUSM history. According to Vaughan, the most awarded degree this year will be a “Bachelor of Science in Business Administration,” the second most common being a “Bachelor of Arts in Human Development.”

Graduation ceremonies will take place on either Friday or Saturday depending on the individual’s college. On Friday, May 16, the scheduled ceremonies are for the College of Business Administration at 10:30 a.m. and the College of Education, Health and Human Services at 4:30 p.m. On Saturday, May 17, the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences will take place at 9:30 a.m., followed by the College of Science and Mathematics at 3:00 p.m. According to Vaughan, the largest ceremony is CHABSS, followed by CEHHS, CoBA and CSM. She encourages social media users to join the celebration online using the hashtag #csusm14.

The Grand Marshalls for the graduation ceremonies will be Matt Walsh from CHABSS, Tim Hoh from CSM, Mary Green from COEHHS and Sarah Lane from COBA.

This year’s graduating class is comprised of seniors that have contributed to countless student orgs., publications, committees and departments. From the ASI Board of Directors, graduates include President Matt Walsh, VP of External Affairs Arthur Silverstein III and VP of Operations Cipriano Vargas. Graduates also members of The Cougar Chronicle editorial staff; Sports Editor Justin Donner, Features Editor Amanda Lenox, Opinion and Copy Editor Lauren Hammond, Design Editor Anne Hall and Heart Beat Columnist Rachel Gallego.

Congratulations to the Class of 2014 from The Cougar Chronicle. We wish you nothing but success!