Processional
Announcement of the Commencement
Elizabeth Grace, Director, Accounting and Finance
National Anthem
Welcome
Dan Moshavi, Dean, Lucas College and Graduate School of Business
Presiding
Mary A. Papazian, President
Congratulations from the SJSU Alumni Association
Wanda Hendrix, ’77 Sociology, ’94 MPA, President, Alumni Association Board of Directors
Honorary Degree
James E. Thompson, Chairman and Founder of the Crown Worldwide Group
Presentation of Candidates
Vincent J. Del Casino Jr., Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Dan Moshavi, Dean, Lucas College and Graduate School of Business
Conferring of Degrees
Mary A. Papazian, President
Alma Mater
“Hail, Spartans, Hail”
Recessional
James E. Thompson
James E. Thompson is the Chairman and Founder of the Crown Worldwide Group. After graduating from San José State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering, Jim arrived in Asia in 1963. Within two years he established Crown in Yokohama, Japan. He moved to Hong Kong in 1978. Today, the Crown Worldwide Group employs over 5,000 full-time staff around the world, as well as a large number of contracted personnel.
A prominent figure in both the relocation industry and in his adopted home of Hong Kong, Jim’s past roles include being a board member of Ocean Park Corporation; a member of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council; the Chairman of HKTDC Logistics Services Advisory Committee; a member of the Hong Kong Trade and Industry Advisory Board; and a member of the ICAC Advisory Committee on Corruption. He also served two terms as the Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong.
A passion shared by Jim, and his wife Sally, is helping the people of underserved communities – in particular, working with charities that focus on children, health and education. He serves as chairman or board member of numerous charitable organizations.
In 2013, Jim was awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star for his lifelong contribution to the Hong Kong community. It is awarded by the Hong Kong Government to recognize those who have given distinguished service to the community or rendered public or voluntary services of a very high degree of merit.
Regalia
Commencement exercises like today’s ceremony date from the Middle Ages and the traditions of Europe’s first universities. Our graduates and members of the platform party are wearing regalia—robes, hoods and caps—that are likely adapted from the clothing of medieval priests or friars. Spot the differences in the gowns:
- Presidential gown is adorned with four bars, representing the Office of the President.
- Doctoral gown has velvet panels down the front and three velvet bars on each of the bell-shaped sleeves. The color of the velvet may indicate the academic discipline.
- Master’s gown may be worn open and has long sleeves with slits above the elbow.
- Bachelor’s gown has a closed front and long, pointed sleeves.
Draped over the shoulders, the hood evolved from a priest’s cowl and was often used to carry items—the first backpack, perhaps. The lining colors signify the college or university granting the degree. At San José State, the hood is gold, blue and white. The monk’s skullcap became the mortarboard cap or tam. Black is the accepted cap color in the United States, but many foreign universities have colorful headdresses.
Tassels vary in use and color. At SJSU, the color of tassels for bachelor’s degree candidates represent each college. The color for the Lucas College and Graduate School of Business is sapphire blue.
The Ceremonial Mace
An ornamental staff or scepter, the mace is carried by officials as part of formal parliamentary or academic ceremonies. A gift from the Tower Foundation of SJSU, the university’s ceremonial mace was designed and created by Art and Art History Lecturer Yvonne Escalante, ’13 MFA Spatial Arts (right photo). She found inspiration for the design in both SJSU history and the paths students take to reach graduation.