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Charles W. Davidson College of Engineering San José State University

Commencement Program

December 15, 2021, 2:00 p.m. Provident Credit Union Event Center at SJSU

Processional

Announcement of the Commencement

Hiu Yung Wong, Assistant Professor, Electrical Engineering

National Anthem

Welcome

Sheryl Ehrman, Don Beall Dean, Charles W. Davidson College of Engineering

Presiding

Mary A. Papazian, President

Congratulations from the SJSU Alumni Association

Wanda Hendrix, ’77 Sociology, ’94 MPA, President, Alumni Association Board of Directors

Commencement Address

Timothy Li, ’03 Industrial Engineering, CEO of Alchemy

Presentation of Candidates

Vincent J. Del Casino Jr., Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Sheryl Ehrman, Dean, Charles W. Davidson College of Engineering

Conferring of Degrees

Mary A. Papazian, President

Alma Mater

“Hail, Spartans, Hail”

Recessional

Timothy Li

Timothy Li, '03 is the CEO of Alchemy, a lending platform built to specifically address the needs of today’s consumers and is passionate about FinTech and education. He has worked in the financial tech and marketplace lending industries for over ten years, successfully launching multiple platforms. He is on various advisory boards such as Janover Ventures, RocketLoans, Forbes Technology Council, American Fair Credit Council, Online Lending Policy Institute, Mosaic, and Blinker Inc. Timothy is a member of SJSU's Innovation Advisory Council, a lecturer at USC and a guest lecturer at Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

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 Davidson College of Engineering is orange.

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.

Hail, Spartans, Hail!

Hail, Spartans, Hail!—Hail, gold, blue and white!
We pledge our hearts and hands to keep thy colors ever bright.
Forward we go! We will not fail!
Sing to our Alma Mater,
Hail! Hail! Hail!
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