Students at The Chicago School learn in cities across the country, but several times annually, the community joins together in person to celebrate students’ accomplishments at the university’s nationwide series of commencement ceremonies.
On May 3, 2024, the university’s Southern California community gathered at the Terrace Theater in Long Beach to honor the accomplishments of 243 new graduates from across 20 different academic programs.
“As part of this ceremony, we had 147 students self-identify as first-gen with a special regalia cord, and we provided veteran student-specific cords for the first time,” Alyssa Hill, Ed.D., senior director of Student Life and Wellness, said. “It means so much to be able to see the immense diversity of our student community represented through culturally resonant regalia as well. It’s a real testament to our community’s commitment to making all students feel at home here.”
In the student address to the graduates, Dr. Shelly Abernathy, a new graduate of the Psy.D. Marital and Family Therapy program highlighted the resilience of this group of graduates, stating, “With every obstacle in our path, we dug deeper, found strength in our vulnerabilities, and emerged better and stronger.”
Dr. Abernathy went on to demonstrate the continued importance of that resilience in the path ahead. “Let us be guided by the understanding that adversity is not the end of our story, but just a chapter in the narrative of our lives,” she said. “Let us lean into the challenges ahead with courage, believing we possess the power and tenacity to overcome anything that comes our way.”
Upon graduating from The Chicago School, these 243 students are also welcomed into the university’s dynamic community of alumni, with opportunities to continue to build professional skills and networks through events hosted in cities throughout the country.
Ted Scholz, Ph.D., vice president of Academic Affairs, said, “The Chicago School’s commencement ceremonies really speak to our core values of education, innovation, community, and impact. By gathering together at these celebrations, we honor not only students’ innovative academic excellence, but the commitment to community impact that they will carry forward into their future careers.”