News Summary
Vanguard University held its commencement ceremony at Mariners Church, graduating 514 students in total. The event featured notable speeches, including one from student body president Amberly Gourlay. In addition, the university announced a new initiative to combat human trafficking in local schools, supported by a significant grant. This program aims to educate high school students about the dangers of human trafficking and provide resources for prevention.
Irvine, California – Vanguard University celebrated its commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 4, 2025, at Mariners Church, ushering in the graduation season. A total of 514 students officially graduated during the event, which took place in two separate ceremonies throughout the day.
The morning ceremony saw 361 undergraduate students from the Class of 2025 receive their diplomas. The afternoon session included an additional 153 graduates, consisting of 53 professional education undergraduates and 100 graduate students. University President Michael Beals was responsible for presenting the diplomas to the graduates, recognizing their hard work and achievements throughout their academic journeys.
Among the notable graduates was Amberly Gourlay, the student body president, who spoke at the morning ceremony. Gourlay completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in history and political science, along with minors in theology and public policy. Originally from Alaska and raised in Durban, South Africa, Gourlay shared her mixed emotions about leaving Vanguard, describing the university as a familiar and safe space for her. Following graduation, she plans to attend graduate school at Northeastern University on the East Coast.
The commencement address was delivered by Howard Booker, who graduated with an MBA from Vanguard in 2008. Currently serving as the executive director of the In-N-Out Burger Foundation, Booker is actively involved in supporting youth in foster care. His message to the graduates emphasized resilience, reminding them that their hardships should not define their futures.
In addition to the graduation ceremonies, Vanguard University announced a new initiative aimed at raising awareness and preventing human trafficking in local public schools. The Global Center for Women and Justice has launched a three-year pilot program named “Safe Communities, Safe Kids,”, funded by a substantial $825,000 grant from the Samueli Foundation. As part of this initiative, Vanguard students, through their involvement in the “Live2Free” human trafficking awareness club, are conducting presentations to local high school students to educate them about the serious issue of human trafficking.
Recently, the first presentations took place in a freshman health class at Westminster High School. During these sessions, students were informed about two primary types of human trafficking – labor trafficking and sex trafficking. The discussions included scenarios and methods for identifying “red flags” that may indicate harmful situations. This educational effort coincides with findings from the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force’s 2023 Victim Report, which revealed that two out of five sex trafficking victims are minors, with female minors accounting for 32% of all identified victims.
To facilitate engagement and feedback, the peer educators involved in the program underwent extensive training, totaling 40 hours. They also implemented feedback mechanisms that encourage students to anonymously ask questions or disclose any concerns through sticky notes. This approach aims to create a safe and open environment for students to discuss an often discomforting topic.
As Vanguard University honors its graduates and launches impactful initiatives, it continues to play a significant role in fostering education and addressing pressing social issues within the community.
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HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Vanguard University Kicks Off Graduation Season
- Google Search: Vanguard University graduation 2025
- Orange County Register: Vanguard University Celebrates Its Class of 2022
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Human Trafficking
- Los Angeles Times: Vanguard Peer Educators Teach About Human Trafficking
- Google News: Human Trafficking Awareness
