News Summary
Vanguard University honored 514 graduates during a commencement ceremony at Mariners Church in Irvine. The event recognized undergraduate, professional education, and graduate students, highlighting their achievements amid challenges. Student speaker Amberly Gourlay reflected on her journey, while keynote speaker Howard Booker emphasized resilience. The ceremony celebrated the strong sense of community and support among graduates and their families.
Irvine, CA – Vanguard University celebrated its commencement ceremony on Thursday, awarding diplomas to a total of 514 graduates at Mariners Church in Irvine. The first part of the ceremony took place in the morning and included the graduation of 361 undergraduate students, who proudly walked across the stage to receive their diplomas.
University President Michael Beals took the stage to present the diplomas to the graduating students, marking a moment of accomplishment for the Class of 2025. The afternoon ceremony included an additional 53 professional education undergraduates and 100 graduate students, culminating in a significant milestone for the university.
Amberly Gourlay, the student speaker at the morning ceremony, exemplified the spirit and hard work of her peers. Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and political science, Gourlay also completed minors in theology and public policy. Originally from Alaska and raised in Durban, South Africa, she has fully embraced her time at Vanguard University over the past four years. During her time in university, Gourlay served as the student body president and actively participated in campus life as a College Corps resident and a resident assistant in Newport Hall. She plans to further her studies at Northeastern University in graduate school.
In her reflections, Gourlay expressed mixed emotions about leaving Vanguard, a community she stated felt like home. This sentiment resonated with many graduates as they celebrated their educational accomplishments in a supportive environment.
The commencement address was delivered by Howard Booker, a distinguished alumnus of Vanguard University and the executive director of the In-N-Out Burger Foundation. With a wealth of experience working with youth in foster care, Booker shared insights on resilience and the importance of overcoming challenges. He emphasized the necessity for graduates to recognize the difficulties they have faced while ensuring that these challenges do not dictate their future paths.
In addition to the messages conveyed through speeches and ceremonies, comments shared by attendees highlighted the significance of celebrating educational successes, especially in the context of global challenges that have impacted the academic journey of many students.
This year’s commencement stood out as a substantial event for Vanguard University, not only for the number of graduates but also for the overarching themes of resilience and community that permeated the ceremonies. The gathering of families, friends, and faculty created an atmosphere of joy and accomplishment, marking the end of a significant chapter for the graduates and the beginning of new opportunities.
As the Class of 2025 moves forward into the next phase of their lives, the memories and experiences gained during their time at Vanguard University will likely continue to shape their trajectories. The commencement ceremony is a reminder of the dedication and effort that students have invested in their education despite the challenges they faced along the way.
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Additional Resources
- OC Register: UCI to confer more than 8,600 degrees
- Wikipedia: Commencement
- LA Times: Vanguard University Graduation
- Google Search: Vanguard University graduation 2025
- NBC Los Angeles: Commencement Inside Prison Walls
- Google Scholar: Prison Education Programs
- OC Register: California AG Rob Bonta Commencement Address
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- LA Times: 14-Year-Old Math Prodigy at UCI
- Google News: UCI Math Prodigy
