‘Lives of meaning and service’

California State University, Bakersfield will celebrate the community's next generation of leaders at two graduation ceremonies on Saturday, May 16.

The ceremonies will take place at the Dignity Health Arena, the first time that spring commencement exercises have been held at the downtown Bakersfield location in the history of Kern County's University.

"We have hosted our fall commencement ceremonies at the arena for several years, and we consistently receive glowing feedback from our graduates, their families and our community," said President Vernon B. Harper Jr. "We want to extend that joyous experience to our spring grads, while taking advantage of the indoor setting that shields us from the unpredictable Bakersfield weather. But no matter where we hold our ceremony, the destination of our Roadrunners is the same: lives of meaning and service on behalf of their families and communities."

For the 2026 spring semester, CSUB will confer 1,584 bachelor's degrees, 288 master's degrees,14 doctoral degrees in educational leadership, 406 teaching credentials and 56 additional teaching authorizations.

When added to the fall semester numbers, the total for the 2025-26 academic year is 2,499 bachelor's degrees, 409 master's degrees, 21 doctoral degrees in educational leadership and 513 teaching credentials and additional authorizations. The grand total for the year is 3,429 graduates ready to start their careers or continue their studies.

"Our outreach as Kern County's University is bearing fruit in enrollment and graduation rates," Dr. Harper said. "For too long, the majority of students in this region have not considered a university education an option. But the success of our graduates contradicts that assumption, and when a community increases the number of college degrees, prosperity and security follow."

During the morning ceremony, CSUB and the California State University system will confer an honorary doctorate upon Traco Matthews, a CSUB alumnus who has dedicated his career to advocating on behalf of equity and community belonging.

"Traco Matthews is hope and optimism personified," Dr. Harper said. "Though he uses his gifts and leadership in service to the entire community, Traco has a powerful calling to help our friends and neighbors who are often overlooked and marginalized. We are so proud to bestow this honor on a deserving steward of our community and friend to all."