East Ventura News

California Lutheran University is set to honor its Class of 2024, comprised of 1,031 graduates, at the upcoming commencement ceremonies. The university will hold the ceremonies on May 10 at the William Rolland Stadium on the Thousand Oaks campus.

Cal Lutheran President, Lori E. Varlotta, emphasized the theme of "Stay Curious" for the graduates, highlighting the importance of asking probing questions and exploring complex issues. Varlotta expressed confidence that the graduates will carry this spirit of curiosity into their future endeavors.

Among the distinguished speakers at the ceremonies are Mia Deck, President of the Associated Students of California Lutheran University Government, and Yulissa Alvarado Morales, Chair of the Graduate and Professional Student Council. Morales will deliver her remarks in Spanish, adding a touch of inclusivity to the event.

Two notable undergraduate speakers are Anthony Jay Garay and Jessica Kelly Stratton. Garay, a first-generation Latino student, is graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry and molecular biology. He aspires to pursue a career in healthcare driven by compassion and scientific rigor. On the other hand, Stratton, a mother of five with a full-time job, is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. She plans to continue her studies at Cal Lutheran for a Master of Science degree in counseling.

The graduate ceremony speaker, Amanda Castellanos-Rodriguez, is a notable figure with a background in sociology and professional writing. With a Master of Science degree in counseling and pupil personnel services from Cal Lutheran, Castellanos-Rodriguez is ready to embark on her journey as a K-12 school counselor.

The Class of 2024 at California Lutheran University represents a diverse student body, with 40% of students identifying as Latine. While a majority of the graduates are from California, the university also welcomes students from various states across the U.S. and countries around the world.

For more information about the commencement ceremonies, interested individuals can visit CalLutheran.edu/commencement or reach out to commencement@callutheran.edu.