Congratulations and Thank You, Class of 2026! – A message from President Berenecea Johnson Eanes

So, who caught one of the tennis balls that Billie Jean King hit into the crowd during her Commencement ceremony?

That was truly one of the most joyful-and unique-moments I have experienced during all my years attending Commencement.

Billie Jean, who is 82 years young, celebrated the completion of her academic career by volleying dozens of autographed balls to her fellow Class of 2026 graduates in the lower bowl of the Shrine Auditorium to the accompaniment of "Philadelphia Freedom," a No. 1 song written by Elton John about her.

Billie Jean's larger-than-life presence was one of the highlights of Commencement 2026. During the three-day event comprised of nine college-based ceremonies, Cal State LA and the California State University Board of Trustees also conferred honorary doctorate degrees on community leaders Father Gregory Boyle and Omel Nieves, and I presented double alumna Capri Maddox with my Presidential Award. Billie Jean and Father Greg are both recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States' highest civilian honor.

But, of course, the true stars of Commencement were our 6,000 graduates and their families and friends, some of whom traveled from around the nation and from other countries to share in their graduates' accomplishments.

Our honorees shared sage words of advice to our graduates as they prepared to make their marks on the world.

"Today, stand and bask in the moment. Remember to stay connected to your Cal State LA family," said Capri, executive director of the Los Angeles Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department. "Friends, you can call us for help, or you can be the helper. Together we are stronger. We Are LA!"

Omel, a distinguished attorney who received an honorary Doctor of Laws, said: "When you make it-and you will-reach back. Because somewhere out there right now is another student, another young person, another 'diamond in the rough' who just needs one opportunity. Be the person who gives it."

Father Greg, founder of Homeboy Industries, the world's largest gang-intervention, rehabilitation, and re-entry program, implored the Class of 2026 to stand up for the less fortunate.

"Go from here and imagine a circle of compassion, and then imagine nobody standing outside that circle. You will go from here to dismantle the barriers that exclude and, to that end, you will stand with the poor, the powerless, and the voiceless," said Father Greg, who received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.

And then there was Billie Jean, who said the completion of her degree would be even more meaningful if just one person followed her lead.

"Most importantly," she said, "I hope I help motivate others to go forward in whatever they want. Sometimes, you just need one example."

Billie Jean attended our university from 1961 to 1964 but departed before completing her undergraduate degree to concentrate on her professional tennis career. Nearly two years ago, during the unveiling of her bronze statue on campus, she revealed that she was re-enrolling at Cal State LA to finish what she started more than six decades ago.

Billie Jean is a Cal State LA treasure, who continues to support the university in a multitude of ways. She has raised more than $4.5 million for Golden Eagles athletics through the Billie Jean King & Friends event. Recently, she served as keynote speaker at the inaugural Prison Graduation Initiative graduation at the California Institution for Women in Chino.

After all these years, she can now call herself a Cal State LA graduate.

Commencement is always a time of mixed emotions. We are ecstatic for our new graduates and the bright future ahead of them, but at the same time we are sorry to see members of our Cal State LA family go.

Golden Eagles, soar high and make us proud!

California State University, Los Angeles is the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles. Cal State LA is ranked number one in the United States for the upward mobility of its students. Cal State LA is dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good, offering nationally recognized programs in science, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education, and the humanities. Founded in 1947, the University serves more than 22,000 students and has more than 260,000 distinguished alumni.