Cultural Celebrations

Published May 23, 2019
By By Andrew Edwards

Cultural Graduation Celebrations have been part of Cal State Long Beach’s commencement traditions for more than 30 years.

The first ceremony of its kind, honoring the campus’ African American graduates, took place in 1988. This year, the campus hosted eight cultural events, beginning with the Pacific Islander Graduation Celebration and Luau on April 27.

Cultural events resumed the weekend before Commencement Ceremonies. The Black, Pilipino and Vietnamese graduation celebrations took place on Saturday, followed by the American Indian, Cambodian and Chicano/Latino ceremonies on Sunday. The Lavender Graduation Celebration, recognizing LGBTQIA+ students, wrapped up this year’s cultural celebrations on Monday evening.

Photo Galleries

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African American Celebration

Two women wearing graduation regalia and smiling at the 2019

An enthusiastic audience in the stands at the 2019 Black Gr

A woman participating in the 2019 Black Graduation Celebrati

A women wears African dress and holds the flag of Eritrea at

About 1,400 graduates participated in this year’s cultural ceremonies, during which they and their family members celebrated their accomplishments in atmospheres filled with art, dance and music.

Pilipino Celebration

A graduate holds hands with a woman at the Pilipino Graduati

A woman in the audience at the Pilipino Graduation Celebrat

A man embraces a graduate at the Pilipino Graduation Celebr

A graduate and a woman stand shoulder-to-shoulder while smi

Pacific Islander Celebration

A male dancer gestures with his arms in the air while kneeli

A dancer wearing a traditional costume performs on a floor l

Women wearing grass skirts dance at the Pacific Islander Gr

A woman wearing a lei and grass skirt dances at the Pacific

Vietnamese Celebration

An audience cheers for costumed dancers at the Vietnamese G

A view of two Vietnamese Graduation Celebration participant

A smiling woman holds flowers and her certificate while anot

A man sitting at the end of a row of graduates attending the

Cambodian Celebration

Two men perform with hand drums at the Cambodian Graduation

A man uses his mouth to hold a large drum in the air at the

Men performing with hand drums at the Cambodian Graduation

A large group of graduates, some of whom are displaying cert

Lavender Celebration

Three graduates wearing elaborately-decorated caps stand sid

Two graduates stand side-by-side at the Lavender Graduation

A view of two graduates' caps during the Lavender Graduation

A mariachi band performs during the Lavender Graduation Cel

Native American / Alaska Native Celebration

A person wearing traditional attire in front of an eagle st

A graduate shakes hands with a woman at the Native American

An eagle staff can be seen in front of the audience attendi

A graduate embraces a woman on stage at the Native American

Chicano-Latino Celebration

A crowd of graduates at the Chicano/Latino Graduation Celeb

A large group of graduates standing together at the Chicano

A woman dances while wearing a red dress with stripes of man

Rows of graduates sit while attending the Chicano/Latino Gra