California Lutheran University Commencement Celebrates 1,077 Graduates

The theme of the 63rd annual California Lutheran University commencement ceremony on May 15 is “Where Dreams Take Flight.” It reflects the high achievements of the class of 2026 and Morten Lauridsen, regarded as one of the country’s top living vocal composers. Cal Lutheran awarded Lauridsen an honorary doctorate this spring for his lifetime of achievement in music and his tireless commitment to elevating students, musicians and people’s listening experiences.

At the commencement ceremony in William Rolland Stadiumon the Thousand Oaks campus, students Harriet Chilton (’26), soprano, and Jack Thompson (’28), cello, will perform Lauridsen’s composition “Sure on This Shining Night” accompanied by pianist Soon Kim.

“For decades, Morten Lauridsen’s music has stirred the human spirit — offering beauty, reflection and a sense of the sacred to listeners around the world. We are honored to confer upon him an honorary doctorate,” President John Nunes said. “It is our hope that the class of 2026 dreams boldly and bestows their gifts upon the world, just as Dr. Lauridsen has.” 

During his lauded career,Lauridsen was named an “American Choral Master” by the National Endowment for the Arts and was awarded the National Medal of Arts. He has also received several Grammy Award nominations. Lauridsen’s works have been recorded on more than 200 CDs. He was the composer-in-residence of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, and for over 40 years has been a distinguished professor of composition at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music.    

The Undergraduate Commencement at 8:30 a.m. will honor 648 undergraduates, including 48 in the Bachelor’s Degree for Professionals program. Graduate Commencement at 2:30 p.m. will honor 429 students, including 396 earning master’s degrees and 37 receiving doctorates. 

Ann Boynton,chair of the Board of Regents, will provide the greeting at the ceremonies, and Kelly Culwell (’95), MD, MPH, president of the Alumni Board of Directors, will present the alumni induction.

Ashlyn Bryson-Beane, Associated Students of California Lutheran University Government (ASCLUG) president, will offer a welcome at the undergraduate ceremony.

The featured undergraduate ceremony speakers are Manuel Vega and Abigail Marin Iniestra.

Bryson-Beane is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology with an emphasis in family and child development applications and a minor in criminal justice. A former foster youth, she was a Student Life intern in the Center for Cultural Engagement and Inclusion, and served in student government all four years. As an ASCENSO Scholar, she participated in undergraduate research related to system-involved youth. She will pursue a master’s degree in leadership, policy and advocacy for early childhood well-being at Boston University.

Vega is graduating from the Bachelor’s Degree for Professionals program with a degree in psychological and behavioral science. Raised in Oxnard’s La Colonia neighborhood, he served in the Marine Corps and with the Los Angeles and Oxnard police departments. Vega founded the mentorship program Pedaling Against Youth Violence and Anacapa Water Blasting, Inc., a service-disabled veteran-owned business. He and his family started the nonprofit Save Our Servicemembers and the Patrick Vega Swim Scholarship. 

Iniestra is graduating with bachelor’s degrees in criminology and criminal justice and Spanish, and a minor in legal studies. She is a low-income, first-generation Mexican-American student who is actively involved on campus as a senior senator, co-president of Women in Law and president of the Languages and Cultures Club. She is a legal intern for a professor in the criminology department and hopes to support the Latino community by becoming a prosecuting attorney and a Spanish-language interpreter in the court system.

The graduate ceremony featured speakers are Elicia Faith Morman and Megan Fischer.

After nearly a decade teaching in the community college district, Fischer joined the Psychology Department at Cal Lutheran in 2020. She advises The Hidden Opponent Club (dedicated to student-athlete mental health) and is president of the Graduate and Professional Student Council and director of Retention and Transition Programs.

Morman earned a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from Cal Lutheran in 2009 and is graduating with her Executive MBA. She serves as an executive administrative partner to the global operations director in Eaton’s Aerospace Division. Morman also serves on the executive board of Women of Substance and Men of Honor and is dedicated to supporting foster and at-risk youth in both Ventura and L.A. counties by providing housing, mentorship and job coaching for young adults transitioning out of care. 

The guest speaker at the commencements will be Joel Silva, chief financial officer for Vallarta Supermarkets, a privately held company with 64 stores throughout central and southern California and in Phoenix. He serves as an independent board member for the fintech company Viamericas Corp. and as an advisory board member for Cal Lutheran’s School of Management.

Cal Lutheran is located at60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks. For more information, visit CalLutheran.edu/commencement or email commencement@callutheran.edu.