For Cal State LA, 36 individuals have been recognized and honored for their exemplary contributions. The CSU Board of Trustees gave the degrees in the name of the California State University and California State University, Los Angeles.
Year Awarded
Doctor of Humane Letters
Kevin Xu
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the biotechnology company MEBO International Inc. and of Skingenix
Kevin Xu, a biotech industry leader and philanthropist, will receive an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters. He will also deliver the keynote address during the 9 a.m. ceremony on Tuesday, May 20. Xu is chief executive officer and chairman of the biotechnology company MEBO International Inc. and of Skingenix, a California-based organization working in the field of damaged organ regeneration. Xu was appointed by then President Biden as the Co-Chair of the Host Committee of APEC 2023 held in San Francisco. Xu also founded and is president of the National Rongxiang Xu Foundation.
Doctor of Fine Arts
Ken Jeong
Actor, comedian, producer, writer, and AAPI community advocate
Ken Jeong, an actor, comedian, producer, writer, and AAPI community advocate, will receive an honorary degree of Doctor of Fine Arts. He will also deliver the keynote address during the 5 p.m. ceremony on Tuesday, May 20. Known for his scene-stealing abilities, Jeong has established himself as one of today’s top comedic stars. Jeong has created memorable roles in both TV and film, most notably The Hangover franchise, Community, and Crazy Rich Asians. He also created, wrote, executive produced, and starred in ABC’s Dr. Ken. Jeong can currently be seen as a panelist on the hit FOX TV series The Masked Singer, and as the host and executive producer of I Can See Your Voice.
Doctor of Fine Arts
Jo Koy
Actor, stand-up comedian
Jo Koy, one of today’s premiere stand-up comedians, will receive an honorary degree of Doctor of Fine Arts. He will also deliver the keynote address during the 1 p.m. ceremony on Wednesday, May 21. Koy has built a strong global following with his success in the international comedy scene and is known for his relatable humor inspired by his Filipino American upbringing. He consistently ranks among the top 10 highest-grossing comedians, selling out arenas like The Kia Forum, Madison Square Garden, and the Mall of Asia Arena. His hit Netflix specials—including Live From Brooklyn, Comin’ In Hot, and Jo Koy: In His Elements—have reached global audiences and earned critical acclaim.
Doctor of Humane Letters
Salvador B. Castro (posthumous)
Teacher, educational reformer, social activist
Doctor of Humane Letters
Richard Cordova
Retired, President of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
Doctor of Fine Arts
David Henry Hwang
Playwright
Doctor of Humane Letters
Jaime Jarrín
Spanish-language Announcer of the Los Angeles Dodgers
Doctor of Humane Letters
Antonia Hernández
Civil rights attorney, immigration advocate, and community and philanthropic leader
Doctor of Laws
Stewart Kwoh
Co-founder of Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles (AAAJ-LA)
Doctor of Humane Letters
Thomas A. Saenz
President and General Counsel for MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund)
Doctor of Humane Letters
Natividad "Nati" Cano
Grammy award winning musician/community leader
Doctor of Humane Letters
Maria Elena Durazo
Civic leader/labor advocate
Doctor of Humane Letters
John Mack
LA Urban League President
Doctor of Humane Letters
Bishop Charles E. Blake
Pastor/Super Sunday partner
Doctor of Humane Letters
Dionicio Morales
Founder, Mexican American Opportunity Foundation
Doctor of Laws
Warren Christopher
Attorney and former United States Secretary of State
Doctor of Humane Letters
David C. Lizarraga
Founder & Chairman, TELACU Education Foundation
Doctor of Humane Letters
Raul Yzaguirre
Civil rights activist and former President and CEO of the National Council of La Raza
Doctor of Humane Letters
Harry P. Pachon
Latino scholar and activist
Doctor of Laws
Rosario Marin
Treasurer of the United States
Doctor of Humane Letters
Barry Munitz
Former Chancellor of the California State University
Doctor of Laws
Edward R. Roybal
Former U.S. House of Representative Member
Doctor of Fine Arts
Michael Feinstein
Singer and pianist
Doctor of Humane Letters
Billie Jean King
Tennis champion and social activist
Doctor of Humane Letters
Billy Barty
Actor and activist
Doctor of Humane Letters
Claudia H. Hampton
Former CSU Board of Trustee
Doctor of Humane Letters
Jaime A. Escalante
Bolivian-American educator
Doctor of Humane Letters
Augustus F. Hawkins
U.S. House of Representative Member
Doctor of Laws
Edmund G. Pat Brown
Former Governor of California
Doctor of Humane Letters
Francis Keppel
U.S. Commissioner of Education
Doctor of Humane Letters
Arnold J. Toynbee
Philosopher of History
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Commencement website last updated: April 30, 2025