HONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENTS


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
George L. Pla
Founder, President, and CEO of Cordoba Corporation

CSU Bio


Doctor of Letters
Guillermo “Willie” Zuniga
Retired, President of Grifols Biologicals LLC

CSU Bio

Doctor of Humane Letters
Salvador B. Castro (posthumous)
Teacher, educational reformer, social activist

CSU Bio


Doctor of Humane Letters
Richard Cordova
Retired, President of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

CSU Bio


Doctor of Fine Arts
David Henry Hwang
Playwright

CSU Bio


Doctor of Humane Letters
Jaime Jarrín
Spanish-language Announcer of the Los Angeles Dodgers

CSU Bio

Doctor of Humane Letters
Christine Devine
News anchor and children’s advocate

CSU Bio


Doctor of Fine Arts
José Quetzal Flores
Founder and leader of the East Los Angeles band, Quetzal

CSU Bio

Doctor of Humane Letters
Antonia Hernández
Civil rights attorney, immigration advocate, and community and philanthropic leader

CSU Bio

Doctor of Laws
Stewart Kwoh
Co-founder of Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles (AAAJ-LA)

CSU Bio

Doctor of Humane Letters
Thomas A. Saenz
President and General Counsel for MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund)

CSU Bio

Doctor of Humane Letters
Maria Contreras-Sweet
Former Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration

CSU Bio


Doctor of Humane Letters
Ofelia Esparza
Artist and Educator

CSU Bio


Doctor of Humane Letters
George H. Takei
Actor and activist

CSU Bio


Doctor of Fine Arts
Kent Twitchell
Artist

CSU Bio

Doctor of Humane Letters
Natividad "Nati" Cano
Grammy award winning musician/community leader

CSU Bio

Doctor of Humane Letters
Maria Elena Durazo
Civic leader/labor advocate

CSU Bio

Doctor of Humane Letters
John Mack
LA Urban League President

CSU Bio

Doctor of Humane Letters
Bishop Charles E. Blake
Pastor/Super Sunday partner

CSU Bio

Doctor of Humane Letters
Dionicio Morales
Founder, Mexican American Opportunity Foundation

CSU Bio

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