For Cal State LA, 39 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
Father Greg Boyle
Founder and Director of Homeboy Industries
Father Gregory Boyle is a Jesuit priest, author, and nationally respected community leader best known as the founder of Homeboy Industries, the world’s largest gang intervention and rehabilitation program. For decades, he has dedicated his life to helping formerly incarcerated individuals and those impacted by gang violence find healing, support, and new opportunities through education, job training, and compassion. Widely admired for his message of kinship, hope, and human dignity, Father Boyle has inspired communities across the country through his advocacy, writing, and lifelong commitment to social justice and transformation.
Doctor of Laws
Omel Nieves
Senior Shareholder at Hunt, Ortmann, Nieves, Darling, Mah, Klein & Lozano, Inc.
Omel Nieves is a dedicated leader, mentor, and advocate for student success whose work has made a lasting impact on the Cal State LA community. Known for his commitment to empowering students through guidance, support, and meaningful opportunities, he has helped foster an environment centered on growth, leadership, and inclusion. Widely respected for his collaborative spirit and passion for mentorship, Nieves continues to inspire students and colleagues alike through his service, leadership, and dedication to higher education.
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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