By Cal State LA News Service
Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel for MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), was awarded an honorary doctorate during the 2017 Commencement at California State University, Los Angeles.
A distinguished civil rights attorney and longtime champion for diversity and social justice, Saenz has been a leading advocate for Latino and immigrant communities and has strived to ensure educational opportunities for all Americans.
During the Saturday afternoon ceremony, California State University Trustee Silas H. Abrego noted Saenz’s many accomplishments and contributions.
“In recognition of his distinguished career, his contributions to social justice, and his role as an advocate for educational opportunity, the Board of Trustees of the California State University and California State University, Los Angeles are proud to confer upon Thomas A. Saenz the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters,” Abrego said.
During his keynote address, Saenz urged graduates to “live each day of your post-graduate careers with appropriate audacity.”
“I mean not only that you pursue with vigor your ambitions…but to change our nation and our world for the better,” Saenz said to graduates of the College of Natural and Social Sciences.
“But I also mean with appropriate audacity that you begin tomorrow, and pursue every day, committed to speaking your truth, acquired through your education and experience, and speaking on behalf of your community. You all know that you graduate in interesting and challenging times.”
Saenz attended public schools in neighborhoods served by Cal State LA, and he graduated summa cum laude from Yale University. He earned a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School.
He was a leader in the successful legal challenge to California's divisive Proposition 187, which sought to deny public benefits to undocumented immigrants but was ruled unconstitutional. Saenz also served as MALDEF's lead counsel in two court challenges to California's Proposition 227, an English-only education initiative. He has litigated numerous other civil rights case in the areas of immigrants' rights, education, employment and voting rights.
Saenz was selected as one of Hispanic Business Magazine's “100 Top Influentials.” He received the Professional Achievement Award from the Mexican American Bar Foundation, and the National Hispanic Bar Association presented him with the Ohtli Award, which recognized his public service on behalf of Mexican American communities.
William A. Covino, president of Cal State LA, said Saenz’s deep commitment to ensuring educational opportunities for all parallels the work of the University.
“Thomas Saenz embodies Cal State LA’s mission of engagement, service, and the public good,” Covino said. “We are pleased and proud to confer upon him a Doctor of Humane Letters.”
The May 20 ceremony was the second of nine that will run through Monday evening. More than 4,700 Cal State LA students will receive diplomas during the three days. The ceremonies take place as the University celebrates its 70th anniversary.
Photo: MALDEF President Thomas A. Saenz was conferred an honorary degree during the Commencement ceremony for the College of Natural and Social Sciences. (Credit: Tyrone D. Washington/Cal State LA)
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Cal State LA is ranked number one in the nation based on the upward mobility of its students. Founded in 1947, Cal State LA is the premier public comprehensive university in the heart of Los Angeles and is dedicated to the mission of engagement, service, and the public good. The University serves more than 27,000 students and more than 247,000 distinguished alumni, who are as diverse as the region we serve. Led by an award-winning faculty, the University offers nationally recognized programs in science, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education and the humanities.
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