California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA) is gearing up for an extraordinary celebration marking the beginning of the 2025-26 academic year. This historic event will combine the University Convocation with the Investiture of Dr. Berenecea Johnson Eanes, the ninth president of the university and the first woman to assume this role.
Scheduled for Monday, August 18, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex, the event is anticipated to draw over 1,200 attendees, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the community. The theme for this momentous occasion? “We Are LA: Empowering Dreams, Transforming Lives.”
The morning will kick off with a celebration of academic excellence, which includes the much-anticipated announcement of the President’s Distinguished Professor, Outstanding Professor, and Outstanding Lecturer Awards. Central to the event will be the formal Investiture of Dr. Eanes, symbolizing her official installation as the leader of Cal State LA and demonstrating the university’s ongoing commitment to equity, engagement, and academic excellence.
Dr. Eanes has an impressive background as a renowned higher education leader and professor of social work, having previously served as president of York College at the City University of New York. Her leadership style is characterized by a dedication to fostering an inclusive community that embodies the values and mission of Cal State LA, not just for the campus but for the wider city and greater region it serves.
During the investiture ceremony, the California State University Chancellor, Mildred García, will formally present Dr. Eanes with the university medallion. This medallion serves as the official symbol of the presidency. In her keynote address, Dr. Eanes is expected to unveil her vision for Cal State LA’s future, emphasizing her commitment to transforming lives through higher education.
In an effort to capture the vibrant diversity of the university and its surrounding neighborhoods, the event will feature performances from students, alumni, and local partners. A student from the university’s Prison Graduation Initiative will present an original spoken-word piece inspired by the theme. Music will be provided by Mariachi Las Mariposas, notable for being the first all-female high school mariachi group in the nation and based at Garfield High School, a school with established ties to Cal State LA.
The event will also include the performance of the national anthem by NBC4 Today in LA meteorologist and singer Belen De Leon, who will serve as the mistress of ceremonies. FOX 11 anchor Christine Devine, who has received an honorary doctorate from Cal State LA, is expected to participate in the academic procession. The lively Second Line Jazz Band will conclude the ceremony with a spirited recessional reminiscent of celebratory traditions in New Orleans, adding a festive air to the day’s events.
Following the ceremony, attendees can look forward to a post-event reception featuring light refreshments and a performance by the Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble at the Luckman Street of the Arts.
In the afternoon, Cal State LA will sponsor a Benefit Luncheon aimed at supporting student scholarships and faculty research initiatives. This luncheon presents an important opportunity for contributions towards Cal State LA’s mission of educational equity, community impact, and academic excellence.
A series of events will follow in celebration of this historic milestone throughout the fall semester. On Wednesday, August 20, the university will host the Ultimate “We Are LA” Campus Celebration, aimed at community engagement. This festive gathering will include live music, games, food trucks, and cultural programming to highlight the creativity and diversity that define Cal State LA.
Additionally, students will showcase their talents through an art exhibit designed around the event’s theme, granting voice to the creative expressions within the campus community.
On Friday, August 22, Cal State LA Day at City Hall will feature a formal recognition by Los Angeles Councilmember Ysabel Jurado. She will honor Dr. Eanes with a city proclamation celebrating her visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to educational equity. Before this recognition, the university will host a breakfast for alumni and special guests featuring notable Cal State LA alumni such as Capri Maddox and George Pla as guest speakers.
As the month progresses, the university will also present the inaugural We Run LA Cross Country Invitational on Saturday, August 30. This event will take place at Jesse Owens Track and Field at University Stadium, co-sponsored by Cal State LA and Loyola High School. It will welcome high school athletes from across Los Angeles and include a community run open to Cal State LA students, faculty, staff, alumni, and local residents, emphasizing the university’s commitment to health, wellness, and youth engagement.
Later in the fall, Cal State LA will continue its celebrations with We Are LA–Community Weekend. Activities will kick off on Friday, October 10, with a special evening honoring esteemed Cal State LA alumnus Edward James Olmos, an acclaimed actor, philanthropist, Academy Award nominee, and activist. This special event will feature a reception, a film screening, and a discussion with Olmos.
The festivities will extend into Saturday, October 11, with a campus community festival open to the public, followed by Cal State LA’s participation in CicLAvia: Heart of LA on Sunday, October 12. This event will connect various neighborhoods that encapsulate the rich cultural diversity of Los Angeles, reinforcing the deep community ties fostered by Cal State LA.
The presidential investiture of Dr. Eanes represents more than just a ceremonial occasion; it embodies a strong reaffirmation of Cal State LA’s mission to empower students while uplifting the diverse communities it serves. The university warmly invites the Cal State LA community and the greater Los Angeles region to partake in this momentous celebration of leadership, legacy, and transformative educational opportunities.
image source from：news
