It's a beautiful Saturday morning, May 26, 2023. The sun is shining bright, the location is the historic Scottish Rite Center across from picturesque Lake Merritt, and a bunch of people wearing fancy caps and gowns, dressed in their best, along with lots of proud family and friends, all gathered around clapping and cheering. It is the most awaited day in a student's college life: Graduation Day.
On the steps of the Scottish Rite Center, a 1927 building with Italian Renaissance style detailing, Lincoln University faculty, students, family, and friends celebrated by clicking pictures in graduation attire. Then, everyone lined up and walked in to take their seats in the huge auditorium.
Keynote speaker, Dr. Philip B. Stark, a UC Berkeley Professor of Statistics, shared stories to inspire the graduating Class of 2023. Entertainment throughout the Commencement Ceremony was provided by student performers, including songs by Victoria Martynova & Ebubechukwu Obioma and Sajis Salim Sohan. Degrees were conferring by Dr. John Siebel, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Finally, we were inspired by speeches from the Class of 2023 Valedictorians: Zarafshaan Nadeem (MBA), Ebubechukwu Obioma (BA), Xiaokai Zheng (BS), and Deon White (MBA). We concluded the ceremony with a closing speech by Dr. Mikhail Brodsky, President of Lincoln University.
