Cal State LA will mark the beginning of the 2025-26 academic year with a landmark joint event: the University Convocation and the Investiture of Dr. Berenecea Johnson Eanes, the university\u2019s ninth president and the first woman to hold the position.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The event will take place on Monday, August 18, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex and will bring together more than 1,200 students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members under the theme, \u201cWe Are LA: Empowering Dreams, Transforming Lives.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The morning program will open the academic year with a celebration of academic excellence, including the announcement of the President\u2019s Distinguished Professor, Outstanding Professor, and Outstanding Lecturer Awards. The centerpiece of the event will be the Investiture of Dr. Eanes, symbolizing her formal installation as the university\u2019s leader and the continuation of Cal State LA\u2019s legacy of equity, excellence, and engagement.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Appointed in January 2024, Eanes is a nationally recognized higher education leader and a professor of social work. She previously served as president of York College, City University of New York. A hallmark of her leadership is her commitment to an inclusive community that reflects Cal State LA\u2019s values and mission\u2014not just for the campus, but for the city and region it serves.\u00a0<\/p>\n
During the investiture ceremony, California State University Chancellor Mildred Garc\u00eda will formally present Eanes with the university medallion, the official symbol of the presidency. Eanes will deliver the keynote address, sharing her vision for Cal State LA\u2019s future and her commitment to transforming lives through higher education.\u00a0<\/p>\n
To reflect the vibrant diversity of the university and its surrounding communities, the celebration will include dynamic performances by students, alumni, and local partners.\u00a0A student from the university\u2019s Prison Graduation Initiative will perform an original spoken-word piece inspired by the event\u2019s theme. Music will be provided by Mariachi Las Mariposas, the first all-female high school mariachi group in the nation, based at Garfield High School\u2014a school that has deep ties with Cal State LA.\u00a0<\/p>\n
NBC\/Telemundo meteorologist and singer Belen De Leon will perform the national anthem, and FOX 11 anchor Christine Devine will join the academic procession. The lively Second Line Jazz Band will lead the recessional of the platform guests for a spirited finale reminiscent of New Orleans celebrations. A post-ceremony reception will include light refreshments and a performance by Cal State LA\u2019s Afro Latin\u00a0Ensemble at the Luckman Street of the Arts. \u00a0<\/p>\n
During the afternoon, the university will host a Benefit Luncheon in support of student scholarships and faculty research. Sponsoring the luncheon offers a meaningful opportunity to contribute to Cal State LA\u2019s mission of educational equity, academic excellence, and community impact.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In recognition of this historic milestone, a series of events will continue throughout the fall semester. On Wednesday, August 20, Cal State LA will host the Ultimate \u201cWe Are LA\u201d Campus Celebration, a festive gathering designed to bring the campus community together. The event will feature live music, games, food trucks, and cultural programming that highlight the creativity and diversity of Cal State LA. Infused with the rhythm, flavor, and spirit of Los Angeles, the celebration will offer an unforgettable experience for students, faculty, and staff. There will also be a student art exhibit inspired by the event\u2019s theme, reflecting the voices and talents of the university community.\u00a0<\/p>\n
On Friday, August 22, Cal State LA Day at City Hall will include a formal presentation by Los Angeles Councilmember Isabel Jurado, who will honor Eanes with a city proclamation recognizing her visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to educational equity. Prior to the recognition, Cal State LA will host a breakfast for City Hall alumni and special guests. Guest speakers include Cal State LA alums Capri Maddox, executive director of the\u00a0Los Angeles Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department, and George Pla, president of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commission and CEO of Cordoba Corporation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Additionally, the university will host the inaugural We Run LA Cross Country Invitational on Saturday, August 30, beginning at the Jesse Owens Track and Field at University Stadium. Co-sponsored by Cal State LA and Loyola High School, the event will welcome high school athletes from across Los Angeles and feature a community run open to Cal State LA students, faculty, staff, alumni, and local residents. The invitational highlights the university\u2019s commitment to health, wellness, and youth engagement through meaningful partnerships with local schools and neighborhoods.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Later this fall, Cal State LA will host We Are LA\u2013Community Weekend, which will begin on Friday, October 10, with a special evening honoring esteemed Cal State LA alumnus, actor, philanthropist, Academy Award nominee, and activist Edward James Olmos. The event will include a reception, film screening, and a conversation with Olmos.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The celebration will continue Saturday, October 11, with a campuswide community festival that is free and open to the surrounding communities, followed by the university\u2019s participation in CicLAvia: Heart of LA on Sunday, October 12. The CicLAvia route will connect Westlake, Downtown LA, Chinatown, Little Tokyo, the Arts District, and Boyle Heights\u2014neighborhoods that reflect the rich cultural tapestry of Los Angeles and the communities Cal State LA proudly serves.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The presidential investiture of Eanes is more than a ceremonial milestone\u2014it is a bold reaffirmation of Cal State LA\u2019s mission to empower students and uplift the diverse communities it serves. The university invites the Cal State LA community and the greater Los Angeles region to take part in this celebration of leadership, legacy, and transformative opportunity.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n