Lights, Legacy, Commencement: The Class of 2025 Shines Bright
Westcliff’s Commencement Week 2025 marked an emotional turning point for hundreds of graduates. What began with a packed beachside dance floor at Friday’s Grad Night ended with caps in the air at the prestigious Costa Mesa’s Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. In between were moments of pride, reflection, and celebration that captured the heart of the Westcliff community.
For graduates, the week was a recognition of every late night, early morning, and challenge overcome. For families and faculty, it was a chance to cheer on hard-earned milestones. And for Westcliff’s staff and faculty, it was about honoring not just academic success but the global, determined spirit that defines the university.
President and CEO Dr. Anthony Lee summed it up best: “This week, we don’t just celebrate a graduation. We honor our transformation. You didn’t simply finish something. You became someone.”
And the celebration began, fittingly, with one unforgettable night.
Grad Night: Beachside Glam, Fun, and Community
On Friday, June 20, the Class of 2025 gathered at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort for an evening that felt more like a reunion than a formal send off. Grad Night was Westcliff’s way of saying: before the ceremony, let’s celebrate in style!
Students, faculty, and guests arrived to a lively setup with dinner, games, music, and no shortage of laughter. Westcliff’s own DJ Rich kept the playlist going while rounds of musical chairs and raffle prizes added to the momentum.
“It was really amazing and mind blowing,” said Mustafizur Rahaman, a graduate of the Master of Information Technology program. “There were games, dinner, dancing, and the decorations were awesome. It was fun-loving and exciting.”
Nancy Fugaha agreed: “Everybody was happy with the organization, with meeting all the professors. It was very well organized. Actually, if I wasn’t here, that would mean I missed a lot of the celebrations.”
Grad Night set the tone for what would become a weekend to remember. The Class of 2025 didn’t just show up for a diploma — they came to embrace the finish line to the fullest..
Commencement: Big Emotion in a Gorgeous New Venue
The main event arrived on Sunday, June 22, as graduates and their families gathered at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa. For some, it was the first time seeing classmates and faculty in person. For all, it marked the culmination of years of work, sacrifice, and growth.
Families traveled from across the globe, including India, Bangladesh, Canada, and Saudi Arabia, to witness the milestone. Outside, the courtyard buzzed with conversation and camera flashes. Grads posed for photos with loved ones, Westcliff banners, and, in some cases, larger-than-life pictures of themselves displayed on the spectacular venue’s atrium pillars.
Once guests took their seats and the lights dimmed, the tone shifted. Dr. Anthony Lee, Westcliff’s president and CEO, opened the day with a message that reflected both pride and possibility.
“This graduating class represents over 50 different countries. Each of you brings your own story, your own country, and your own hopes to this moment,” Dr. Lee said. “The world doesn’t need just new graduates. It needs new energy, new imagination, new voices. And lucky for us, you just showed up.”
Opening the Spotlight: Ceremony One Begins
The initial ceremony brought together graduates from the College of Education and the College of Technology and Engineering. Families found their seats, phones were raised, and the auditorium settled into anticipation.
After opening remarks from Dr. Lee and university leaders, Asheesh Advani, President and CEO of JA Worldwide, took the podium. His keynote urged students to shift their mindset from “I can’t” to “I can,” a message that hit home for many in the crowd.
MSIT graduate Asad Mohammed was one of them. “This day meant a lot to me,” he said. “My family came all the way from India. I’m the first in my family to graduate internationally and earn a master’s degree from the United States. Hearing that message gave me even more confidence for what’s next.”
The ceremony also recognized the people who supported students along the way. Matt Hall, husband of graduate Sarab Samarah, shared what the day meant for their family. “We both work full time and have small children. It’s quite an undertaking to complete a degree with all that going on,” he said. “She constantly tells me how happy she is with the level of instruction and the support she’s received. I’m incredibly proud of her.”
The ceremony then shifted to a moment of reflection. A posthumous degree was awarded to Adiba Anam Achol, MSCS, met with a standing ovation that filled the hall.
Several final recognitions closed out the first ceremony, highlighting the impact and potential of Westcliff’s graduating class. Fariha Ashrafi, MSIT, received the inaugural Harris-Cooper Rising Groups in STEM Scholarship. And, Ali Veral, MATESOL, was honored with the Dr. John Lee Legacy of Leadership Award for his commitment to education and the Westcliff community.
The Dr. David C. McKinney Scholarship was also awarded to two exceptional students: Nafis Anjum, MSIT, and Ahmad Ali Hasan Abu Hammour, MSCS.
With the first ceremony complete, the spotlight turned to the graduates of the College of Business.
Continuing the Celebration: Ceremony Two Takes the Stage
The second ceremony recognized graduates from the College of Business and carried forward the momentum from earlier in the day. Families reassembled, cameras resumed flashing, and graduates took their seats for another round of tributes and triumphs.
This time, the keynote address came from Kelly Michelena, Director of Business Development for GenAI Partnerships at Meta. Drawing from her diverse career across tech, media, and entrepreneurship, she spoke about the power of curiosity and resilience — and why innovation matters more than ever.
As the ceremony moved toward its final recognitions, several graduates were honored for their achievements and leadership. Jie Xu, MBA, received the Harris-Cooper Rising Groups in STEM Scholarship, while Tima Al Tayan, MBA, was presented with the Dr. David C. McKinney Transformational Impact Award for her leadership and service to the Westcliff community.
The Dr. David C. McKinney Scholarship was also awarded to three outstanding MBA students: Tuan Nguyen, Adriana Peter, and Pragya Sharma.
After the awards and recognitions, Dr. Lee returned to close the day with a message that resonated deeply: “You said yes to education. You said yes to your future. And you said yes to building something bigger than fear.”
With that, tassels turned and caps flew — marking not just the end of the ceremony, but the beginning of a new chapter.
The Journey Ahead
Commencement Week may have come to a close, but the impact of this milestone will continue to ripple forward. Each graduate crossed the finish line not just with a degree but with a new perspective and a community that believes in their potential.
To every graduate and every family who walked this journey together: thank you. Westcliff is proud to have been part of your story and even more excited to watch you write the next chapter.
Now go create change and chase purpose. The world is yours.
Graduation Night 2025
Commencement 2025