Commencement

SUA Graduates wearing a mix of colorful clothes under their black graduation gowns throw their caps into the air in celebration.

Jun 2, 2026 7 Min Read

‘Hearteners of the World’: SUA Commencement Celebrates the Class of 2026

“Our story starts now,” said Marcos Vinicius Reginaldo de Souza, M.A. ’26, giving voice to the palpable excitement in the room as he addressed his fellow graduates during commencement on May 22.Friend...

A woman with brown hair in a ponytail and wearing glasses speaks with her hands. Out-of-focus students are in the background listening sitting in front of a wall-sized navy, gold, and green world map.

Apr 24, 2026 3 Min Read

Sarah Ann Wider Named SUA's 2026 Commencement Speaker

Soka University of America has announced Dr. Sarah Ann Wider, emerita professor of English and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies at Colgate University, as the keynote speaker for its 2026 commenc...

SUA's Class of 2025 smile and throw their caps in the air after commencement.

Jun 10, 2025 7 Min Read

‘We Are Radically Resilient’: SUA Awards Degrees to Class of 2025

“You all are the hope for humanity, who desire peace,” said Soka University of America President Edward Feasel, addressing the graduates at the start of their commencement ceremony on May 23. Friends ...

Four members of SUA's Class of 2025 smile in their cap and gown during commencement day.

Jun 9, 2025 1 Min Read

SUA to the World: Student Voices on Commencement Day

On Commencement Day, we spoke to Class of 2025 graduates about their favorite memories, future plans, and what the Soka community means to them. These stories reveal how four years at SUA shaped not j...

Orlando Bloom poses in a tuxedo at an event. Photo by Valery Hache/AFP via Getty Images

Apr 10, 2025 2 Min Read

Orlando Bloom Announced as Soka University of America’s 2025 Commencement Speaker

Soka University of America announced actor and humanitarian Orlando Bloom as keynote speaker of the 2025 commencement ceremony, which is scheduled for 2 p.m. May 23 in the Soka Performing Arts Center....

SUA graduates raise their arms in celebration during the 2024 Commencement Ceremony

Jun 6, 2024 4 Min Read

Behind the Scenes: The Making of an Unforgettable Commencement Weekend

More than 1,000 visitors are welcomed onto campus during commencement weekend each year, greeted by a pristine campus, delicious meals, tour guides at the ready, and a myriad of Soka faculty and staff...

2024 SUA Graduates toss their caps in the air in celebration of commencement

Jun 5, 2024 6 Min Read

From Adversity to Achievement: Soka’s 2024 Commencement Honors Graduates' Journeys

As a gray canopy of clouds blanketing Aliso Viejo parted to reveal a brilliant, sun-lit afternoon, the skies seemed to join in the celebration of this year’s Soka University of America graduates. More...

Apr 22, 2024 2 Min Read

SUA Board of Trustees Chair Stephen Dunham Announced as 2024 Commencement Speaker

Soka University of America announced Board of Trustees Chair Stephen Dunham as keynote speaker of the 2024 commencement ceremony, which is scheduled for 2 p.m. May 24 in the Soka Performing Arts Cente...

Soka's Class of 2023 throws their graduation caps in the air in celebration

Jun 5, 2023 6 Min Read

Soka’s 2023 Commencement: Emerging Victorious

SUA founder Daisaku Ikeda perfectly captured the spirit of the 19th Commencement Ceremony in his message to the Class of 2023, calling the day a “song of epic triumph.” The cool and cloudy afternoo...

Wanjira Mathai smiles. She has short hair and long, dangly red earrings.

Mar 16, 2023 3 Min Read

African Luminary Wanjira Mathai Is 2023 Soka Global Citizen Award Winner and Commencement Speaker

Soka University of America has named Wanjira Mathai recipient of the 2023 Soka Global Citizen Award for her decades of advocating for social and environmental change on both local and international pl...