Commencement

2022 Soka graduates toss their caps in the air

Jun 21, 2022 6 Min Read

Soka’s 2022 Commencement: A Joyful Ceremony Celebrating Mission-Driven Graduates

As an overcast morning in Aliso Viejo gave way to sunshine, the skies seemed to know it was time to celebrate after a challenging few years. Soka University of America’s 2022 commencement ceremony on ...

Mar 11, 2022 2 Min Read

Nobel Laureate Shirin Ebadi Announced as SUA’s 2022 Commencement Speaker

Soka University of America announced Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi as keynote speaker of the 2022 commencement ceremony. The ceremony, which will be SUA's first in-person commencement since ...

Jun 2, 2021 8 Min Read

Class of 2021’s Resilience Celebrated in Virtual Commencement Ceremony

Called to action by a 92-year-old American civil rights icon, the Soka University of America 2021 graduates celebrated from worldwide locations in a virtual commencement attended by hundreds of studen...

May 28, 2019 1 Min Read

Graduation of Katarina Hou, Class of 2019

SUA would like to recognize the graduation of Katarina Hou, class of 2019, who has been an invaluable member of the SUA community.

Apr 18, 2019 2 Min Read

Leymah Gbowee, Nobel Peace Laureate, to be Commencement Speaker at Soka University

SUA's President Daniel Habuki is honored to announce that Leymah Gbowee, the 2011 Nobel Peace Laureate and Liberian peace activist, will be SUA’s 2019 commencement speaker.

Orlando Bloom speaks to the Class of 2025 during SUA's Commencement Ceremony.

May 23, 2025 10 Min Read

2025 Commencement Address by Orlando Bloom

May 23, 2025

"One thing is clear, young people everywhere need someone to truly hear them. A single moment of genuine connection can alter a person’s destiny. It can transform a time of deep darkness into a spark ...

May 25, 2024 15 Min Read

2024 Commencement Address by Stephen S. Dunham

Free Speech: Dialogue, Democracy, and Community

I believe that freedom of speech – the right of individuals to express their individual viewpoints no matter how unpopular -- is necessary for constructive dialogue and constructive dialogue is in tur...

Wanjira Mathai addresses the audience during the 2023 Commencement Ceremony

Jun 8, 2023 16 Min Read

2023 Commencement Address by Wanjira Mathai

May 26, 2023

So now graduates, it's your turn, to take up the cause for global citizenship that has been passed on to you by your mentors, your professors, your friends, you are absolutely ready. Go forth and shin...

Aerial Drone image of Soka University of America's campus during sunset with a pink and purple sky

May 26, 2023 4 Min Read

Founder's Message - 19th Commencement Ceremony

Message from SUA Founder Daisaku Ikeda to the Class of 2023

Immeasurable potential lies dormant within the great earth of every individual’s sublime life.

Shirin Ebadi gives her 2022 Commencement Speech

Jun 8, 2022 5 Min Read

2022 Commencement Address by Dr. Shirin Ebadi

May 27, 2022

Let’s spread friendship like the wind. Let’s sow the seed of collaboration like the earth. Let’s give like the sun. Let’s fight injustice and prejudice angrily and fiercely. Let’s be kind to each othe...