Over 2,395 degrees were awarded to the class of 2020 California State University Monterey Bay.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a mandatory shelter-in-place, California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB) postponed commencement. Even though the university will celebrate the class of 2020 in a traditional commencement once large gatherings are allowed, students were celebrated virtually.
Graduates shared their journey, achievements and the struggles they faced through their college journey with the Californian.
Noah Thompson
Thompson is from Spring Valley, San Diego. He graduated with a bachelor’s in Computer Science.
While at CSUMB, He was involved with various campus organizations. President of Rho Beta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., resident advisor for three years, a member of the NAACP, and Financial Officer for Multicultural Greek Council.
“I am the second person in the entirety of my family, upon both of my generations to graduate college,” he said. “It’s been a big celebration back here. I’ve gotten a lot of cards, a lot of love because only me and my mom have ever done it.”
Thompson said he was happy to follow in his mother has always been a big influence in his life.
“The biggest challenge I faced as a college student was the lack of support for my community,” he said. “There wasn’t a large very strong black community and we were very hard to find in the first years. A lot of teachers didn’t support black students or were openly discriminatory to us so it made it difficult to get in the grove of really getting this college thing done.”
Despite the adversity, Thompson said he formed many lasting friendships.
“I think it was the greatest thing I got from college was meeting new people who I could just really relate to,” he said.
What’s next?
Noah is currently applying, interviewing, and searching for a job in his industry.
