/ en /news-events/news/hearteners-world-sua-commencement-celebrates-class-2026 <div class="news news--teaser node node--type-news node--view-mode-rss col-12 col-lg-4"> <div class="news__media media"> <div> <a href="/news-events/news/hearteners-world-sua-commencement-celebrates-class-2026"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news__teaser/public/images/2026-06/052226_COMMENCEMENT-MI-124.jpg?h=a141e9ea&amp;itok=oVhtXoC1" width="400" height="283" alt="SUA Graduates wearing a mix of colorful clothes under their black graduation gowns throw their caps into the air in celebration."></a> </div> <div class="news__pub-info"> <div class="news__pub-date"> Jun 02, 2026 </div> </div> </div> <div class="news__caption caption"> <div class="news__title"> <a href="/news-events/news/hearteners-world-sua-commencement-celebrates-class-2026" hreflang="en">‘Hearteners of the World’: SUA Commencement Celebrates the Class of 2026</a> </div> <div class="news__summary"> <p> “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 </p> </div> </div> </div> Mon, 01 Jun 2026 22:52:33 +0000 atice 28915 at /news-events/news/sarah-ann-wider-named-suas-2026-commencement-speaker <div class="news news--teaser node node--type-news node--view-mode-rss col-12 col-lg-4"> <div class="news__media media"> <div> <a href="/news-events/news/sarah-ann-wider-named-suas-2026-commencement-speaker"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news__teaser/public/images/2026-05/110425_WIDER-CLASSVISIT-WP-04_0.JPG?h=3eb886ac&amp;itok=iXfuQ4rt" width="400" height="283" alt="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."></a> </div> <div class="news__pub-info"> <div class="news__pub-date"> Apr 24, 2026 </div> </div> </div> <div class="news__caption caption"> <div class="news__title"> <a href="/news-events/news/sarah-ann-wider-named-suas-2026-commencement-speaker" hreflang="en">Sarah Ann Wider Named SUA's 2026 Commencement Speaker</a> </div> <div class="news__summary"> <p> ������Ů 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 </p> </div> </div> </div> Fri, 24 Apr 2026 22:21:04 +0000 ahenderson 28900 at /news-events/news/we-are-radically-resilient-sua-awards-degrees-class-2025 <div class="news news--teaser node node--type-news node--view-mode-rss col-12 col-lg-4"> <div class="news__media media"> <div> <a href="/news-events/news/we-are-radically-resilient-sua-awards-degrees-class-2025"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news__teaser/public/images/2025-06/052325_COMMENCEMENT-WP-48.JPG?h=60f9f39d&amp;itok=NsHUmC3X" width="400" height="283" alt="SUA's Class of 2025 smile and throw their caps in the air after commencement."></a> </div> <div class="news__pub-info"> <div class="news__pub-date"> Jun 10, 2025 </div> </div> </div> <div class="news__caption caption"> <div class="news__title"> <a href="/news-events/news/we-are-radically-resilient-sua-awards-degrees-class-2025" hreflang="en">‘We Are Radically Resilient’: SUA Awards Degrees to Class of 2025</a> </div> <div class="news__summary"> <p> “You all are the hope for humanity, who desire peace,” said ������Ů of America President Edward Feasel, addressing the graduates at the start of their commencement ceremony on May 23. Friends </p> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 10 Jun 2025 18:45:27 +0000 atice 28640 at /news-events/news/sua-world-student-voices-commencement-day <div class="news news--teaser node node--type-news node--view-mode-rss col-12 col-lg-4"> <div class="news__media media"> <div> <a href="/news-events/news/sua-world-student-voices-commencement-day"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news__teaser/public/images/2025-06/052325_COMMENCEMENT-WP-14.JPG?h=60f9f39d&amp;itok=gQptK8y1" width="400" height="283" alt="Four members of SUA's Class of 2025 smile in their cap and gown during commencement day."></a> </div> <div class="news__pub-info"> <div class="news__pub-date"> Jun 09, 2025 </div> </div> </div> <div class="news__caption caption"> <div class="news__title"> <a href="/news-events/news/sua-world-student-voices-commencement-day" hreflang="en">SUA to the World: Student Voices on Commencement Day</a> </div> <div class="news__summary"> <p> 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 </p> </div> </div> </div> Mon, 09 Jun 2025 20:55:59 +0000 atice 28637 at /news-events/news/orlando-bloom-announced-soka-university-americas-2025-commencement-speaker <div class="news news--teaser node node--type-news node--view-mode-rss col-12 col-lg-4"> <div class="news__media media"> <div> <a href="/news-events/news/orlando-bloom-announced-soka-university-americas-2025-commencement-speaker"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news__teaser/public/images/2025-04/OB%20Bio%20Photo%20-%20GettyImages-1235453345.jpg?h=f0948cd9&amp;itok=_zaCr1Dk" width="400" height="283" alt="Orlando Bloom poses in a tuxedo at an event. Photo by Valery Hache/AFP via Getty Images"></a> </div> <div class="news__pub-info"> <div class="news__pub-date"> Apr 10, 2025 </div> </div> <div> <div>News Image Caption</div> <div>Photo by Valery Hache/AFP via Getty Images</div> </div> </div> <div class="news__caption caption"> <div class="news__title"> <a href="/news-events/news/orlando-bloom-announced-soka-university-americas-2025-commencement-speaker" hreflang="en">Orlando Bloom Announced as ������Ů of America’s 2025 Commencement Speaker</a> </div> <div class="news__summary"> <p> ������Ů 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 </p> </div> </div> </div> Thu, 10 Apr 2025 20:53:34 +0000 atice 28596 at /news-events/news/behind-scenes-making-unforgettable-commencement-weekend <div class="news news--teaser node node--type-news node--view-mode-rss col-12 col-lg-4"> <div class="news__media media"> <div> <a href="/news-events/news/behind-scenes-making-unforgettable-commencement-weekend"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news__teaser/public/images/2024-06/baumanphotographers_030.jpg?h=ac778ff2&amp;itok=TjX4Hdg_" width="400" height="283" alt="SUA graduates raise their arms in celebration during the 2024 Commencement Ceremony"></a> </div> <div class="news__pub-info"> <div class="news__pub-date"> Jun 06, 2024 </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-paragraphs field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-above news__paragraphs field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--popup-gallery paragraph--view-mode--default popup-gallery"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12"> <div class="popup-gallery__images"> <div class="mfp-field mfp-all-items" data-vertical-fit="true"> <div> <a href="/sites/default/files/styles/1200wide/public/pop-gallery/baumanphotographers_003.jpg?itok=ljCIBEcX"><img class="mfp-thumbnail" src="/sites/default/files/styles/220_square/public/pop-gallery/baumanphotographers_003.jpg?h=ac778ff2&amp;itok=ZBbmMT2U" width="220" height="220" alt="The Commemorative 2024 Class Photo in front of the fountain at Peace Lake" title="The Commemorative 2024 Class Photo in front of the fountain at Peace Lake" loading="lazy"> </a> </div> <div> <a href="/sites/default/files/styles/1200wide/public/pop-gallery/baumanphotographers_054.jpg?itok=m70hT4OZ"><img class="mfp-thumbnail" src="/sites/default/files/styles/220_square/public/pop-gallery/baumanphotographers_054.jpg?h=ac778ff2&amp;itok=ew4zHPyw" width="220" height="220" alt="Graduates and their families and friends enjoy the commencement reception after the ceremony" title="Graduates and their families and friends enjoy the commencement reception after the ceremony" loading="lazy"> </a> </div> <div> <a href="/sites/default/files/styles/1200wide/public/pop-gallery/baumanphotographers_038.jpg?itok=uuZ1tJsb"><img class="mfp-thumbnail" src="/sites/default/files/styles/220_square/public/pop-gallery/baumanphotographers_038.jpg?h=ac778ff2&amp;itok=KXx7wwsm" width="220" height="220" alt="A graduate wearing her cap and gown smiles at the camera after commencement" title="A graduate wearing her cap and gown smiles at the camera after commencement" loading="lazy"> </a> </div> <div> <a href="/sites/default/files/styles/1200wide/public/pop-gallery/baumanphotographers_012.jpg?itok=kBlP92GL"><img class="mfp-thumbnail" src="/sites/default/files/styles/220_square/public/pop-gallery/baumanphotographers_012.jpg?h=ac778ff2&amp;itok=LNugdyHf" width="220" height="220" alt="Members of the SUA Choir perform during the 2024 Commencement Ceremony" title="Members of the SUA Choir perform during the 2024 Commencement Ceremony" loading="lazy"> </a> </div> <div> <a href="/sites/default/files/styles/1200wide/public/pop-gallery/432A936320190115__Marina_Inoue-min.jpg?itok=2ovpFJgY"><img class="mfp-thumbnail" src="/sites/default/files/styles/220_square/public/pop-gallery/432A936320190115__Marina_Inoue-min.jpg?h=d639a8e7&amp;itok=BbJzgE6e" width="220" height="220" alt="Two graduates wearing their cap and gown and holding flowers and their diplomas smile for the camera after the commencement ceremony" title="Two graduates wearing their cap and gown and holding flowers and their diplomas smile for the camera after the commencement ceremony" loading="lazy"> </a> </div> <div> <a href="/sites/default/files/styles/1200wide/public/pop-gallery/20240524__Q0A1410_Leticia Silva-min.jpg?itok=ETHpPqj2"><img class="mfp-thumbnail" src="/sites/default/files/styles/220_square/public/pop-gallery/20240524__Q0A1410_Leticia%20Silva-min.jpg?h=8106dffe&amp;itok=BEi6qYct" width="220" height="220" alt="A graduate has a lei placed on him by a friend" title="A graduate has a lei placed on him by a friend" loading="lazy"> </a> </div> <div> <a href="/sites/default/files/styles/1200wide/public/pop-gallery/432A939120190115__Marina_Inoue-min.jpg?itok=tzoOxEi_"><img class="mfp-thumbnail" src="/sites/default/files/styles/220_square/public/pop-gallery/432A939120190115__Marina_Inoue-min.jpg?h=4428f04e&amp;itok=GLBSXEq-" width="220" height="220" alt="A graduate and their friend take a selfie in front of Peace Lake following commencement" title="A graduate and their friend take a selfie in front of Peace Lake following commencement" loading="lazy"> </a> </div> <div> <a href="/sites/default/files/styles/1200wide/public/pop-gallery/baumanphotographers_046.jpg?itok=JPEEbZRx"><img class="mfp-thumbnail" src="/sites/default/files/styles/220_square/public/pop-gallery/baumanphotographers_046.jpg?h=ac778ff2&amp;itok=5XNLfxWQ" width="220" height="220" alt="A family dressed in traditional formal attire smiles with their graduate after the commencement ceremony" title="A family dressed in traditional formal attire smiles with their graduate after the commencement ceremony" loading="lazy"> </a> </div> <div> <a href="/sites/default/files/styles/1200wide/public/pop-gallery/432A935820190115__Marina_Inoue-min.jpg?itok=kznEcdF7"><img class="mfp-thumbnail" src="/sites/default/files/styles/220_square/public/pop-gallery/432A935820190115__Marina_Inoue-min.jpg?h=bb3a9e88&amp;itok=AymuhY5p" width="220" height="220" alt="A graduate smiles looking up at the graduation balloons she's holding after commencement" title="A graduate smiles looking up at the graduation balloons she's holding after commencement" loading="lazy"> </a> </div> <div> <a href="/sites/default/files/styles/1200wide/public/pop-gallery/052524_ALUMNI-MEETING-WP-15.JPG?itok=2s_afAD5"><img class="mfp-thumbnail" src="/sites/default/files/styles/220_square/public/pop-gallery/052524_ALUMNI-MEETING-WP-15.JPG?h=f62330b1&amp;itok=AdWgLw0t" width="220" height="220" alt="Executive Director of Philanthropy Linda Kennedy hugs a student at the 2024 Alumni Meeting" title="Executive Director of Philanthropy Linda Kennedy hugs a student at the 2024 Alumni Meeting" loading="lazy"> </a> </div> <div> <a href="/sites/default/files/styles/1200wide/public/pop-gallery/052524_ALUMNI-MEETING-VL-5.jpg?itok=Gm8qScno"><img class="mfp-thumbnail" src="/sites/default/files/styles/220_square/public/pop-gallery/052524_ALUMNI-MEETING-VL-5.jpg?h=a141e9ea&amp;itok=PcgIH9br" width="220" height="220" alt="Alumni members and their families check in during the 2024 Alumni Meeting" title="Alumni members and their families check in during the 2024 Alumni Meeting" loading="lazy"> </a> </div> <div> <a href="/sites/default/files/styles/1200wide/public/pop-gallery/052524_ALUMNI-MEETING-WP-60.JPG?itok=XFfmugxJ"><img class="mfp-thumbnail" src="/sites/default/files/styles/220_square/public/pop-gallery/052524_ALUMNI-MEETING-WP-60.JPG?h=092b6e07&amp;itok=eb1xBPOD" width="220" height="220" alt="A group photo of SUA Alumni during the 2024 Alumni Meeting" title="A group photo of SUA Alumni during the 2024 Alumni Meeting" loading="lazy"> </a> </div> <div> <a href="/sites/default/files/styles/1200wide/public/pop-gallery/432A940020190115__Marina_Inoue-min.jpg?itok=YPu0Wyly"><img class="mfp-thumbnail" src="/sites/default/files/styles/220_square/public/pop-gallery/432A940020190115__Marina_Inoue-min.jpg?h=746b1fd8&amp;itok=i4WzDjPh" width="220" height="220" alt="A graduate takes a selfie holding up her diploma with her family after commencement" title="A graduate takes a selfie holding up her diploma with her family after commencement" loading="lazy"> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="news__caption caption"> <div class="news__title"> <a href="/news-events/news/behind-scenes-making-unforgettable-commencement-weekend" hreflang="en">Behind the Scenes: The Making of an Unforgettable Commencement Weekend</a> </div> <div class="news__summary"> <p> 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 </p> </div> </div> </div> Wed, 05 Jun 2024 21:39:27 +0000 atice 28329 at /news-events/news/adversity-achievement-sokas-2024-commencement-honors-graduates-journeys <div class="news news--teaser node node--type-news node--view-mode-rss col-12 col-lg-4"> <div class="news__media media"> <div> <a href="/news-events/news/adversity-achievement-sokas-2024-commencement-honors-graduates-journeys"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news__teaser/public/images/2024-06/052424_������ŮGRAD24-WP-224.JPG?h=cb7b63f3&amp;itok=PhClnyvW" width="400" height="283" alt="2024 SUA Graduates toss their caps in the air in celebration of commencement"></a> </div> <div class="news__pub-info"> <div class="news__pub-date"> Jun 05, 2024 </div> </div> </div> <div class="news__caption caption"> <div class="news__title"> <a href="/news-events/news/adversity-achievement-sokas-2024-commencement-honors-graduates-journeys" hreflang="en">From Adversity to Achievement: Soka’s 2024 Commencement Honors Graduates' Journeys</a> </div> <div class="news__summary"> <p> 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 ������Ů of America graduates. More </p> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 04 Jun 2024 20:20:05 +0000 atice 28324 at /news-events/news/sua-board-trustees-chair-stephen-dunham-announced-2024-commencement-speaker <div class="news news--teaser node node--type-news node--view-mode-rss col-12 col-lg-4"> <div class="news__media media"> <div> <a href="/news-events/news/sua-board-trustees-chair-stephen-dunham-announced-2024-commencement-speaker"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news__teaser/public/images/2024-04/Stephen%20Dunham2xEXT.png?h=e9b4c8b9&amp;itok=rGROqhNN" width="400" height="283" alt="Headshot of Board of Trustees Chair Stephen Dunham"></a> </div> <div class="news__pub-info"> <div class="news__pub-date"> Apr 22, 2024 </div> </div> </div> <div class="news__caption caption"> <div class="news__title"> <a href="/news-events/news/sua-board-trustees-chair-stephen-dunham-announced-2024-commencement-speaker" hreflang="en">SUA Board of Trustees Chair Stephen Dunham Announced as 2024 Commencement Speaker</a> </div> <div class="news__summary"> <p> ������Ů 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 </p> </div> </div> </div> Mon, 22 Apr 2024 23:04:29 +0000 atice 28298 at /news-events/news/sokas-2023-commencement-emerging-victorious <div class="news news--teaser node node--type-news node--view-mode-rss col-12 col-lg-4"> <div class="news__media media"> <div> <a href="/news-events/news/sokas-2023-commencement-emerging-victorious"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news__teaser/public/images/2023-06/20230526__L2A4371_Sachie-Yabe.jpg?h=10d202d3&amp;itok=UzzIyGID" width="400" height="283" alt="Soka's Class of 2023 throws their graduation caps in the air in celebration"></a> </div> <div class="news__pub-info"> <div class="news__pub-date"> Jun 05, 2023 </div> </div> </div> <div class="news__caption caption"> <div class="news__title"> <a href="/news-events/news/sokas-2023-commencement-emerging-victorious" hreflang="en">Soka’s 2023 Commencement: Emerging Victorious </a> </div> <div class="news__summary"> <p> 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 afternoon </p> </div> </div> </div> Mon, 05 Jun 2023 21:18:24 +0000 atice 28078 at /news-events/news/african-luminary-wanjira-mathai-2023-soka-global-citizen-award-winner-and <div class="news news--teaser node node--type-news node--view-mode-rss col-12 col-lg-4"> <div class="news__media media"> <div> <a href="/news-events/news/african-luminary-wanjira-mathai-2023-soka-global-citizen-award-winner-and"><img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news__teaser/public/images/2023-03/wanjiracropped.jpg?h=24ad28c8&amp;itok=dfwwbrOv" width="400" height="283" alt="Wanjira Mathai smiles. She has short hair and long, dangly red earrings."></a> </div> <div class="news__pub-info"> <div class="news__pub-date"> Mar 16, 2023 </div> </div> </div> <div class="news__caption caption"> <div class="news__title"> <a href="/news-events/news/african-luminary-wanjira-mathai-2023-soka-global-citizen-award-winner-and" hreflang="en">African Luminary Wanjira Mathai Is 2023 Soka Global Citizen Award Winner and Commencement Speaker</a> </div> <div class="news__summary"> <p> ������Ů 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 </p> </div> </div> </div> Thu, 16 Mar 2023 18:36:33 +0000 atice 28008 at