On June 25, Drexel awarded 108 master’s level diplomas at the first-ever Commencement held at the Center for Graduate Studies in Sacramento.

The Commencement included students who enrolled in Drexel master’s degree programs in 2009. To date, Drexel has enrolled 424 students in its doctoral, master’s and post-baccalaureate programs in Sacramento since opening its Center for Graduate Studies in January 2009.

More than 700 people, including graduating students, their families and friends, Drexel alumni, Sacramento faculty and senior staff members, came together to celebrate the commencement and subsequent reception at Sacramento’s Crocker Art Museum.

“Two and a half years ago, Drexel University embarked on an innovative program to provide high-quality advanced degrees to working professionals in Northern California,” said Carl “Tobey” Oxholm III, former senior vice president of Drexel and the inaugural Dean of the Center for Graduate Studies. “These first graduates joined us, willing to be a part of creating something new for Drexel University, new for this community, and at the cutting edge in higher education.”

Michael Kieschnick, co-founder, president and chief executive officer of CREDO/Working Assets, delivered the keynote address. He was presented with an honorary doctorate of humane letters for his lifetime commitment to civic engagement and social justice.

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson also spoke at the event, and encouraged graduates to not be “satisfied with what you have done.”

“Leave here today knowing that you have the energy and attitude and ambition and the ability to be the kinds of leaders that our community desperately needs,” Johnson said. “I am proud to be an Honorary Member of the Inaugural Class of Drexel University in Sacramento. And we are very proud to welcome 100 Drexel graduates into our community. Go Dragons!”