California Assemblyman Evan Low will speak at De Anza College’s first indoor spring commencement ceremony at the City National Civic Center on June 27 to honor an estimated 300 to 500 graduates.

The venue change from De Anza’s football field will require students to limit guests to five, pay for parking at the Civic Center and purchase caps and gowns by June 24 to ensure an accurate headcount.

“The biggest difference we have is that we haven’t had a limit on tickets before this year,” said Donna Jones-Dulin, associate vice president of college operations. “We didn’t have to have a limit before because it was at an outside venue.”

The changes to the venue were made because of the expected heat in late June, Jones-Dulin said.

“We’ve really tried to organize it and get out there and provide information on the website, especially this year, since we are in a new venue,” said Paula Joseph, senior administrative assistant of college operations.

Low, a former De Anza student and political science professor, will deliver the keynote speech to graduating students at the ceremony.

“The fact that [Low] is a De Anza alumni is a big deal. Students seem to relate better to students that went to De Anza. We try to bring them back,” Joseph said.

Low currently represents District 28 in the California State Assembly and he is the youngest Asian-American legislator to be elected into state assembly in California history.

“Adversity builds character,” Low said when asked what words of advice he wished he was given at his own commencement ceremony.
“I know many students that are facing challenges, whether they are the first in their family to graduate, working two jobs or single mothers struggling to get through college and provide for their families,” Low said.

The ceremony will honor students from varying degrees, ages and backgrounds.

“Our goal is to make it an enjoyable and memorable experience for the students,” said Joseph. “It’s about the students.”

Students can file for a degree by submitting a degree audit report to the admissions and records drop box by June 26 to participate in the spring ceremony.

“These graduates are examples of types of success we need not only in Silicon Valley, but all over California,” Low said.