Beneath the morning sun and framed by the historic rotunda of Los Angeles City Hall, a sense of homecoming filled the air. Golden Eagles from across the city—alumni, students, staff, faculty, and civic leaders—gathered on Aug. 22, 2025, for Cal State LA Day at City Hall, an event that honored the University’s legacy and looked ahead to a future built on transformation, equity, and community.
This was not just a celebration. It was a statement of purpose and unity, a city and its University coming together.
Hosted just steps from Grand Park in the City Hall forecourt, the morning began with a networking breakfast where Cal State LA alumni—many now working in City Hall itself— greeted each other like old friends. At the center of it all was Capri Maddox, executive director of the Los Angeles Civil and Human Rights and Equity Department, who served as mistress of ceremonies and reminded guests of their shared roots.
Deep, Enduring Ties
“Who else here is a Cal State LA alum?” she asked.
Hands flew up. Cheers followed.
The moment underscored what the day was all about: the University’s deep and enduring ties to the heart of Los Angeles.
During the morning program, ASI President Arwa Hammad shared how the theme of the academic year, Transforming Lives and Empowering Dreams, inspires her as a student leader.
“It’s more than a slogan,” she said. “It’s a vision I carry with me every day as I represent our students. It gives me hope and motivation as we start this new year together.”
Her remarks set the tone for a day dedicated to civic engagement, community uplift, and institutional pride.
A City’s Recognition—and a University’s Resolve
Following the breakfast, guests made their way to the John Ferraro Council Chamber, where Councilmember Ysabel Jurado presented a city resolution recognizing Cal State LA’s profound contributions to Los Angeles and celebrating the historic Investiture of Berenecea Johnson Eanes as the University’s ninth—and first woman— president.
“Cal State LA has been recognized as the No. 1 university in the nation for social mobility,” Jurado said. “In Cal State LA, real lives are changed, real families are empowered, and real communities are transformed.”
Standing before a chamber filled with Golden Eagles, President Eanes reflected on the University’s mission and its role in the civic fabric of Los Angeles.
“Los Angeles is home to 8,000 current Cal State LA students, 700 faculty and staff, and more than 115,000 alumni,” she said. “Those alumni are teaching in our schools, leading nonprofits, building businesses, and shaping the future of our city.”
She spoke passionately about “stewardship of place”—a theme she introduced during her Investiture. “Cal State LA does not just sit on a hilltop. We are of Los Angeles. Our partnerships, clinics, and classrooms extend across neighborhoods and institutions. When our students succeed, our communities rise with them. That’s the bond we celebrate today.”
Golden Eagles Leading the Way
The celebration was also a showcase of alumni excellence. George Pla, founder and CEO of the nationally recognized Cordoba Corporation, delivered powerful remarks that reflected his commitment to civic leadership and educational equity.
A proud Cal State LA alumnus and honorary doctorate recipient, Pla now serves as president of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commission, board chair of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, and board member of the LA28 Olympic Organizing Committee.
“Cal State LA has always been more than a university—it’s a launchpad for changemakers,” Pla said. “We are building Los Angeles together, one dream at a time.”
Among the many alumni in attendance was Jacqueline Vernon Wagner, a City Hall manager whose journey began in the 1980s as a clerk typist and Cal State LA accounting student.
“The education meant everything to me,” Wagner said. “It was the foundation of my career and the friendships that still sustain me.”
Double alumna Maddox reflected on her own journey—one shaped by resilience, family, and the unwavering support of Cal State LA.
“I was only supposed to work for the City of Los Angeles part- time, making $9.08 an hour for six months,” she said with a smile. “That was in 1992. It’s been a long six months.”
She spoke openly about housing insecurity in her youth and how the University helped her rise above it.
“Before any mayor or city attorney gave me a shot, Cal State LA saw my promise,” she said. “The University lifted me, it took me in, and it was creative in supporting me. I see myself in today’s students. And I see hope in President Eanes.”
Maddox continued: “She is a force—an inequity buster—for
the children of our gardeners, our cooks, our caretakers. She is building a more just Los Angeles. As the head of the LA civil rights department, I could not be prouder of her leadership. We are here to support President Eanes because We Are LA.”
A New Era in Civic Partnership
Cal State LA Day at City Hall was one of three of events that launched the academic year and the Eanes presidency, alongside Convocation and Investiture. More than a ceremonial milestone, it was a rallying cry for deeper collaboration between the University and the city it serves.
It was a reminder that Cal State LA is not waiting for the future to arrive—it is shaping it, with every graduate, every partnership, and every opportunity to transform lives.
