Photos: Cool and creative graduation caps at CSUN commencement ceremonies

California

On four recent May days when most of us were making a meal, commuting, or relaxing, the colleges of California State University, Northridge, held seven commencement ceremonies on the lawn in front of the University Library.

From May 19 through May 22, students cheered on their favorite professors speaking at the dais or shouted across the seating aisles when they spotted their parents or friends. But a whole lot of high-energy communicating was silent — stuck atop their heads.

Nobody seems to know who invented the very first messaging on graduation caps, though many would probably like take credit for that bit of genius.

Students’ messages were pinned, sewn, pasted, or painted onto their graduation caps, including “The Best Things Come to Those Who Don’t Give Up” and “One Eternity Later, Class of 2023.”

Students were laughing and showing off their customized graduation caps, which a long time ago were known as mortarboards.

This collection of some of the best artwork, creativity and brain power displayed atop graduation caps at CSUN were seen at the commencement ceremony for the Colleges of Engineering and Computer Science and of Science and Mathematics, on Friday, May 19, and at the commencement ceremony for the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communications on Monday, May 22.

  • A decorated graduation cap is worn by a graduate during...

    A decorated graduation cap is worn by a graduate during the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communications commencement ceremony at California State University, Northridge May 22, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)

  • A decorated graduation cap is worn by a graduate during...

    A decorated graduation cap is worn by a graduate during the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communications commencement ceremony at California State University, Northridge May 22, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)

  • Graduates during the commencement ceremony for California State University Northridge’s...

    Graduates during the commencement ceremony for California State University Northridge’s Colleges of Engineering and Computer Science and of Science and Mathematics in Northridge, Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Graduates during the commencement ceremony for California State University Northridge’s...

    Graduates during the commencement ceremony for California State University Northridge’s Colleges of Engineering and Computer Science and of Science and Mathematics in Northridge, Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • A decorated graduation cap is worn by a graduate during...

    A decorated graduation cap is worn by a graduate during the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communications commencement ceremony at California State University, Northridge May 22, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)

  • A decorated graduation cap is worn by a graduate during...

    A decorated graduation cap is worn by a graduate during the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communications commencement ceremony at California State University, Northridge May 22, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)

  • A decorated graduation cap is worn by a graduate during...

    A decorated graduation cap is worn by a graduate during the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communications commencement ceremony at California State University, Northridge May 22, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)

  • Graduates during the commencement ceremony for California State University Northridge’s...

    Graduates during the commencement ceremony for California State University Northridge’s Colleges of Engineering and Computer Science and of Science and Mathematics in Northridge, Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Christian Laforteza wears a decorated graduation cap for the Mike...

    Christian Laforteza wears a decorated graduation cap for the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communications commencement ceremony at California State University, Northridge May 22, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)

  • Graduates during the commencement ceremony for California State University Northridge’s...

    Graduates during the commencement ceremony for California State University Northridge’s Colleges of Engineering and Computer Science and of Science and Mathematics in Northridge, Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • A decorated graduation cap is worn by a graduate during...

    A decorated graduation cap is worn by a graduate during the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communications commencement ceremony at California State University, Northridge May 22, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)

  • A decorated graduation cap is worn by a graduate during...

    A decorated graduation cap is worn by a graduate during the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communications commencement ceremony at California State University, Northridge May 22, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)

  • Graduates during the commencement ceremony for California State University Northridge’s...

    Graduates during the commencement ceremony for California State University Northridge’s Colleges of Engineering and Computer Science and of Science and Mathematics in Northridge, Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • Graduates during the commencement ceremony for California State University Northridge’s...

    Graduates during the commencement ceremony for California State University Northridge’s Colleges of Engineering and Computer Science and of Science and Mathematics in Northridge, Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

  • A decorated graduation cap is worn by a graduate during...

    A decorated graduation cap is worn by a graduate during the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communications commencement ceremony at California State University, Northridge May 22, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)

  • Graduates during the commencement ceremony for California State University Northridge’s...

    Graduates during the commencement ceremony for California State University Northridge’s Colleges of Engineering and Computer Science and of Science and Mathematics in Northridge, Friday, May 19, 2023. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

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