Buddhist Soka University of America Celebrates First Commencement

May 23, 2005

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/montereyherald/news/politics/11719504.

On May 23, 2005 The Associated Press reported, "the first 100 students to complete undergraduate study at the Buddhist Soka University of America have received their diplomas. In a commencement ceremony Sunday, 100 of the school's first 120 students wore caps, gowns and stoles identifying them as the 'first graduating class of 2005.' The school is affiliated with Soka Gakkai International, a lay Buddhist organization based in Japan. The Aliso Viejo campus sits on 103 acres of land overlooking the city and will soon include a graduate program. Many graduates say they enrolled four years ago because they wanted to be part of the founding class, help establish campus traditions and create clubs and organizations. Some students say it was a challenge at first to live in a Buddhist environment."