Commencement Speaker: Howard Welinsky ’72
Howard Welinsky is the former Senior Vice President/Administration for Warner Bros. Distributing. His career at Warner Bros. spanned 42 years, where he rose through the ranks from Sales Analyst. He is active in Democratic Party politics, having served on the State Democratic Central Committee since 1977 and chairing the Platform Committee for the past ten years. He has been a delegate to three National Democratic Conventions and served on the Platform Committee for four others. He has long advocated for his twin passions of higher education and Israel. Welinsky served on the California Postsecondary Commission for 11 years, and he co-founded the California Coalition for Public Higher Education. He lives in Toluca Lake with his wife Karren Ganstwig, also a UCLA alum. They were married on campus.
What has UCLA meant to you?
I have always been proud of my UCLA degree. UCLA is such a special place that combines the pursuit of truth and excellence with great humanity. It’s a place where so many first-generation students like me are given a chance to soar.
Commencement live stream will be available at the department’s Facebook page here
The College of Letters and Science Commencement Contact Information page contains multiple links to Message Center topic queues: http://www.college.ucla.edu/commencement/help/contact/
Information for graduates and guests the day of commencement:
On Sunday, June 16, 2019, graduates assemble at the LATC (Los Angeles Tennis Center). Please arrive by 8:00 AM. Enter through GATE B off Bruin Walk.
A processional into Pauley Pavilion will begin promptly at 8:45 AM.
As graduates arrive to the assembly area name cards will be distributed. The name cards include a line for the phonetic spelling of your name to assure that announcers pronounce your name appropriately.
During the ceremony graduates are guided to the stage by event staff and hand their name card to a photographer’s assistant. Faculty members rotate announcing names as graduates walk across the stage. A photography company called GradImages uses the flip side of the card to collect addresses which are used to send photos taken as graduates prepare to step onto the stage, stand center stage and after stepping down from the stage.
Approximately 425 graduates are expected to participate along with 3,000 guests. Guests should arrive an hour before the event. Seating is unassigned and is first come, first seated. The doors of Pauley Pavilion open at 8:00 AM. There are several ceremonies scheduled that morning so guests should allow ample time to park, walk to Pauley Pavilion, and find a seat. The event is anticipated to be 90 to 120 minutes.
SECURITY PRECAUTIONS DURING COMMENCEMENT
Although UCLA does not anticipate any security problems during Commencement, we are constantly monitoring the events to protect the safety and security of our guests. Please observe the following restrictions for all Commencement Activities on the UCLA Campus.
- No large bags, back packs, large purses or items larger than 12 x 12
- No firearms, knives, explosives or other weapons
- No cans, coolers and other containers except in cases of medical need, as certified by a physician
- No artificial noise makers, air horns or megaphones may be used
- No large signs, flags, poles, banners, or laser pointers
- No promotional items with commercial slogans or identification
- No food or drinks are allowed in the individual commencement venues
- Inspections of small receptacles (bags) might be required as you enter event venues
- All Commencement venues have the authority to prohibit any other items deemed to be a security risk. Patrons will not be allowed to bring those items inside the event venues
- These policies are subject to change without notice
