A Future Forged in Ethics and Innovation

On a dazzling December day in sunny San Diego, the USD Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering hosted a formal luncheon with two nationally-recognized ceremonies to celebrate the accomplishments of its graduating engineering and computer science seniors. More than 360 attendees filled 44 elegantly set tables with families traveling as far as the Virgin Islands to share in the time-honored ceremony and luncheon.

The event powerfully illustrated the school's exponential growth, a trajectory founding Dean Chell Roberts observed firsthand: “When I came here 13 years ago, we had the tradition of the ceremony, but computer science wasn’t yet part of the school. We had the Order of the Engineer in a small room with only about 10 tables.” Now, the event fills the UC Forums — a testament to the vision shared by benefactress Darlene Marcos Shiley and her late husband, Donald P. Shiley.

Engineering and computer science graduates and guests gather on December 9th at the 2026 Senior Ceremony

Vice President for University Advancement, Rick Virgin, graciously stepped up to the podium to read a letter prepared by Mrs. Shiley, who was “disappointed she could not celebrate with her students.”

Virgin articulates Mrs. Shiley’s heartfelt words: “In the University of San Diego universe, nothing excites me more than interacting with my students. You all have such a variety of talents and will leave this beacon of learning having received a values-based education. And it was that concept that led me and my late husband, Donald, to USD.” 

Virgin continues, “We began our support of USD with The Donald P. Shiley Center Science and Technology; we gave our name to the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering; and we realized future engineers needed maker space... So the next step is the Shiley STEM Initiative. It will include many facets and its main goal is maker space within a new additional building.”

Vice President for University Advancement, Rick Virgin, delivers a personal speech on behalf of benefactress Darlene Marcos Shiley

Engineering Senior Director of Development and Alumni Relations, Elisa Lurkis, welcomed graduates to their new-found alumni status and introduced guest speaker, Christine Nishiyama ‘05 (EE), who has spent the majority of her career scaling start-up companies in the biotech and life science industry and leading operations from manufacturing, sustaining engineering and supply chain.  

“Standing here is a little bit surreal to me,” admits Nishiyama. “Twenty years ago, I was sitting right where you guys are, but it looks a little bit different. I had 12 graduating seniors in my class and we didn’t have a banquet — we had a pizza party that was purchased by Dr. Morse, and we held it in a classroom.”

Nishiyama offered essential advice for their journey: “You do not need to have your entire future figured out today. What you need is openness and grit... Resilience will carry you through the economy and the future you want to build. Stay curious and adaptable and keep moving forward — you are going to find your way.”

 
2026 graduates take their professional oath for the Senior Ceremony

The heart of the ceremony centered on the administration of two solemn vows: The Pledge of the Computing Professional and The Order of the Engineer. This moment marked the transition of students into their respective professions, grounding their technical knowledge in an ethical framework.

Following the invocation of these professional ideals, a stately processional across the stage unfolded, guiding the graduates toward their symbolic acknowledgments.

In accordance with this ritual, senior students received meaningful symbols of their commitment as constant reminders of the fundamental professional value they represent: engineering students were presented with a steel ring in a ceremonial transfer, and computer science seniors were bestowed a unique binary lapel pin (ASCII code for honor). 

Ring ceremony for the Order of the Engineer

The ceremony celebrated the ethical foundation, deep commitment and remarkable growth that defines the University of San Diego’s engineering and computer science programs. This tradition affirms that these graduates are prepared not just to build technologies, but to be responsible, values-based citizens shaping the world to come.

By Michelle Sztupkay