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Educator Erin Gruwell ‘94 has a life story that illustrates how a Cal State Long Beach education and individual drive can set off a chain reaction of positive change.

“Because I am an educator, it is the foundation of everything I do professionally,” Gruwell said.

Gruwell is one of three luminaries selected to receive an honorary doctorate during Commencement 2025. A second-generation ɫ��ɫ grad, she earned both a master’s in English literature and teaching credential here before accepting a job teaching English at nearby Wilson High School.

For Gruwell, the nomination for her honorary degree put it this way: “Her work exemplifies the transformative power of education and reflects the core values of ɫ��ɫ: inclusivity, compassion and the belief that every student has the potential to succeed.”

Gruwell has also served as a Distinguished Teacher in Residence for the College of Education and was honored as a Distinguished Alumna in 2005. She is now the president of the Freedom Writers Foundation, which conducts educator training, arranges speaking engagements and provides other services to help students get the most out of their school years.

The foundation takes its name from “The Freedom Writers Diary” (1999), which collected journal entries from Wilson students affected by racial divisions and prejudice, street gangs and family troubles. That book, in turn, inspired “Freedom Writers” (2007), a film dramatizing Gruwell’s teaching experiences, which included encouraging her students to keep diaries as well as discussions of hip-hop lyrics, “The Diary of Anne Frank” and meetings with Holocaust survivors.

Gruwell is proud of having what she called a cyclical relationship with ɫ��ɫ. Several of the Freedom Writers from Wilson High went on to join the Beach community. The 20-plus Freedom Writers who have earned Beach degrees include Jessica Martinez, who completed her educational doctorate in educational leadership in 2019. Four children of Freedom Writers have graduated from or are attending The Beach. They include Yael Moore, daughter of Sharaud Moore, who is set to participate in Commencement 2025.

“For me, it’s been so exciting for me to see this incredible relationship become part of my Freedom Writers relationship as well,” she said.

Honorary doctorates are not restricted to alumni, but graduating from The Beach makes Gruwell’s award particularly special for her.

“I love that where I learned to do what I’m doing, they’re honoring our work,” she said.

Gruwell’s favorite memories of The Beach include moments that took place after her student days. She recalled that while teaching at Wilson, she was able to introduce students to Zlata Filipović, author of “Zlata’s Diary: A Child’s Life in Wartime Sarajevo.” The Freedom Writers also gathered on the Walter Pyramid hardwood for “Basketball for Bosnia,” a tournament and fundraiser that is included in her book.

Gruwell’s times at The Beach comprise several moments during which she and others here could open doors and show young people what could be possible in their lives.

“The fact that I was able to be there for so many years was truly life changing for me,” she said.

The Doctor of Letters (Litt. D.) is one of the honorary degrees conferred by the California State University system and awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to education, public service or the arts. At ɫ��ɫ, such degrees are conferred at Commencement by the college granting the honor.