Under a steel-gray sky Saturday at CSU Channel Islands, a long procession of graduating students with red and silver flowing robes entered through an arch onto the south quad lawn.

It was the start of a new phase in the lives of the graduates, who were greeted with applause, cheers, smiles, grins and a few thumbs up.

More than 7,500 people watched as 655 members of the CSUCI graduating class of 2007, which included the first group of freshmen to enroll at the new campus in 2003, received master's and bachelor's degrees.

"We are all here to celebrate for all of you," CSU Trustee Carol Chandler told the students. "We are so proud of all of you who are going out into the workplace as CSU graduates."

CSU Channel Islands President Richard R. Rush told the graduates that the journey of knowledge at the university will serve them well as they venture to a new expedition or adventure.

"Through your talents and hard work, you have acquired the tools that you will need for success knowledge, teamwork, civic engagement and mutual respect for all people," Rush said.

Two students, Jessica LaRoe and Tamara Gershater, were keynote speakers at the ceremony.

LaRoe described the students as trailblazers because they blazed a path for others to follow.

"Many of us have been accepted to graduate schools in California as well as throughout the nation. We have received an education that is second to none from faculty and staff that are first class," LaRoe, who lives in Ventura County, told the students.

LaRoe served as president of Associated Students Inc. and graduated with a bachelor's degree in business. She plans to attend graduate school and hopes to open a business.

Gershater of Camarillo is graduating with a bachelor's degree in English. She will attend graduate school at UC Davis.

"Challenge yourself to be part of the solution," Gershater told students. "As a member of the inaugural freshman class, I look forward to watching the university and its graduates continue to thrive, making waves in our lives and in our community, and hopefully, someday, in the world."

Among other graduates were David Cornejo of Oxnard; Kristi Jimenez of Camarillo and James Stuart of Riverside.

Cornejo, who received a bachelor's degree in business, said it's been a long road and thanked his parents, Leslie and Enrique.

"I am so proud of him," said Leslie Cornejo.

Jimenez's fiance, Jeromy Thiesen and her niece, Amanda Jimenez, watched her get a diploma in business.

"It's amazing. It's about time," said Kristi Jimenez.

"I am excited. She worked really hard," said Thiesen.

Many members of Stuart's family, along with his fiancee, Jenny Capps, drove from Riverside to watch him get a bachelor's degree in biology.

"It feels great to be done with it," Stuart said, smiling.

Fast facts

Name of College: California State University Channel Islands.

Address: 1 University Drive, Camarillo.

Spring Enrollment: 3,300 students.

Name of president: Richard R. Rush.

Interesting facts:

- The university is committed to maintaining a "green campus."

- Many of the campus building projects include recycling programs.

- The university adopts and works on ways to improve its energy efficiency, and its fleet of vehicles includes electric vehicles or ones that use alternative fuels.