UCLA Chancellor Gene Block will present Dr. Judith Reichman a commemorative tribute in honor of her late husband, Gil Cates, founding Dean of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. Cates’ legacy to UCLA and the entertainment industry will be remembered throughout Commencement with the Chancellor providing special remarks about Cates’ illustrious career and his lasting influence on TFT/UCLA. As its inaugural dean, Cates transformed an already extraordinary program into a highly sought after world-class school for entertainment and performing arts with outstanding new faculty, innovative programs and unparalleled student and alumni success.  While Dean and professor, Cates continued to have a robust connectivity to the entertainment industry through his leadership roles at the DGA, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and through his directing and producing.  Gil Cates’ legacy at TFT is incomparable.

TFT commencement ceremony honors approximately 200 students from the departments of theater, film, television and digital media. The school will confer Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts and Master of Fine Arts degrees. Doctoral scholars who have completed a PhD program will also be recognized at the event.