By Debra Cano Ramos

Cal State Fullerton alum and Disney Legend Martha Blanding — who helped make Disneyland the happiest place on Earth — stood on the commencement stage and greeted the Class of 2025.

“What I see is an amazing group,” said Blanding. “You are our future.”

Blanding returned to her alma mater to receive an honorary doctor of humane letters at a College of Humanities and Social Sciences commencement ceremony.

CSUF President Ronald Rochon and college Dean Jessica Yirush Stern presented Blanding with the honorary degree and doctoral hood to cheers from the grads.

“I stand proud to receive this honor,” said Blanding, who was the first-ever, full-time Black tour guide at Disneyland.

Rochon noted recipients of the honorary degree are individuals who have made an impact on their field and whose work reflects the values of the university and community.

As a distinguished alum, Disney employee and author, Blanding has “broken barriers throughout her entire career,” Rochon said.

“Her career and leadership exemplify the very best of our Titan spirit and values.”

Blanding, who found her happy place with a groundbreaking 50-year career at The Walt Disney Co., shared how the grads can find theirs.

She relayed to the graduating class that following her mother’s advice led to attending Cal State Fullerton and being recognized with a Disney Legends Award.

Just before her high school graduation, Blanding recounted that she and her mother met with a guidance counselor about her college plans.

Blanding said the counselor told her she needed to learn to do something with her hands because she would never make it in corporate America.

“This didn’t go over well,” said Blanding, raised in South Central Los Angeles. “Once I got home, I went to my room and cried.”

Blanding’s mother told her not to let other people define her future and to always believe in herself.

“If there is any advice I can give, it would be this,” Blanding imparted to grads. “You don’t let somebody else determine your future. That’s your job.”

While attending CSUF, a friend persuaded Blanding to take a chance at working at Disneyland. She was hired in May 1971 as a tour guide, and within a year, she became a VIP hostess, touring music and Hollywood legends and U.S. and international officials.

Her professionalism and work ethic made her the first Black woman in management at Disneyland in 1975. During her half-century-long career at the “Happiest Place on Earth,” Blanding rose through the ranks. She retired in 2022 as a senior manager.

The Walt Disney Co. recognized Blanding with its distinguished Disney Legends Award in August 2024. The award honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the company. Blanding became the first Black Disney Parks employee designated a Disney Legend.

“I enjoy everything about what I do,” Blanding said before retiring, “I don’t feel like I’m coming to work every day because I love what I do, which is to make a lot of people happy.”

Courtesy CSUF