BERKELEY — Fernando Mendoza walked across the stage at The Greek Theatre during the University of California, Berkeley Haas School of Business MBA commencement ceremony on Saturday to receive his undergraduate degree in business administration and management. Mendoza had missed the undergraduate ceremony on Wednesday after reporting to his new job with the Las Vegas Raiders, who selected him with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Haas School of Business Dean Jenny Chatman invited Mendoza to participate in the MBA ceremony so he could walk the stage for his bachelor's degree. Chatman addressed the audience to explain his absence from the Wednesday ceremony.

"We have one Haas undergraduate student who couldn't make it to commencement on Wednesday. So, I hope you don't mind I invited this person to our MBA commencement," Chatman told the audience.

She then introduced Mendoza to the graduates and their families, calling on the crowd to welcome him. "But he wasn't able to change his start date when he needed to report to his new job, so can you please help me in welcoming Las Vegas Raider, Heisman Trophy winner, Haas graduate and Cal Bear forever, Fernando Mendoza," Chatman said.

Mendoza completed his bachelor's degree in business administration and management in three years at Cal before transferring to Indiana last year. He finished the degree while enrolled in a master's program at Indiana University in 2025. Mendoza took time away from the Raiders to attend the ceremony at Cal this weekend.

Earlier this month, he missed a White House visit with his Hoosiers teammates to focus on his time with the Raiders.