Graduation 2009 Ceremonies
EXCLUSIVE SLIDESHOW COVERAGE
Isiah Reyes
Issue date: 6/24/09 Section: News
The graduating class is varied on many levels: 65 percent worked while attending college, 30 percent were full time students and 20 percent balanced academics while supporting families and careers.
In addition, 30 percent of the graduates were over the age of 40, with the oldest being 67-years-old. There were 191 graduates who were enrolled in high school (taking classes at their high school at the same time while they were graduating from community college).
More than 583 students received scholarships from the college, adding up to $260,000 in funds.
Furthermore, 60 percent of the graduates are transferring to four-year universities and 40 percent of them were the first in their families to attend college.
"Therefore, ladies and gentleman, I think you will agree that you as a group of students dreamed the improbable, done the impossible and have accomplished the insurmountable," Levy said.
Levy then passed the graduating class to Vahé Peroomian, president of the board of trustees.
"This graduating class represents a very unique class here at GCC," Peroomian said. "Most of you began here when the parking structure had just opened, and cardiac health soon became a thing of the past thanks to the marvelous elevator tower. You're going to be one of the last classes to boast about climbing that hill without an elevator.
"Many of our nursing students graduating this year have had the benefit of the state of the art Bhupesh Parikh building," Peroomian said.
"These are some of the most visible examples of how we've put the 98 million dollar bond passed by Glendale voters seven years ago to good use," Peroomian said.
In the past decade, the college has enrolled over 40,000 students each year for a wide range of results. From transferring to four-year college, to earning two-year degrees to earning vocational certificates to self-improvement.
More than 22,000 have earned a college degree and possibly another 32,000 have earned certificates, according to Levy.
The ceremony was scheduled to be held in rain or shine and luckily for the graduating class, they were dry upon receiving their diplomas.
After the recognition of graduates by Peroomian and the recognition of graduates with honors by Dawn Lindsay, vice president of instructional services, there was the presentation of degrees and the crossing of the tassels by Ovsanna Khachikian, president of associated students.
"It's been said that a goal without a plan is just a wish," Peroomian said. "Where you go from here shouldn't just be an aimless goal or a wish, but a carefully planned future with achievable goals."
The alma mater at the end of the ceremony was sung by Joy Chen with the trademark release of the doves into the open sky. A reception for graduates and guests was held in Plaza Vaquero following the commencement ceremony.
"This isn't just a dress rehearsal we're in," Scott told the graduating class. "It's life."
In addition, 30 percent of the graduates were over the age of 40, with the oldest being 67-years-old. There were 191 graduates who were enrolled in high school (taking classes at their high school at the same time while they were graduating from community college).
More than 583 students received scholarships from the college, adding up to $260,000 in funds.
Furthermore, 60 percent of the graduates are transferring to four-year universities and 40 percent of them were the first in their families to attend college.
"Therefore, ladies and gentleman, I think you will agree that you as a group of students dreamed the improbable, done the impossible and have accomplished the insurmountable," Levy said.
Levy then passed the graduating class to Vahé Peroomian, president of the board of trustees.
"This graduating class represents a very unique class here at GCC," Peroomian said. "Most of you began here when the parking structure had just opened, and cardiac health soon became a thing of the past thanks to the marvelous elevator tower. You're going to be one of the last classes to boast about climbing that hill without an elevator.
"Many of our nursing students graduating this year have had the benefit of the state of the art Bhupesh Parikh building," Peroomian said.
"These are some of the most visible examples of how we've put the 98 million dollar bond passed by Glendale voters seven years ago to good use," Peroomian said.
In the past decade, the college has enrolled over 40,000 students each year for a wide range of results. From transferring to four-year college, to earning two-year degrees to earning vocational certificates to self-improvement.
More than 22,000 have earned a college degree and possibly another 32,000 have earned certificates, according to Levy.
The ceremony was scheduled to be held in rain or shine and luckily for the graduating class, they were dry upon receiving their diplomas.
After the recognition of graduates by Peroomian and the recognition of graduates with honors by Dawn Lindsay, vice president of instructional services, there was the presentation of degrees and the crossing of the tassels by Ovsanna Khachikian, president of associated students.
"It's been said that a goal without a plan is just a wish," Peroomian said. "Where you go from here shouldn't just be an aimless goal or a wish, but a carefully planned future with achievable goals."
The alma mater at the end of the ceremony was sung by Joy Chen with the trademark release of the doves into the open sky. A reception for graduates and guests was held in Plaza Vaquero following the commencement ceremony.
"This isn't just a dress rehearsal we're in," Scott told the graduating class. "It's life."
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alexhaffey
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posted 7/07/09 @ 5:59 AM PST
That is really nice photos.
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