El Vaquero

Issue date: 6/24/09 Section: News

A total of 1,159 students graduated at Sartoris Field June 5, being the largest graduating class GCC has ever had.

"The first graduating class in 1929 had only 29 students, taught by nine faculty, administrated by three deans and a principle," said superintendent / president Audre Levy. "We have come a long way today. Over the course of GCC's history, this college has been the home of over a million college students."


Slideshow Media Credit: Richard Kontas

The commencement kicked off with "The Star Spangled Banner," sung by Derik Dermegerdichian, followed by the greetings and introductions by Levy who spoke of the history of the college. Afterward, she introduced Jack Scott, chancellor of California Community Colleges, and said that "he is no stranger to the community college system."

A member of the State Legislature since 1996, Scott represented California's 21st Senatorial District, which includes Pasadena, Glendale and Burbank. He also served as president of Pasadena City College.

Scott was unanimously elected as the 14th Chancellor of the California Community Colleges by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges on May 8, 2008.

He gave words of wisdom to the graduating class before they received their diplomas or certificates.

"It's better to go through life as an optimist than as a pessimist," Scott said, who also emphasized to the graduates that they should seize the day and live in the present tense.

"One day you'll sit around and say 'I'd be happy if I had a bigger home' or 'I'd be happy if I were married to somebody else' … But this is the time to enjoy life," Scott said.

Of the 1,159 students who received a diploma or certificate, 821 received a two-year degree, 606 received associates degrees, 215 received associates of science degrees and 338 of them received certificates in many other fields such as administration of justice, communications and fire technology. There were 106 who graduated as registered nurses.

"Students who earn a two-year degree will be making a half a million dollars more than a person who only has a high school diploma," Levy said. "If you go onto a four-year institution, you will be making a million dollars more than those who only have a high school diploma."

Continued...

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