May 26, 2008

SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT GRADUATES THOUSANDS

    "We transform thousands of lives and change thousands of families." This is how Dr. Constance Carroll, chancellor of the San Diego Community College District, described the role of City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges at the three campus commencement ceremonies this month.

    "The community colleges of this region not only transfer students to universities to continue their studies, but also provide job training in fields as diverse as nursing, architecture, accounting, teaching, radiologic technology, engineering, law enforcement, fire science, information technology, biotechnology, and many more fields that relate to the needs of the San Diego region."

    This year, 3,038 students graduated from the three colleges with either associate degrees in the arts and sciences or occupational program certificates.  A total of 2,150 students graduated with associate degrees in a variety of fields, while 888 graduated with certificates. In addition, thousands more students completed classes that enabled them to transfer, as well as enter the workforce.

    Each of the three commencements played to standing-room-only crowds of families and other supporters who turned out to see the graduates walk the stage to receive their degrees and certificates from SDCCD Board of Trustees members Marty Block, Rich Grosch, Bill Schwandt, Maria Nieto Senour and Peter Zschiesche. City College President Dr. Terrence Burgess, Mesa College President Dr. Rita Cepeda, and Miramar College President Dr. Patricia Hsieh presided over the individual college ceremonies.

    The Mesa College commencement on May 18 was the first in the series. Held at University of San Diego Jenny Craig Pavilion, it featured Dr. Gerardo de los Santos, president of the international League for Innovation in the Community College, as commencement speaker. In his remarks, Dr. de los Santos underscored the role that community colleges play in providing the opportunity for all to succeed, irrespective of their economic circumstances and background.

    The Miramar College commencement took place on May 21 at the Marriott La Jolla where, in addition to other graduates, members of the firefighter and police communities convened to receive their special degrees from the San Diego Regional Public Safety Training Institute. Commencement speaker San Diego's Police Chief William Lansdowne stressed the importance of individual responsibility, noting that "kindness to others and hard work" are key elements in success.

    A late-May rain squall challenged the City College commencement on May 23, which was quickly relocated from the Balboa Park Organ Pavilion to the Harry West Gymnasium at City College. City's commencement speaker was, by tradition, a member of the faculty. Business Professor Julie Tunnell impressed upon the graduates the importance of their belief in themselves and willingness to apply themselves fully as the best recipe for success.

    District Board President Block inspired the graduates at all three ceremonies by his references to graduates who had walked the stage before them, such as Jim Senegal, founder of Costco, a graduate of City College; actress Annette Bening, an Oscar-nominated and Tony-winning actress, who graduated from Mesa College; and Mayor Jerry Sanders and Fire Chief Tracy Jarman, both graduates of Miramar College.