WHITTIER– Río Hondo College will host its 61st annual Commencement Ceremony on campus at Student Parking Lot A at 9 a.m. on May 24. The event will celebrate 1,664 graduates and candidates for Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees.
Orange County Superior Court Judge Bryan Clavecilla, who studied for two terms at Río Hondo College in 2003, will present the keynote speech at RHC’s 61st annual Commencement Ceremony on May 24, 2024.
Río Hondo College’s upcoming Commencement ceremony, which is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on campus at Student Parking Lot A, will celebrate 1,664 graduates and candidates for Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees. A total of 951 students will receive an Associate Degree of Transfer and eight will receive a Bachelor of Science.
“It is with immense gratitude and joy that we prepare to celebrate our 61st commencement ceremony – a milestone not just for this graduating class, but for our entire college community at Río Hondo College,” Superintendent/President Dr. Marilyn Flores said. “We are proud to witness the culmination of the hard work and dedication of our graduates upon our stage—while we stand to mark the end of a chapter, we celebrate new beginnings for our graduates.”
Clavecilla, the keynote speaker, was appointed to the Orange County Superior Court by California Governor Gavin Newsom on Jan. 29, served as a Senior Deputy District Attorney and Assistant Head of Court at the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, and later as an Orange County Superior Court Commissioner for 17 days before his appointment.
Orange County Superior Court Judge Bryan Clavecilla will serve as the keynote speaker at Río Hondo College’s upcoming Commencement Ceremony on May 24. Clavecilla, who studied at RHC for two years, was appointed to the Orange County Superior Court by California Governor Gavin Newsom on Jan. 29.
Clavecilla attended William Workman High School in La Puente and UCLA for his undergraduate degree. Needing to pass one foreign language class to obtain his undergraduate degree, Clavecilla attended Río Hondo College for two terms where he joined the Speech & Debate and Wrestling teams.
After completing his education, Clavecilla joined the Orange County District Attorney’s Office where he prosecuted sexual assault and human trafficking cases. He is dedicated to advancing diversity throughout the legal system and volunteers his guidance at two Southern California legal pathway programs – the Cabrillo Law Academy of Justice at Cabrillo High School in Long Beach, and the Elizabeth Macias Guerrero Legal Studies Academy in Santa Ana.
Río Hondo College will also honor Mary Becerril as the 2024 Fellow of the College during commencement. Becerril, the senior coordinator in RHC’s Admissions & Records Office, has given Río Hondo College 38 years of dedicated service.
Becerril began her journey at Río Hondo College in 1985 as a student in the Extended Opportunity Programs & Services (EOP&S) and Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE) programs. From student worker to staff member, Becerril grew in her career while staying true to her mission of serving students. Known as the “Admissions and Records Detective” among her coworkers, Becerril is lauded for her dedication, resourcefulness and support of students and fellow staff.
As a single mother, Becerril emphasized the importance of education at home, with two of her children going on to attend Río Hondo College.
“Driven by compassion and a deep understanding of education, Becerril’s career at Río Hondo College exemplifies the transformative power of education,” Flores said. “Her unwavering support and problem-solving skills are invaluable assets, making her an inspiration to everyone she comes across.”
Mary Becerril will be honored as Río Hondo College’s 2024 Fellow of the College during the school’s 61st annual Commencement Ceremony on May 24. Becerril, the senior coordinator in RHC’s Admissions & Records Office, has given Río Hondo College 38 years of dedicated service.MEDIA RELEASE
3600 Workman Mill Road / Whittier, CA 90601
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE DATE: May 17, 2024
CONTACT: Shaina Phillips
(562) 908-3489
