WHITTIER – Rio Hondo College will honor summer 2017, fall 2017 and spring 2018 graduates of its academic and career and technical education programs at its 55th annual Commencement Ceremony at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 24.
“Our students deserve this moment in the sun to celebrate completing this stage of their education and their strength and determination as they pursue their goals, paths that will take them into high-paying jobs essential to our community and to top tier colleges across the nation,” Superintendent/President Teresa Dreyfuss said.
As many as 1,399 students have earned an estimated 2,001 academic degrees, including 653 degrees for transfer, which guarantee California State University admission. Each figure tops the College’s 2016-17 success.
The Honorable Ian Calderon, majority leader of the State Assembly, will give the keynote address during Rio Hondo College’s Commencement Ceremony. Calderon, D-Whittier, is the state’s youngest-ever majority leader and is a champion of a higher minimum wage and arts education.
Also recognized will be the 2018 Fellow of the College, Dr. Jennifer Fernandez, who retired after serving 42 years as an educator. Her career included teaching in sixth grade for a year before serving at Antelope Valley College, Pasadena City College and Rio Hondo College.
Over 31 years, Fernandez served Rio Hondo College as a counselor, professor, director of student development, coordinator of the College’s South Whittier Educational Center and interim dean of student affairs. She helped develop plans for the Child Development Center and for the redesign of Student Health Psychological Services.
The ceremony will feature remarks by President Dreyfuss and Board of Trustees President Madeline Shapiro. The Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Student Trustee Pariss Youngblood. The National Anthem will be sung by choir student Juan Avalon.
Associated Students of Rio Hondo College President Martin Covarrubias, who helped develop the Rio Hondo College’s new food pantry program, the RioSource Room, will offer greetings on behalf of the students. In fall, he will transfer to UC Riverside as a liberal studies major.
The ceremony will honor three outstanding students who overcame challenges en route to earning their degrees.
Valedictorian Bailey Garcia will receive the College’s Marie I. Pellissier Award. Garcia, who was raised by a single mother and other family members, graduated from Applied Technology Center in Montebello with a low GPA. He came to Rio Hondo College to prove to himself and to his high school teachers that he could succeed.
He earned a 4.0 GPA while taking part in the Extended Opportunity Program & Services (EOP&S), Guardian Scholars and Peer Advisory Leaders. He served as treasurer for the Associated Students of Rio Hondo College (ASRHC). He will study philosophy at UC Berkeley in preparation for attending law school and pursuing his dream of starting a nonprofit.
Also among the graduates honored will be 18 students who have completed the first stage of the Pathway to Law School program. The program guides students from Rio Hondo College, through four-year degrees and into law school. Rio Hondo College’s program was honored with the 2018 Diversity Champion Award from California LAW, which coordinates the Pathway to Law School program for the state.
“At commencement, we not only recognize our students for their hard work and value for education, but also celebrate what Rio Hondo College as an institution can accomplish,” Shapiro said. “These end-of-year celebrations represent the culmination of achievements for our students, our staff and faculty, and our community.”
In addition to the primary commencement ceremony, Rio Hondo College on Wednesday, May 23 will honor students receiving certifications through a groundbreaking Tesla service technician training program and who graduating from its highly regarded nursing program.
Tesla graduates – three women and seven men – will be celebrated at a 4 p.m. event featuring Tesla executives and College leaders.
Nurses will be honored at 5 p.m. at their annual pinning ceremony. The program will recognize 176 students, including 74 who completed entry-level programs such as certified nurse assistant or home health aide, 26 students who earned Licensed Vocational Nursing certifications and 76 students who achieved Associate Degrees in Nursing.
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3600 Workman Mill Road / Whittier, CA 90601
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RELEASE DATE: May 23, 2018
CONTACT: Ruthie Retana
(562) 463-3145
