Publish Date: May 26, 2016
SALINAS, Calif. – Hartnell Community College District will hold its Commencement 2016 Ceremony tomorrow Friday, May 27, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. at Rabobank Stadium located at 175 Maryal Drive in Salinas, California. Admission tickets are required for all guests. MEDIA check-in will be at entrance of the stadium through Maryal Drive.
This year, we are issuing 987 Associate Degrees to students who completed their coursework summer 2015, fall 2015, or spring 2016 and 709 Certificates to recipients who completed their coursework during the same periods.
“This is the largest class Hartnell College has ever had; we are proud to say that our mission of student success is reflected at this year’s commencement and it is a demonstration of delivering on that mission,” said Superintendent/President, Dr. Willard Lewallen.
The celebration of student achievement will commence with music by the Hartnell College Orchestra, color guard, the national anthem, and a welcome by Dr. Lewallen. The President of the Board of Trustees, Erica Padilla-Chávez will offer her congratulations to the Class of 2016, and Academic Senate President, Carol Kimbrough will provide the Academic Senate President’s Address. In addition, Honors’ Student Tomas Madrigal will give the Valedictorian Address.
This year we are honoring two Distinguished Alumni. Jeff Nessen Schmidt (Posthumously) attended Hartnell in 1941 and went on to become an Aerospace Engineer. He became involved with Hartnell as a donor and fundraiser. Gary Tanimura graduated in 1969; he is the Executive Vice President of Production at Tanimura & Antle and a true friend and partner to Hartnell students. He will deliver the Keynote address.
In this graduating class:
- 335 students graduating with honors
- We have 1 international student graduating from Spain
- Our youngest graduate is 19 years old and our oldest is 68 years young
- There is 1 graduate celebrating their birthday today
- There are 30 graduates named Maria and 18 graduates named Jose
- We have 3 siblings graduating from three different programs:
- Maria Isabel Avila - Administration of Justice for Transfer degree
- Alma Avila - Communication Studies for Transfer with Honors
- Rigoberto Avila - General Studies-Social & Behavioral Science emphasis
“The students at Hartnell College have what we refer to as grit - a fierce determination to succeed and to create a better quality of life for themselves and their families,” added Dr. Lewallen. “We have the honor of supporting them in pursuing their goals, their dreams, and accomplishments at Commencement.”
Hartnell Community College District – established in 1920
The Hartnell CCD serves over 16,000 students annually through its main campus in Salinas, the Alisal Campus in East Salinas, the King City Education Center, and various outreach learning centers throughout the Salinas Valley. Hartnell College, a Hispanic Serving Institution, provides workforce training, basic skills courses, and prepares students for transfer to four-year colleges and universities. Hartnell College is recognized for its innovative public and private partnerships that support world class STEM education, career technical education, fine and performing arts, humanities, and athletics. We are proud to be the winners of the Innovation Award for CSin3 – a Computer Science degree in three years. We are growing leaders through opportunity, engagement, and achievement. For more about Hartnell CCD, visit www.hartnell.edu.
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