College awards 369 degrees and certificates during 85th
commencement ceremony
n By kristen Munson Staff Writer
Gilroy – Caps off to Gavilan College’s class of 2005.
The college awarded 369 degrees and certificates to a mass of excited graduates in the Gavilan College gymnasium Friday night during the school’s 85th commencement ceremony.
Donning the traditional black cap and gown, graduates marched over the Gavilan footbridge, across the stage and into their futures.
The ceremony lasted under two hours and featured a cast of alumni speakers including San Benito County Sheriff Curtis Hill – the keynote speaker – and Lori Head, a 2003 graduate and staff writer for The Pinnacle.
“What do want from your life? What are you going to do now?” Hill asked graduates. He attended Gavilan in 1972, and later graduated from the FBI National Academy.
He stressed the importance of self–growth and self–reflection.
“Be idealistic always. Be idealistic always,” he urged. “Think of distance as a measure of your potential.”
The theme of the evening was ‘dream big.’ One such dreamer was Head, the alumni speaker.
“I was a high school drop out,” she told the audience. “I’m a first generation college student. I’m the first woman in my family to graduate college.”
A 2003 Gavilan graduate, Head received her bachelor’s degree from Mills College in Oakland two weeks ago.
“I’m here to show you it’s possible,” she declared. “Be brave, bold and courageous.”
More than 800 family members and friends crowded the gymnasium bleachers and lined the walls. Scores more looked on from open doors outside.
Of the 369 degrees awarded, 119 were Associate of Arts degrees in Liberal Studies – the major students planning to transfer elect.
Though the liberal studies students were the majority of graduates, no group was louder or more visible than the nursing students, who wrote ‘RN’ in glitter across the top of their caps.
“They’re a tight knit program,” said Jan Bernstein–Chargin, Gavilan’s director of public information, who watched from the edge of the stage.
President Steve Kinsella gave his third commencement address since coming to the college. In search of new material to speak of, he kept his advice simple.
“Remember the things you learned from your failures that helped get you here tonight,” he said. “Never give up on your dreams, never forget your roots.”
He spoke of several success stories at the college.
One student he mentioned, Audrey Becerra, a 46–year old mother of two, headed back to school after a 20-year hiatus.
After five years, Becerra, who serves as the vice–president of Events and Activities for the Associated Student Body, graduated with a communications certificate and a liberal arts degree.
“It’s been a lot of sacrifices but it’s worth it,” she said.
In the fall, she will continue studies in human communications at California State University at Monterey Bay on a tuition scholarship.
“I’m excited, but kind of scared. (Gavilan) was like a second home … But everyone seems to think I’ll be okay,” she said.
Cow bells, fog horns and whistles erupted from the audience as graduates took the stage to receive their degrees. Family members took pictures with camera phones, holding congratulatory balloons.
A little boy in the audience said, “That’s my mom,” as he dashed out to meet a woman smiling as she accepted her degree.
Some relished the walk, while others were just relieved to be finished.
“I’m excited I’m moving on,” said Michael Palmer, 19, of San Benito.
Next year he will be attending California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
Julie Mullen was also excited about graduating.
“I’m a single working mom,” she said. “It’s just hard to do it all.”
Mullen took classes part–time for eight years before graduating with her Associate of Arts in Child Development.
“It feels great,” she said. Mullen will be heading to San Jose State University in the fall.
Other graduates were less certain of their emotions.
“I have mixed feelings,” said Ivory Trams, 20, of Gilroy. “It’s leaving a comfort zone – but at the same time, it’s a sense of accomplishment.”
Regardless of where students are heading next, Gavilan’s Associated Student Body president, Domingo Payne, had words of encouragement for them all.
“You are all going to be great successes I know,” he said.
Degrees awarded
Gavilan degrees and certificates:
• Liberal Studies: 119 AA degrees
• Nursing: 19 Associate of Science Registered Nursing, 20 Associate of Science Vocational Nursing
• Administration of Justice: 16 AAs
• Business: 20 AAs
• Child Development: 12 AAs
• Health Sciences: 10 AAs
• Other: 25 AA degrees in Art, Theater, Media Arts, Humanities and Social Science
Certificates
• Cosmetology: 14
• Nursing: 17 in Registered Nursing and 22 in Vocational Nursing.
• Business/Accounting: 8
• Child Development or Instruction: 17
• Computer related: 34
New certificate awarded:
• Computational Preparation for Bioinformatics: 1
