Fullerton College 107th Commencement Returns In-Person May 21
Click to download the Commencement 2022 program
Nearly 900 graduates are preparing to cross the commencement stage to receive their diploma at Fullerton College’s 107th Commencement on May 21 at 9 a.m. This year’s commencement is sure to be marked by many joyful tears and emotion as graduates and their families will have the opportunity to enjoy the celebration in-person at Sherbeck Field for the first time since 2019.
The class of 2022 marks another consecutive year of growth for Fullerton College with 4,576 degrees applied for during the 2021-2022 academic year. The college has seen consecutive growth each year since 2015.
The ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. and will live stream on the college’s YouTube Channel. The live stream will be fully captioned.
“Commencement will truly be a joyful celebration of hope over adversity. As a community, we celebrate the resilience and accomplishments of our students during one of the most uncertain times in human history,” said Interim President Dr. Gilbert Contreras.
Many students in the graduating class began their journey at Fullerton College in 2020 when the campus pivoted to online learning, and the world witnessed historic changes in instruction and operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The theme for this year’s commencement is “Hornets Take Flight.”
“This commencement is special in more ways than one,” Contreras said. “We have more graduates and more degrees applied for, proving that that when the world shutdown because of COVID, our students did not. They pivoted, they persevered, and they succeeded despite every obstacle in front of them. Now, they will take flight into the next stage of their lives. Joined by our faculty, staff and administration, I am pleased to celebrate this tremendous achievement with our students.”
California State University, Fullerton President Dr. Fram Virjee will deliver the keynote address and Students of Distinction Malia Arpon and Wythenia “Tina” Cruz will each provide remarks on behalf of the Class of 2022.
Arpon will earn an Associate of Arts Transfer degree in Communication Studies. Arpon transferred to Fullerton College from Oklahoma State University in 2020 after the challenges of the pandemic made it clear that she wanted to return home. During her time at Fullerton College she served as an Associated Students Senator, Treasurer of the Speech and Debate club, a member of the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance, Alpha Gamma Sigma member, and a Student Ambassador in the Office of Campus Communications. She will be transferring to San Diego State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Communications.
Cruz started her journey at Fullerton College after helping her son and daughter enroll at FC and coming to the realization that Fullerton College was also a place for her. She says one class turned into two classes, then four, then more, and before she knew it, she was well on her way to earning a degree. In fact, she will earn two degrees this year; an Associate of Arts Transfer in Sociology and an Associate of Arts Transfer in Social Justice Studies. Cruz plans to attend a local CSU or UC and hopes to one day teach at the collegiate level.
The ceremony will also include recognition of outstanding achievements, including Students of Year Grant and Kennedy DeVries and honor the 2022 Faculty of the Year, Reading and Mindfulness Professor Deidre Hughes. Hughes was recognized by students and the campus community during the Faculty of the Year reception on May 5.
Following the ceremony, Associated Students and Fullerton College will host a reception for graduates and guests in the College Quad.
Parking and attendance are both free, however graduates are limited to six guests. Event details are available on the Commencement website.
