Largest Graduating Class Honored at Commencement
A record number of students will earn associate degrees this year when Fullerton College celebrates the graduating class of 2018 at the 103rd
The ceremony will be live streaming on Facebook starting at 9 a.m. at www.facebook.com/fullertoncollege
Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 26 at 9 a.m. on Sherbeck Field. This is the third consecutive year Fullerton College has seen a growth in the number of degrees applied for and awarded.
Up 17 percent from last year, the number of degrees applied for during the 2017-18 academic year is approximately 2,970, amounting to the largest graduating class to date for Fullerton College.
“The fact that we have more students earning degrees, transferring to universities and achieving their college and career goals is something to be celebrated and testament to the collective work of both our students and our institution. I am beyond proud and excited to celebrate these achievements alongside our administration, faculty, staff, families and friends at Commencement,” said President Greg Schulz.
Sherbeck Field will be set up to accommodate more than 875 graduates, who are expected to participate, and more than 7,000 guests for the celebration. Temporary bleachers, chairs and a stage will be installed on Sherbeck Field to accommodate the ceremony. The ceremony will be live streaming on Facebook starting at 9 a.m. at www.facebook.com/fullertoncollege
Dr. Rajan Vaidya, Class of 2010, will deliver the keynote address. Vaidya graduated from Fullerton College with associate degrees in chemistry, economics, and mathematics before earning his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at the University of California San Diego and his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the Keck Graduate Institute, School of Pharmacy. While at FC, he served as Associated Students president and student trustee for the North Orange County Community College District. Vaidya has been an active leader at the state and national levels, serving on the California Pharmacists Association, recognized by the California State Senate and training as the American Pharmacists Association Foundation Executive Resident in Association Management and Leadership in Washington, D.C.
Additionally, Students of Distinction Robert Allen Brantley and Sara Mirza will each provide remarks on behalf of the Class of 2018. Brantley returned to school after more than a decade in the workforce. As a math major he will graduate with four Associate in Science degrees in Mathematics, Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Studies in Science and Mathematics, and Interdisciplinary Studies in Arts and Human Expression. While at FC, Brantley has served as a supplemental instruction leader for calculus and geometry and has worked closely with Dr. Miguel Powers in the creation of the Growth Mindset Student Ambassador Program. Brantley plans on attending graduate school and after completing his education, would like to write books about math, geometry, physics, philosophy, and the nexus points at which these subjects intersect.
Sara Mizra and her family moved to the United States two years ago when it was time for Mirza to begin her career in academia. Throughout her short time as a student at Fullerton College she has worked in the Math Lab and as a supplemental instructor for Calculus I. She was also the treasurer of the Muslim Student Association and vice president of Society of Women Engineers, which she helped start up in the fall of 2017. By the end of summer, Mizra will earn Associate in Science for Transfer degrees in Mathematics and Physics.
The ceremony will include recognition of outstanding student achievements, retired faculty, and honor the 2018 Teacher of the Year, English Professor Dr. Miguel Powers.
Following the ceremony, Associated Students, Inter-Club Council and Fullerton College will host a reception for graduates and guests in the College Center Courtyard.
Parking and attendance are both free. Live video streaming will be available at www.facebook.com/fullertoncollege. Event details are available at http://commencement.fullcoll.edu
