News Release

All Campuses

Cerro Coso Honors Graduates During 34th Commencement Exercise

May 22, 2007

Cerro Coso Community College's 34th Commencement Exercises were held in the Gym of the Raymond A. McCue Athletic Complex on Friday evening, May 18. Friends, relatives, staff and faculty gathered to honor a class of 308 eligible graduates from the Indian Wells Valley Campus in Ridgecrest (77%),South Kern Center at Edwards Air Force Base (2%), Kern River Valley Center in Lake Isabella (9%), Eastern Sierra College Center located in Bishop and Mammoth Lakes (5%), and Online students (18%). Out of the 308 graduates, 215 graduated with an Associate of Arts degree, with 77 receiving an Associate of Science degree. Thirty-one graduates received Certificate's of Achievement. Thirty-four students graduated with honors with 11 of them obtaining a 4.0 grade point average.

Dr. Mary Retterer, Interim President of Cerro Coso Community College stated to the graduates "Today is only the beginning for you, that's why we call today "commencement." Some of you are undoubtedly planning on attending a university and pursuing a baccalaureate degree. Perhaps even a master's or doctorate. You have a terrific start and a solid base for university work!"

Doug Schweitzer was selected as the Alumni Association's Distinguished Commencement Speaker. Schweitzer a native of Canada, moved to Ridgecrest to play baseball for the College. In addition to playing baseball, he helped manage Dr. Rosenberg's Community Outreach Program by placing over 40 Cerro Coso students in elementary school to assist the younger students and to encourage them to continue their education. He graduated with honors from Cerro Coso in 2001. Schweitzer returned to Canada and began working full time with the homeless and a risk youth. He is also involved in politics having worked on six political campaigns. Schweitzer received his law degree from the University of Manitoba in 2006. He and his wife Jennifer live in Calgary, Alberta where he works at the largest law firm in Western Canada.

The Academic Senate selected three graduates to address the assemblage, Ted Higle (A.A. in General Education) and Scott Toborg (A.A.) in General Education) both from the Indian Wells Valley Campus and Christine Effinger (A.A. in General Education who attended the Kern River Valley Campus.

Graduates enter the gym following faculty members Kimberlee Kelly (left) and Heather Ostash (right).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Joann Handeland, Director of Public Information (760) 384-6230