News Release

All Campuses

Cerro Coso Honors Graduates During the 35th Commencement Exercise

May 19, 2008

Cerro Coso Community College's 35th Commencement Exercises were held in the Gym of the Raymond A. McCue Athletic Complex on Friday evening, May 16.

Friends, relatives, staff and faculty gathered to honor a class of 243 eligible graduates from the Indian Wells Valley Campus in Ridgecrest (61%), South Kern Center at Edwards Air Force Base (6%), Kern River Valley Center in Lake Isabella (7%), Eastern Sierra College Center located in Bishop and Mammoth Lakes (9%), and Online students (17%). Out of the 243 students, 188 graduated with an Associate of Arts degree, with 36 receiving an Associate of Science degree. Nineteen graduates received Certificate's of Achievement. Twenty-two students made the President's List, 7 graduates graduated with honors, and 37 were Phi Theta Kappa honor graduates. Dr. Don Rosenburg and Ms. Gayle Whitlock served as the Faculty Marshals for Commencement.

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

The Academic Senate selected three graduates to address the assemblage, Stacy Howell (A.A. in General Education) who attended the Kern River Valley Campus, and Sam Irving (A.A. General Science) and Aaron Obenza (A.A. in General Education) both from the Indian Wells Valley Campus.

Jennifer Claire was selected as the Alumni Association's Distinguished Commencement Speaker. Claire graduated from Cerro Coso nine years ago and today she holds a bachelor's degree in social science with an emphasis in psychology (cum laude), a master's degree in health science (summa cum laude) and a graduate certificate in law (4.0 G.P.A.). She is presently working on her doctorate in education. Claire recently wrote a book about her life's experiences, The Secrets of a Nigh Nigh. She also just established the Jennifer Claire Educational Advancement Scholarship at Cerro Coso to assist others who need financial assistance in pursuing their educational goals. Claire teaches clinical and administrative medical assistant classes for Kaplan University. She and her daughter reside in Washington state.

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