IWV Campus
Cerro Coso Community College Commencement Exercises were held in the Gym
of the Raymond A. McCue Athletic Complex on Friday, May 14.
Friends, relatives, staff and faculty gathered to honor a class of 262
eligible graduates from the Indian Wells Valley Campus, South Kern Center at
Edwards Air Force Base, Kern River Valley Center in Lake Isabella, Eastern
Sierra College Center located in Bishop and Mammoth Lakes, and Online
students. Out of the 262 graduates, 166 graduated
With an Associate of Arts degree, with 66 receiving an Associate of Science
degree. Thirty graduates received Certificate's of Achievements, five
students are 4.0 graduates,34 graduated with honors, and 38 were Phi Theta
Kappa honor graduates. Dr. Donald Rosenberg and Dr. Dennis VanderWerff
retiring faculty members served as the Faculty Marshalls 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, Dawn
Spevak (A.S. in Vocational Nursing), who attended the Kern River Valley
Campus; Lara "Rose" Wall (A.S. in Business); and Michelle Montemayor (A.A.
in General Education) both from the Indian Wells Valley Campus.
Ridgecrest Chief of Police Ron Strand has been selected as the Alumni
Association's Distinguished Speaker. He is a 1995 graduate of Cerro
Coso Community College earning an Associate Degree in Administration of
Justice. He also holds a Bachelors degree from the University of La
Verne in Organizational Management. He has been with the Ridgecrest
Police Department nearly 25 years and is an Excellent example of what hard
work, determination and a degree in higher education can do for your future.
Assistant Secretary of the Navy, (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) the
Honorable Juan M. Garcia, III addressed the graduates and the assemblage.
The Jazz Tones, a twelve member musical group from the Kern River Valley
performed a pre-commencement concert.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Natalie Dorrell, Public Information (760) 384-6260