52ND ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT 2019 Angel of the Winds Arena at Everett 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 7 GRADUATING CLASS OF 2019 Bachelor of Applied 13 Science degrees awarded Transfer degrees 811 awarded 726 Career degrees 1,741 or certificates awarded Degrees, diplomas, 191 GEDs or high school certificates, and GEDs diplomas awarded (1,550 without GED or high school diploma count included) 51% Female 46% 28 Male Average age of graduates (3% did not answer) 16 69 Age of Age of 22% YOUNGEST OLDEST International GRADUATE GRADUATE high school Business students completion Management ATA 2019 Commencement Dear Graduate: Congratulations! Due to your hard work and persistence, you have accomplished a big step toward a brighter future. On behalf of our Edmonds Community College Board of Trustees and employees, I wish you success as you continue to pursue excellence in your academic and career goals. I also encourage you to continue to use campus resources such as the library, the Center for Families child care, and the Wellness Center. The Career Action Center’s services may prove especially useful with online job listings, resume critiques, mock interviews, and assistance with finding an internship. Find out more at edcc.edu/careeractioncenter​. Please keep in touch. We want to hear about your future success. You can stay connected in numerous ways: • Connect with us on LinkedIn and Facebook • Follow us on Twitter and Instagram • Share your journey at edcc.edu/yourstory • Visit edcc.edu/news for up-to-date college news and events. Join the Edmonds CC Alumni Association to stay connected to the college and your fellow alumni, get discounts at the bookstore, and attend alumni networking events. Learn more at edcc.edu/foundation . I trust that during your time at Edmonds CC you’ve developed an appreciation for the value of lifelong learning. Down the road, you may decide to add more job skills, change careers, or develop a personal interest. We’ll be here, and I hope that you’ll consider returning so we can help you reach your next goals. Again, congratulations and best wishes as you take your next steps. Sincerely, Dr. Amit B. Singh Edmonds CC President @EdmondsCCPrez INSPIRING EXCELLENCE. EVERY DAY. 3 Edmonds Community College Our Program Edmonds Community College Concert Band “Pomp and Circumstance” by Sir Edward Elgar Presentation of Honor Guard/National Anthem Naval Station Everett Honor Guard Introduction of Guests Dr. Patrick Averbeck, Commencement Faculty Coordinator, Mathematics Department Welcome Dr. Amit B. Singh, President, Edmonds Community College Mustapha Samateh, Administrative Liaison, Associated Students of Edmonds Community College (ASEdCC) Student Speakers Felicia Bryan, High School Diploma Thuong (Valerie) Cung, Associate in Science Edmonds Community College Concert Band Directed by Music Instructor Steve Mostovoy “Pictures at an Exhibition,” by Modest Mussorgsky, arranged by Michael Sweeney Presentation of 2019 Graduating Class Christina Castorena, Vice President for Student Services Dr. Charlie Crawford, Executive Vice President for Instruction Conferring of Diplomas Dr. Tia Benson Tolle, Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Amit B. Singh, President Members of the Board of Trustees Recessional “Pomp and Circumstance” by Sir Edward Elgar Reception View Lounge, Angel of the Winds Arena at Everett 4 2019 Commencement Accreditation Edmonds Community College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and governed by the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. Board of Trustees Dr. Tia Benson Tolle Diana Clay Quentin Powers Emily Yim Carl Zapora Angela Durham – Student Trustee Commencement Committee and Volunteers Special thanks to all those who participated in the planning and implementation of this ceremony and to those Edmonds CC employees that made it possible for our students to reach their dreams of graduating from college. Student Speaker Selection Committee Each year a student committee gathers nominations and interviews and selects two commencement student speakers. We thank all the nominators, student finalists, and appreciate the hard work of the committee: Venezia Hartanto Miriam Iljina Quynh (Amy) Nguyen Vionna Susanto Vanessa Zelenovic Sign Language Services* Katrina Jarman Vikki Royal *Sign language interpreters are available for the hearing impaired. Look for a sign designating reserved seating or ask an usher for help. 5 Edmonds Community College Our Student Speakers Thuong (Valerie) Cung Associate in Science Valerie’s college journey began on an airplane three years ago –– during her first plane trip. Her parents had saved for the trip to take her family from the countryside of Vietnam back to her father’s home town for a visit. By chance, Valerie ended up sitting next to an Indian American man who is a retired engineer. Throughout the flight, they talked about her studies and goals, and shared stories about Vietnamese, Indian, and American culture. Within just 15 minutes of landing, the man asked if Valerie would like to study in the U.S. He also offered to cover the cost of tuition. “It was like a movie,” she said. “He’s not my relative, and he knew nothing about me, but he believed in my future.” Valerie is the first in her family to go to college and will be graduating with honors. She also credits her parents and their hard work as being her pillar of strength. Valerie’s accomplishments include: • Honor graduate • Edmonds CC Foundation scholarship • International Student Services (ISS) New and Transfer-In High School Student scholarship • ISS College Merit scholarship • 2019 Women Empowerment award • ISS Outstanding Employee award for her work as an activities programmer In the fall, Valerie will begin her studies at the University of Minnesota where she will pursue degrees in chemical engineering and pharmacy. Valerie’s advice to her fellow graduates : Learn to fail and fail to learn. It’s a process, but as long as you do not stop moving forward, you will achieve what you want. 6 2019 Commencement Felicia Bryan High School Diploma Felicia’s passion for knowledge was sparked at Edmonds CC after finding her way to the college’s Edmonds Career Access Program (EdCAP) program in 2016. EdCAP allows students ages 16-21 to earn high school and college credits at no cost on the college campus. Felicia’s plan was to earn her diploma and go straight into the workforce with a “starter” minimum wage job, but that changed after her first quarter. She excelled in her classes and earned her first “A” at Edmonds CC. In addition to academic success, Felicia was able to connect with her Native American heritage through a college summer program called Tribal Canoe Journey. The month-long journey pairs students with local tribal members to canoe hundreds of miles together along the Puget Sound coast. “This was the best month of my life,” Felicia said. “It was life changing and tested me mentally, physically, and spiritually.” Felicia’s accomplishments include: Edmonds CC Canoe Journey participant 2016 and 2017, member of the Edmonds Career Access Program, attendee of the 2019 Students of Color conference, and Edmonds CC International Night opening performer. With a focus on advocacy and social justice, Felicia plans to continue her studies at Edmonds CC and earn an Associate in Arts Transfer degree after completing fall quarter. Felicia’s advice to her fellow graduates : Never stop when you’ve hit the ground. If you hit a roadblock or you trip a little, it’s not over. The race is still going, and it doesn’t end until you cross the line. 7 Edmonds Community College GRADUATING BACHELOR OF APPLIED SCIENCE CHILD, YOUTH, AND FAMILY STUDIES CARPENTER, DWAYNE P. MUELLER, LEILANI N. CHOPPA, ANTHONY J. NELSON-VIETMEIER, ALENA CRAM, TONJA M. NELSON RICHARD A. EARENFIGHT, REBECCA L. PIERRE, RENEE S. EDWARDS, JUDITH L. THISTLE, TRESA M. HOWARD, TAMMY B. YAMAMOTO, ERI MEDINA, STEPHANIE N. ABAD, JULIO R., ASSOCIATE IN BUSINESS ABADER, AMIRA A., ASSOCIATE IN PRE-NURSING ABDEL ZAHERA, NASREEN M., CERT: CLINICAL LABORATORY ASSISTANT ABDEL-HAMID, ASMAA Z., ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE ABDELMALEK, MARINA G., ASSOCIATE IN ARTS ABRIZ, PRISCILIANO I., CERT: BUSINESS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY- MEDICAL OFFICE ABURABIE, FATIMA I., ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE ACETO, ANTHONY J., ASSOCIATE IN ARTS ACEVEDO, CINDY M., ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE ACUNA, JONATHAN, GENERAL EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT ADACHI, TAISHI, ASSOCIATE IN BUSINESS ADAMS, STEPHANIE N., ASSOCIATE IN ARTS ADE, ROBERT J., HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA ADEDIPE, OLAWALE K., CERT: ADVANCED PARALEGAL AFEWORK, HANA, HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA AGUILAR, ISABELLA M., HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA AGWU, GLORIA O., ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE AHINA, SHERI N., ATA: BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AHLSTEDT, TANNER D., HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA AHN, JANGSIK, ASSOCIATE IN ARTS, ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE AHONEN, SARA, HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA AIKO, TAKAE, CERT: ADVANCED PARALEGAL AINSWORTH, ALYSSA E., GENERAL EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT AKOPOVA, MARINA, CERT: PATIENT CARE TECHNICIAN AL-AUGHIR, SHAFEAA M., HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA AL-HEYARI, AWS R., ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE AL-QURISHI, FARAH, ASSOCIATE IN ARTS ALAHMED, HUSSAIN A., CERT: PROJECT MANAGEMENT ALAMEERI, RASHA, CERT: PHARMACY TECHNICIAN ALANIS, HOLLY, ASSOCIATE IN ARTS ALANIZ, ALEXANDRIA, CERT: EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ALBAYTARI, AL T., ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE ALBIN, SARA A., ASSOCIATE IN ARTS ALBRIGHT, AMANDA, ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE ALEXANDER, JAMIE, ASSOCIATE IN BUSINESS ALEXANDER, ROSE, ATA: PARALEGAL 8 2019 Commencement CLASS OF 2019 ALEXANDRIAN, PETER, ASSOCIATE IN ARTS ALHARAZI, ABDULKHALEQ, ASSOCIATE