Saddleback College recognized 1,472 graduates and 981 certificate of achievement recipients.

Of those, 346 received honors, including 31 summa cum laude (4.0 grade point average), 125 magna cum laude (3.75 to 3.99 grade point average) and 190 cum laude (3.5 to 3.74 grade point average). 

The youngest graduate was 17 years of age, and the most senior graduate was 71 years of age. 

The commencement address was delivered by Alumna of the Year Frances Dilorinzo, a comedienne and writer who appeared on BNC's Last Comic Standing.  The student speaker was Justin Huft, who will attend UC Irvine. 

President Tod Burnett, 2010-2011 Academic Senate President Carmen Dominguez, Board President Nancy Padberg and Trustee T.J. Prendergast smiled as they marched into commencement.

Honored Professor of the Year, Kris Leppien-Christensen (R), and Associate Professor of the Year Teresa Bear (L) watch proudly as students flip their tassles!

Music rocked the house as balloons dropped on the grads.
The audience cheered, laughed and cried tears of joy.

Professor Bob Parsons was honored for being the "last of the first,"

the last member of Saddleback College's first faculty who taught

since the college first opened in 1968.

Congratulations

Irvine Valley College Class of 2011!

IVC awarded the largest number of degrees and certificates in IVC's history with 659 Associate of Arts Degrees; 66 Associate of Science Degrees; and 998 Certificates of Achievement.

Of those, 23 graduated summa cum laude, 78 graduated magna cum laude, and 214 graduated cum laude. The youngest graduate was 15 years of age, and the most senior graduate was 73 years of age. 

Martin J. Smith, Editor-in-Chief, Orange Coast Magazine served as Commencement Speaker. Irvine resident Jonathon Stebel, president of IVC's Phi Theta Kappa served as Student Commencement Speaker. 

Eve Shieh graduates (L); a proud graduate celebrates with family (R).

This year's commencement class included 26 students from Beckman High School in Tustin, part of IVC's first graduating class of Early College students.

Vice President of Instruction Craig Justice honors David Lacy as Associate Professor of the Year. Richard Caramagno (not shown)

was honored as Emeritus Institute Professor of the Year.

A spirit of celebration filled the evening as students gathered with family and friends to take photos.

************************************************************************************************************************

May 23, 2011

District Update by Tere Fluegeman, SOCCCD Public Affairs, 949-582-4920, tfluegeman@socccd.edu