Presentation of Flags (The Color Guard Unit will enter into the Graduation area from the south side coming up the center aisle.)

Transcription

1 GRADUATION SCRIPT 2010 FINAL COPY Processional (The Platform Party enters into the Graduation area followed by the faculty and graduates.) (This is a roped off area. Please leave open for Color Guard.) Presentation of Flags (The Color Guard Unit will enter into the Graduation area from the south side coming up the center aisle.) Color Guard Advance. (College President must advance Color Guard for them to move up the aisle. While the Color Guard is moving up the aisle CD march style music will be playing in background. Wes will not be talking over the music.) (College President starts script once Color Guard is set and facing the audience.) I would like to ask the audience to please stand, and all gentlemen to remove your hats or mortar boards in respect for our flag and hold them in your right hand. At this time I would like to introduce the Associated Student Body President, Steven Sewell, who is graduating this evening. He will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. (Steven) In a salute to our great nation, please place your right hand over your heart and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance, Star Spangled Banner, and the dismissal of the Color Guard. Ready. Begin. (Steven gives direction to audience for salute to flag and leads pledge. When completed he will step back with the platform party and stand.) 1

2 (Wes walks back to podium for introduction of Men s Choral.) Tonight we have a unique presentation of the original 1814 version Star Spangled Banner. Sung by the Golden West College Men s Choral under the direction of Dr. Bruce Bales, GWC Choral Director. (Audience and Platform Party) (Standing for Pledge, Star Spangled Banner followed by Color Guard dismissal.) Color Guard Dismissed. (Wes returns to podium and immediately dismisses Color Guard. Wes waits for Color Guard to leave graduation area and audience standing before starting script. Color Guard walks down the center isle and exits graduation area.) 2 minutes (Begin Welcome Remarks for Graduation 2010.) Welcome. Graduates and guests, you may be seated now. (Everyone takes a seat.) We thank the Criminal Justice Training Center, Color Guard for the RBC Class 140 for presenting the flags this evening. My name is Wes Bryan and I have the honor of being the 7 th College President for this great institution. What a privilege it is to welcome you as our special guests to this, the 43 rd annual Golden West College commencement ceremony. We are here to salute the graduating students and to recognize the Golden West faculty for their efforts in contributing to the success of the students we honor tonight. For 43 years Golden West College has been holding graduation ceremonies to honor graduates. We have had a rich tradition, and it continues tonight as we recognize these graduates for their accomplishments. (Applause.) I would like to call your attention to the flags that surround us. They represent some of the countries of our international students. We are especially pleased this year that 29 of our international students are receiving the Associate of Arts Degree, and 19 are receiving their Vocational Certificates of Achievement. These students are 2

3 representing 12 countries, and they are our informal ambassadors. Classroom discussions have been enriched because of the cultural perspectives they have shared with us. And when they return home, we trust they will have positive stories to share about their time with our Golden West family. We are very proud of the number of students who will be receiving their Associate of Arts Degree and Certificate of Achievement. This year the college will award 774 students the Associate of Arts degree, which includes the Summer 2009, Fall 2009 and Spring 2010 Semesters. Many of these students will be recognized at tonight s ceremony. There are 35 occupational areas in which our students may receive Certificates of Achievement. 22 of those areas are being represented this evening. This year the College will award 619 students their certificates. The total number of degrees and certificates awarded this year is 1,393. Our oldest graduate is 68, and our youngest is students will graduate with honors having earned a 3.5 grade point average or higher and 6 graduates earned a perfect 4.0. I would like to have the 4.0 students stand and remain standing as I call out their names to be recognized and honored. Harry C. Battin Elizabeth A. Cavers Sumair G. Devani Kyle L. Grant ThanhPhuong T. Le Nhi X. Truong Congratulations on all your accomplishments. You may be seated. (Applause. 4.0 Students sit down again.) 3

4 (Wes reads about robe descriptions.) You may have noticed that the graduates are wearing different colored robes, cords and stoles. 1. Graduates receiving the Associate in Arts degree are wearing green. 2. Gold gowns are being worn by students receiving the Certificate of Achievement. 3. Graduates from our nursing program are wearing white. 4. Our Puente graduates are wearing a dark blue sash. 5. Students wearing a gold cord are graduating with honors. 6. Finally, those who are wearing the gold stole are members of the Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society. While we are here tonight to honor our graduates, please take a moment to look at the Scholarships and Awards section in the program. We are extremely proud of the fact that Golden West College has awarded over $3 million in scholarships to our students through the Golden West College Foundation since There are students who will cross the platform tonight because of the assistance and support provided by scholarships as well as State and Federal awards. Making education affordable is a worthy goal. It is how we prepare a competitive workforce and an educated populace. At this time it is my pleasure to introduce the members of the Platform Party. 4

5 Members of the Coast Community College District Board of Trustees with us this evening are: Mr. Jerry Patterson, President Mrs. Mary L. Hornbuckle Mr. Jim Moreno Mr. Walter Howald Mr. Robert Lane, Student Trustee Representatives from the Coast Community College District include: Dr. Ding-Jo Currie, Interim Chancellor Dr. Joe Quarles, Vice Chancellor, Human Resources Mr. John Breihan, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor, Golden West College representatives include: Dr. Lois Miller, Vice President of Instruction, Dr. Diane Restelli, Academic Senate President & Professor of Nursing Mr. Russell Terry, Golden West College Professor and Counselor, Mr. Greg Wight, Professor of Design and GWC s Teacher of the Year Mr. Steven Sewell, Associated Student Body President, Ms. Patricia Elizondo this year s recipient of the R. Dudley Boyce Award, and our guest speaker, Mr. Robert V. Bobby McDonald, President and Executive Director of the Black Chamber of Commerce and California Community College Alumnus. (Introduction of R. Dudley Boyce Award.) I now invite Professor Russ Terry to the podium to introduce this year s R. Dudley Boyce Outstanding Student of the Year for

6 (Russ Terry) (Russ Terry will introduce the recipient of the R. Dudley Boyce award and make a brief statement about the person. No more than 2 minutes.) (R. Dudley Boyce Recipient, Patricia Elizondo) Recipient s Response (Recipient gives a brief acceptance speech--no more than 2 minutes.) (Wes Bryan) Introduction of Speaker Selecting a graduation speaker is a presidential task I take on with care and thought. I know this is your day, shared by faculty, staff, and family who helped make your graduation possible. You did the heavy lifting; they provided you the necessary support. I choose speakers who help tell your story to show you by example where this day can take you. People who remind us all that the ultimate goal of education is service to others, weather as a more effective employee, a caring co-worker, a supportive parent, an activist in your community or in public service, or in your chosen profession. I make it a practice to select someone who is a community college graduate. Someone who has walked the walk you have walked. Someone who has crossed a similar stage, received a diploma, and then walked off the stage to do good things -- for their family, their profession, their community and others who have needed their assistance. Graduates that volunteer, fight for better communities, advocate for improved educational opportunities, and become leaders, because they care. Their stories not only inspire you as graduates, they also remind those of us who helped you along your path why this was such a noble idea. Often these talks help to motivate others in the audience who might be wondering if they should go back to school it s never too late to go back to school. Bobby McDonald is one of us. He was the Student Body President at Los Angeles Harbor College, right down the 405. He graduated from Cal State Fullerton, where he has been President of the CSUF Alumni Association. He is a U.S. Navy Vietnam Veteran. Currently he is President and Executive Director of the Black Chamber of Commerce of 6

7 Orange County, a founder of the Orange County President's Council and a founding member of the Orange County Sports Hall of Fame. Most recently, he was appointed by the Governor to the State Board of Governors of the California Community College System where he chairs the Veteran s Affairs Committee. While you can read more about him in the program, the most important thing I can say about Bobby is that he is one of us a community college alumni, advocate and friend. Please join me in welcoming Bobby McDonald as our 2010 graduation speaker. (Mr. Robert V. Bobby McDonald) (Mr. McDonald will speak for minutes to graduating class and attendees.) Commencement Address Presentation of Class (Wes will come to the podium and introduce Mr. Jerry Patterson for Presentation of Class.) I would like to ask the President of the Board of Trustees for the Coast Community District, Mr. Jerry Patterson, to please come forward for the presentation of the class. (Jerry Patterson) (Mr. Patterson comes to podium for Presentation of Class.) On behalf of the Coast Community College District Board of Trustees, I accept the 43 rd graduating class of The students before you have satisfactorily completed all requirements for the Associate of Arts degree or Certificate of Achievement and are eligible to receive their diplomas and certificates. May they continue their pursuit of personal achievements and strengthen their commitments to our society. (After Jerry accepts the class, Wes reads.) This is the moment you and your families have been waiting for. Would the graduates please come forward and accept their degrees and certificates. 7

8 (ASGWC Student Marshals direct graduates to form a line to receive diplomas.) (Readers of names get into place next to microphone, east side of stage.) (Lois/Diane) Reading of Names (Lois Miller and Diane Restelli read from the microphones the names of students. Microphone located on the east side of platform, ground level. Student Activities Staff member will assist with graduate cards.) (Greg) (Handing out the diploma covers to students.) (Pictures taken with students as they pass by on stage.) (College President returns to podium for closing.) Closing Remarks And now Graduates, the time you have been waiting for you can official move your tassel from the left side to the right side. Congratulations on all your accomplishments. This will conclude our 2010 Commencement ceremony. We ask that the audience remain seated during the recessional until the last graduate has exited the graduation area. Immediately following the conclusion of this ceremony, we invite you to join us for the reception hosted by the Associated Students on the south end of the Central Quad. Thank you for attending this evening s celebration. 5/19/10 Revision 8