Glen Oaks Community College will hold its 55th Annual Commencement ceremony at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 5, in Ken Schuler Court (Glen Oaks gymnasium). The Health Sciences Pinning ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 6 at 10 a.m. in Ken Schuler Court for nursing and allied health students.
Both Commencement and the Health Sciences Pinning ceremonies will be livestreamed for public viewing. Graduates will have the opportunity to have their photos taken professionally prior to the start of the ceremony as well as during the walk across the stage.
There are 175 pending graduates with degrees and/or certificates being awarded. The average graduate’s age is 24 years old –- the youngest is 17 and the most senior is 68 years young. Their grade-point average is 3.3. Three dual enrolled high school students will be graduating from Glen Oaks with an associate degree before they graduate from their own high schools. There are 35 Early Middle College graduates. A total of 137 graduates will participate in Friday evening’s ceremony to receive their degrees and/or certificates.
Glen Oaks President Dr. David H. Devier will preside over the ceremony and will recognize recipients of several special awards to be announced as part of the evening’s festivities. These include the President’s Award, Outstanding Service Award, Adjunct Faculty Teaching Award, E. J. Shaheen Chair for Teaching Excellence, Distinguished Alumni Award, Up and Coming Distinguished Alumni Award and the Fellows Award.
A short video premier, “Viewpoint –- GOCC,” will be shown and features two Glen Oaks alumni Jenny Valdez and Tony Riddle. The video was produced for “Viewpoint by Dennis Quaid,” an award-winning short documentary series and the segment will be aired on national television in June. The segment tells the story of how Glen Oaks is changing lives for today’s high school students.
President Devier will confer the degrees and Dr. Adam Cloutier, vice-president of academics, will serve as grand marshal for the ceremony. Tonya Howden, vice-president of student services, will read the names of the candidates as they walk across the platform to receive their degrees.
The Vintage Brass will provide the music.
Family, friends and members of the community will be able to view the commencement and the Health Sciences Pinning ceremonies on three different platforms: the Glen Oaks website (glenoaks.edu); the Glen Oaks Facebook page or the Glen Oaks YouTube channel.
