Saddleback College will recognize its 3,456 graduates who, in total, are earning 4,920 associate degrees and 2,956 certificates of achievement at the college’s commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 23 at 5:30 p.m. at the Saddleback College Stadium. California State Senator Josh Newman will serve as keynote speaker of the event, which will include the traditional processional and reading of the graduates’ names.
Dr. Elliot Stern, President of Saddleback College, stated, “Commencement is always a special time at Saddleback, when we celebrate the achievements of our graduates, who recognized the importance of higher education and made the very wise decision to come to Saddleback College. I could not be more proud of the Graduating Class of 2024 and wish them all the success in the world as they continue their studies and pursue their careers.”
During the ceremony, special recognition will be given to Professor of the Year Dr. Kiana Tabibzadeh, Associate Professor of the Year Brooke Campbell, and Emeritus Institute Professor of the Year Elizabeth Chavez. The featured student speakers are Zahraa Ghazi, Ezra-Ezeekial Green and Mary-Katherine Sills. President of the South Orange County Community College Board of Trustees, Timothy Jemal, will lead the conferral of degrees and certificates, and Chancellor Juliana M. Barnes will offer the closing remarks.
Of Saddleback’s graduates, 1,833 are graduating with honors: 857 Cum Laude, 795 Magna Cum Laude, and 181 Summa Cum Laude. One hundred seventy-seven graduates are age 55 and older, and 2,114 are age 20 and younger.
In addition to those who are earning associate degrees and certificates, more than 3,500 Saddleback students will be transferring to four-year colleges and universities in the fall semester. This year, Saddleback students were accepted to four-year universities including Princeton, Harvard, Stanford, Cornell, USC, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, San Diego State University, and CSU Fullerton.
Those not able to attend the ceremony will be able to watch a livestream available at www.saddleback.edu/commencement.