Butte College Hosts 46th Annual Commencement Ceremony

Butte College marked its 46th Annual Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 29 at 7 p.m., 3536 Butte Campus Drive, Oroville.

Butte College President Dr. Kimberly Perry, along with the Butte-Glenn Community College District Board of Trustees presided. Thousands of faculty, staff, administrators, family, and friends celebrated this significant milestone in the lives of graduates.

A total of 1,585 degrees were conferred, including 944 Associate in Arts degrees and 641 Associate in Science degrees. This year's graduates came from 140 cities within California, and 15 other states.

"Our graduates this year range in ages from 18 to 63. Commencement marks an important milestone for anyone--at any age," said Dr. Kimberly Perry, Butte College President. "The road to college may not have been easy for some, so we applaud those who are the first in their family to attend college, those who had to overcome obstacles such as raising a family, those who needed to work part or full time to afford college, or those with life's other challenges. We're proud of all of our graduates."

Among the top degrees and certificates awarded include Social and Behavioral Science, University Studies, Business Administration, Registered Nursing, Office Administration, Fire Technology, and Administration of Justice.

Some graduates will also be transferring to institutions that include CSU Chico, CSU Fresno, CSU Long Beach, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC San Diego, Portland State University, University of Hawaii, and University of Reno, to name a few.

Those students graduating with a 4.0 grade point average include Lauren Badour, Kelsi Dancer, Jenna Fedrizzi, Kyla Linville, Rina Matsuda, Meghan Rackley, Koll Roberts, Deborah Sandoval, Delayne Jo Stoneman, and Kaitlyn Wright.

Butte College's 2015 student commencement speaker was Lisa Thao, 19, Oroville, who received an Associate in Arts Degree in University Studies with an emphasis in Social Science. She plans to transfer to CSU, Chico to pursue a bachelor's degree in social work.

Thao also served as the Vice President of Fellowship for Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Thao's commencement speech focused on her individual journey to graduate from college and the support she received along the way.

"My experience at Butte College has been phenomenal. I began my journey as a College Connection Student while in high school. Choosing Butte College was the best decision I have made. Spending my first two years of college at Butte, helped prepare me for what is yet to come. I had the opportunity to work with amazing individuals who inspired and motivated me to become who I am today," said Thao.

Commencement vocalist De'jha Ariele Tucker, 26, Oakland, sang the National Anthem. Tucker received her Associate's Degree in Social and Behavioral Science and plans to transfer to Sacramento State University to pursue a degree in psychology.

Preceding the ceremony there was a short musical program presented by Butte College's newly formed orchestra under the direction of Shelley Fairchild.

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Butte College serves Butte and Glenn Counties, provides classes to roughly 13,000 students each semester,
and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC).