Río Hondo College Set to Honor More than 1,660 Graduates
Río Hondo College will host its 61st annual Commencement Ceremony at 9 a.m. on Friday, May 24 in Student Parking Lot A. The event will celebrate 1,664 graduates and candidates for Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees. A total of 951 students will receive an Associate Degree of Transfer and eight will receive Bachelors of Science. Orange County Superior Court Judge Bryan Clavecilla, a RHC alumnus, will deliver the keynote speech, while Mary Becerril, who has given 38 years of dedicated service to Río Hondo College, will be honored as the 2024 Fellow of the College during the ceremony. Río Hondo College is located at 3600 Workman Mill Rd., Whittier.
Río Hondo College’s Dance Program will showcase the talents of its students, faculty, and guest artists during its spring 2024 concert, “Interwoven Beats: Dances of Connection.” It is the final one of two annual department concerts the program puts on each school year. Admission is free but a donation of $10 for the Dance Program is encouraged and will be accepted at the door.
Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez presented Río Hondo College with a check for nearly $1 million in federal funding to upgrade its Police Academy Regional Training Center during an April 26 ceremony. The funding, which was secured by Sánchez in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024, will be used to install new scenario-based learning environments and virtual reality technology, which will place cadets in emotionally charged, simulated settings that reflect real law enforcement incidents, allowing them to safely learn from mistakes and improve their performance and responses.
Río Hondo College Prepares for Second Annual Invention Camp
Río Hondo College, in partnership with Lemelson-MIT, will host its second annual Invention Camp Río program from Monday, July 15 to Friday, July 26. Led by Río Hondo College business, engineering, and architecture faculty members, Invention Camp Río strives to help participants think creatively and work independently to solve problems in the community. Participants will learn about the invention process, how to generate a business plan and how to pitch a product that can later become patented. Applications for the camp are due by May 24. Río Hondo College is located at 3600 Workman Mill Rd., Whittier.
Río Hondo College Prepares for ‘A Taste of Río’ Student Fundraiser
Río Hondo College will host its marquee annual fundraiser, “A Taste of Río,” on Friday, June 7. The event runs from 6 to 9 p.m., with a VIP preview at 5 p.m., and features culinary delights, fine wine and craft beer, captivating entertainment, and a silent auction. Hosted by the Río Hondo College Foundation, “A Taste of Río” raises funds for scholarships, programs and equipment to support RHC students. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit riohondo.edu/a-taste-of-rio. Río Hondo College is located at 3600 Workman Mill Rd., Whittier.
Río Hondo College will host its second annual Invention Camp Río program for adults 18 years and older and high school students. In partnership with Lemelson-MIT, Río Hondo College faculty members in the disciplines of business, engineering and architecture will collaboratively lead the Invention Camp Río. Participants will learn the invention process, prototyping, how to generate a business plan and a pitch for a product that can later become patented. A makerspace lab will be available to help design their product. The Invention Camp Río program aims to help participants think creatively and learn to work independently and in teams to solve problems in the community.
The Río Hondo College Foundation will host “Roadrunner Madness,” a faculty vs. administration volleyball match as part of a fundraising event to support student scholarships. The event is open to the public, with tickets available for purchase online now for $15. Individuals can contribute to support the event and Río Hondo College’s students, regardless of their ability to attend, by donating here.
he Río Hondo College Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Division will host its second annual Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) Festival for local elementary, middle and high school students. The free community event will allow families to conduct hands-on experiments orchestrated by Río Hondo College students, faculty and community partners in chemistry, physics, engineering, biology, arts and more. Entry and parking for the three-hour event are complimentary, but registrations are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis at this link. Participant students will get prizes for finishing STEAM activities along with free raffle prizes for a few lucky winners.
Bryan Clavecilla’s journey to being appointed Orange County Superior Court Judge took him through Río Hondo College in 2003. Designated by California Governor Gavin Newsom for the judgeship on Jan. 29, Clavecilla is quick to credit the College for leading him to a successful future and providing him with experiences – on the College’s Speech & Debate and Wrestling teams – that helped develop his critical thinking and public speaking skills, giving him the confidence to pursue his goal of becoming a trial attorney.
Río Hondo College students, staff and community leaders gathered for a ribbon-cutting celebration to mark the grand opening of the institution’s first Pride Center on Feb. 15, thanks to financial support from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO). The Pride Center provides students with a place to bond in community and access support resources. Located near Río Hondo College’s Administration Building, the center is a place where students can rest and study, meet with counselors for academic appointments and connect with support staff and other students.
