California state Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon congratulated graduates at Rio Hondo College’s 55th annual Commencement Ceremony on May 24 and urged them to “make a difference.” The ceremony recognized 1,399 students who earned an estimated 2,001 academic degrees, including 653 degrees for transfer, which guarantee admission to the California State University system. Both figures top the College’s numbers for 2016-17. Also honored were three outstanding students who overcame challenges en route to earning their degrees – Brenda Coronel, Yarisma Rocha and Jason Hoang. All three have been accepted to UC Berkeley.
One of just two Tesla service technician training programs currently operating in the United States will graduate its first cohort of students from Rio Hondo College during a special ceremony from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 23. The students – three women and seven men – have completed a 12-week Tesla START program that included more than 800 hours of training, providing them with the skills necessary to be hired as service technicians at Tesla service centers across North America. The graduation and recognition ceremony will take place in the Rio Hondo College Automotive Shop. The event will feature remarks from Superintendent/President Teresa Dreyfuss, Board of Trustees President Madeline Shapiro, Tesla North American Service Senior Manager Michael Ojaghian and Tesla START graduate Natalie Dovales-Flores. Representatives of local, state and federal officials are also expected to honor students. Rio Hondo College is at 3600 Workman Mill Road, Whittier.
Rio Hondo College to Recognize Student Achievements in May Ceremonies
Rio Hondo College will hold a series of ceremonies at the end of May to celebrate students who have earned degrees and certificates, including a special event for nurses and for graduates of the College’s first-ever class of TESLA-trained technicians. On Wednesday, May 23, TESLA graduates will be honored at 4 p.m.; at 5 p.m., nurses will be recognized with a pinning ceremony. The College’s 55th annual Commencement Ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 24. All events will be at the College, 3600 Workman Mill Road, Whittier.
Rio Hondo College’s Forensics Speech and Debate Team placed third at the 2018 Phi Rho Pi National Competition, one of the program’s strongest showings in recent years. The team competed against 30 other schools in its division during the April 9-14 event in Daytona, Florida. More than 60 schools from 28 states took part in the program of competitions. Debate Coach Grant Tovmasian received the Collie-Taylor Coach Fellowship Award, which goes to the tournament’s most outstanding coaches.
Rio Hondo College will hold the world premiere of “Enemy/Flint,” a play that combines an exploration of the impact of water issues in Flint, Michigan, with the themes of Henrick Ibsen’s classic “An Enemy of the People.” Written by Long Beach-based playwright, actor and teaching artist Diana Burbano, the play will be directed by Julianna Stephanie Ojeda, a theater artist and former Rio Hondo College student. Some 32 students will act and serve as crew for the production. Performances are at 8 p.m. Thursday, April 26, Friday, April 27 and Saturday, April 28; and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 29 at Rio Hondo College’s Wray Theater, 3600 Workman Mill Road, Whittier.
Nearly 600 community members, administrators, staff and faculty attended Rio Hondo College’s annual “A Taste of Rio” event on April 27, raising an estimated $107,000 to support students with scholarships and other aid – achievements that outpaced all earlier events. The program – which featured food from 20 local restaurants as well as select libations, entertainment and more than 60 opportunity drawings – has become the Rio Hondo College Foundation’s signature event. This year’s program was held as a Silver Anniversary Edition, marking the foundation’s 25th year of assisting students.
Rio Hondo College is receiving acclaim for boosting earnings and employment in desired fields for career and technical education (CTE) students who earned certificates or degrees. The Strong Workforce Stars program awarded a Gold Star to the registered nursing program, Silver Star to the automotive technology program and seven Bronze Stars for programs ranging from fitness trainer to accounting.
Rio Hondo College and six other Los Angeles area community colleges will partner with the California College Promise Project to strengthen student support programs that boost graduation rates. The seven colleges will form a Community of Practice within the Los Angeles County Promises That Count initiative, a three-year effort to build on college Promise programs that waive first-year tuition and offer comprehensive programs of support services for new students.
Rio Hondo College Trustee Norma Edith Garcia will be honored as the 22nd state Senate District’s Woman of the Year at 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 27 at the Covina Center for the Performing Arts, 104 N. Citrus Ave., Covina. Garcia is the first woman to serve as chief deputy director of the Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Department. She co-founded the El Monte Promise Foundation, which creates a cradle-to-college path for area youth.
Follow-up Story: Rio Hondo College anthropology professor Adam Wetsman is one of four faculty members from the 114-campus California Community Colleges system to receive the 2018 Hayward Award for excellence in teaching and professional activities. Wetsman has promoted study abroad opportunities, promoted understanding of LGBTQ+ issues, written low-cost textbooks and secured $50,000 in funding for a student anthropology lab.
