Citrus College Honors Graduates, Alumni at Commencement Ceremony

Citrus College celebrated the academic achievements of 1,451 students during its 103rd annual commencement ceremony on June 15.

The Citrus College class of 2019 includes students ages 18 to 70 years old, 69 international students representing 11 different countries and 446 students graduating with honors. Of the many degrees awarded, 1,068 were associate degrees for transfer.

"Commencement is one of the college's most important and highly anticipated events. Citrus College faculty and staff invest a lot of effort into ensuring that it is a beautiful and memorable occasion for the graduates who have worked so hard to accomplish their goals," said Dr. Geraldine M. Perri, superintendent/president of Citrus College. "The Citrus College class of 2019 is a diverse group of scholars whose stories of success are inspirational. It is an honor to be part of their journey toward academic, professional and personal growth."

This year's graduating class also included 51 student veterans. Among them was Joshua Jones, a Pomona resident and veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

"If I am a success, it is because of all of the students and instructors I met at Citrus College who challenged me to grow my skills and motivated me to be better than the lazy teenager of my past," he said. "After transferring to Cal Poly Pomona this fall, my goal is to hit the ground running. I do not ever want it to be said that I didn't give it my all, so I need to maintain the pace that I've set for myself."

Glendora resident Ibrahim Abboud is also planning to transfer to a four-year university in the fall. He says that graduating from Citrus College this past Saturday was a major personal accomplishment.

"Immigrating from Syria has made me open up a new chapter here. I started from the bottom and I'm working my way to the top. I know that, through hard work and determination, anything is possible," the 21-year-old biology major said. "On the day of graduation, I stood on that stage in my cap and gown and held a piece of paper that represented all of my hard work. At that moment, I knew I did the best that I could."

In addition to celebrating graduates, the commencement ceremony also provided Citrus College with an opportunity to honor outstanding alumni. Dr. Martin A. Gundersen, a Citrus College student in the late 1950s, and Mr. Sal Medina, a member of the class of 1995, were each presented with a 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award during the event.

"Using their Citrus College education as the foundation for remarkable careers, this year's Distinguished Alumni Award recipients can be credited with exemplary professional accomplishments and lasting contributions to their communities. Their many achievements reflect the college's vision and mission," said Susan M. Keith, president of the Citrus Community College District Board of Trustees. "Each individual honored during this year's commencement ceremony, whether they are an alumnus or a graduate, is an outstanding ambassador for the college. Their personal successes advance Citrus College's reputation for being a leader in higher education."