2011 Grossmont College Grads Celebrate 50th Commencement

The Grossmont Community College campus was electric with excitement on Wednesday night as the school celebrated its 50^th commencement.

Approximately 415 of the 1,504 graduates ranging from age 18 to 64 attended the evening ceremony with family and friends, and 93 Santee residents were among those being awarded degrees. 

Commencement speakers reminded members of the 2011 class to set their goals high and that life is one big long educational adventure, because the learning process does not end with the turning of a tassel.

Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Chancellor (GCCCD) Cindy L. Miles, Ph.D. was among the first to address the crowd.

“Research shows that most of you have been working part or full time throughout your education, and that many of you have families,” Miles said. “We know this hasn’t been easy. But I promise you will not regret the efforts you have made.”

Commencement speakers, Grossmont College Alumni Christina Csanadi Deckard and 2011 graduate , reminded attendees that only through facing and overcoming adversity can one’s full potential be reached.

“When I began college in 1978 it was not uncommon for women to be disallowed to enroll in physics or engineering classes at four-year universities. After my first year away, for varying reasons; I returned to San Diego and enrolled at Grossmont,”  Csanadi Deckard said. “I was the only female in my physics class, and even when I transferred to San Diego State University there were only three females in the science department.”

Csanadi Deckard said that despite the challenges she faced, she faced and climbed obstacles set before her. Today she works as an internationally recognized expert in laser technology.

Snowball, who will be attending UC Berkley in the fall to pursue a bachelors degree in political science, said that he never thought he was someone who would come back to school.

“I was diagnosed with severe depression when I was a teenager and despite my best efforts I fell behind in many of my high school classes and did not have enough units to graduate,” he said. “After high school my general manager told me he thought I was wasting my time by going back, and that I was definitely not college material.  I am glad I didn’t listen to him.”

Upon completion of his degree at UC Berkley Snowball said he wants to “someday get a law degree and come back to San Diego,” he said.

Grossmont Graduate Heather Circle said that with her art degree she hopes to begin working in a museum. 

“Grossmont has been a great experience,” Circle said. “I studied art with an emphasis in art history, and I’m excited to begin using what I learned while I was here.”

Csanadi Deckard reminded students that the road ahead is paved with opportunities.

“The road ahead is completely open,” she said.  “And I know you’re going to make the world a better place.”