May 20, 2004
INFORMATION: John McElwain or John Green, (661) 362-3494 or 3684
Record Number of Students to Graduate College of the Canyons
SANTA CLARITA A record 997 students have applied for graduation at College of the Canyons an increase of 27 percent over last year.
Commencement will be celebrated at 6 p.m. Friday, May 21, in the outdoor central-campus Honor Grove, the traditional site for the graduation ceremony.
A record number of degrees also will be conferred 1,013 degrees, as some students will earn more than one degree. The increase in graduates and degrees is a major achievement, as last year there was a 4 percent increase.
The 2004 graduating class is composed of 610 women and 387 men, with 34 percent being ethnic minorities.
This year’s class will receive associate of arts or associate of science degrees reflecting their accomplishments in 42 distinct courses of study.
The average age of the class is 26, exactly the same as last year’s. The youngest graduate is 17, and the eldest is 66.
Nineteen international students will receive degrees this year, representing six countries: Japan, People's Republic of China, Taiwan, Argentina, Sweden and Jamaica.
The popular Progressive Adult College Education (PACE) program will graduate 95 students, a tremendous 132 percent increase over last year.
Of the students who participated in the college’s Disabled Student Programs & Services, 35 will graduate, representing a 106 percent increase over last year.
Thirty-three students who participated in the Extended Opportunities Program & Services will graduate, a slight decrease in number.
The graduating class grade-point average (GPA) is 3.05, slightly higher than last year’s average GPA of 3.03.
Twelve students will graduate as valedictorians, having posted perfect 4.0 GPAs (straight As) during their studies at the college. This is a 171 percent increase, as last year there were five students.
Representing the valedictorians as featured speakers are Tiffany Tatevossian, Danila Coppola and Erin Tisovic. The number of honors graduates those graduating with a GPA of 3.5 or better is 214, a 39 percent increase.
The academic major with the highest number of graduates is social science, with 111 graduates. The nursing program will have 92 RN/LVN graduates.
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