May 22, 2002
INFORMATION: Sue Bozman or John McElwain, (661) 362-3415 or 3494

College of the Canyons Graduates 757 on May 24

SANTA CLARITA ­ The 2002 graduating class at College of the Canyons will celebrate commencement at 6 p.m. Friday, May 24. Seven-hundred-fifty-seven students have applied for graduation and will receive a total of 762 associate degrees ­ with four students receiving double degrees. This is a 16 percent increase over last year.-

The class consists of 493 women and 264 men. They will assemble in the central-campus, outdoor Honor Grove that has become the site of the traditional graduation ceremony.

This year's class will receive associate of arts or associate of science degrees reflecting their accomplishments in 39 major courses of study. The average age of the class is 26.4 years, down from last year's 27.1 years of age. The youngest graduate is 17, and the eldest is 69.

Thirty-one international students representing 14 countries will receive degrees this year. Sixty-nine students are graduating from the popular Progressive Adult College Education (PACE) program, a 25.5 percent increase over last year. Disabled Student Programs & Services (DSP&S) will graduate 28, and there are 26 students receiving degrees who participated in the Extended Opportunity Program & Services (EOPS).

The grade-point average (GPA) of the graduating class is 3.02, identical to last year's class GPA. Five students ­ four women and one man ­ are graduating as valedictorians, having posted perfect 4.0 GPAs.

The subject area with the highest number of graduates is social science, boasting 238 graduates. There are 134 general arts and sciences graduates, while small business management and biological and physical science are each awarding 46 degrees. The popular nursing program will have 42 graduates. Ethnic minorities comprise 35.9 percent of the graduating class.

The number of students who achieve enough credits to transfer to four-year colleges and universities, as well as those who have worked toward completion of certificate programs, will not be available until later this summer.