GRADUATION SCRIPT 2010

FINAL COPY
Processional
(The Platform Party enters into the Graduation area followed by the faculty and graduates.)
(This is a roped off area. Please leave open for Color Guard.)

Presentation of Flags
(The Color Guard Unit will enter into the Graduation area from the south side coming up the center
aisle.)

(Wes) Color Guard Advance.

(College President must advance Color Guard for them to move up the aisle. While the Color
Guard is moving up the aisle CD march style music will be playing in background. Wes will not be
talking over the music.)

(College President starts script once Color Guard is set and facing the audience.)

I would like to ask the audience to please stand, and all gentlemen to
remove your hats or mortar boards in respect for our flag and hold
them in your right hand.

At this time I would like to introduce the 2009-2010 Associated

Student Body President, Steven Sewell, who is graduating this
evening. He will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

(Steven)
In a salute to our great nation, please place your right hand over your
heart and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance, Star
Spangled Banner, and the dismissal of the Color Guard.

Ready. Begin.

(Steven gives direction to audience for salute to flag and leads pledge. When completed he will
step back with the platform party and stand.)

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(Wes)
(Wes walks back to podium for introduction of Men’s Choral.)

Tonight we have a unique presentation of the original 1814 version

Star Spangled Banner. Sung by the Golden West College Men’s
Choral under the direction of Dr. Bruce Bales, GWC Choral Director.

(Audience and Platform Party)

(Standing for Pledge, Star Spangled Banner followed by Color Guard dismissal.)

(Wes) Color Guard Dismissed.

(Wes returns to podium and immediately dismisses Color Guard. Wes waits for Color Guard to
leave graduation area and audience standing before starting script. Color Guard walks down the
center isle and exits graduation area.) – 2 minutes

(Begin Welcome Remarks for Graduation 2010.)

(Wes) Welcome.
Graduates and guests, you may be seated now.

(Everyone takes a seat.)

We thank the Criminal Justice Training Center, Color Guard for the
RBC Class 140 for presenting the flags this evening.

My name is Wes Bryan and I have the honor of being the 7th College
President for this great institution. What a privilege it is to welcome
you as our special guests to this, the 43rd annual Golden West
College commencement ceremony. We are here to salute the
graduating students and to recognize the Golden West faculty for
their efforts in contributing to the success of the students we honor
tonight. For 43 years Golden West College has been holding
graduation ceremonies to honor graduates. We have had a rich
tradition, and it continues tonight as we recognize these graduates
for their accomplishments.
(Applause.)
I would like to call your attention to the flags that surround us. They
represent some of the countries of our international students. We
are especially pleased this year that 29 of our international students
are receiving the Associate of Arts Degree, and 19 are receiving their
Vocational Certificates of Achievement. These students are
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 representing 12 countries, and they are our informal ambassadors.
Classroom discussions have been enriched because of the cultural
perspectives they have shared with us. And when they return home,
we trust they will have positive stories to share about their time with
our Golden West family.

We are very proud of the number of students who will be receiving

their Associate of Arts Degree and Certificate of Achievement. This
year the college will award 774 students the Associate of Arts
degree, which includes the Summer 2009, Fall 2009 and Spring
2010 Semesters. Many of these students will be recognized at
tonight’s ceremony.

• There are 35 occupational areas in which our students may

receive Certificates of Achievement.
• 22 of those areas are being represented this evening.
• This year the College will award 619 students their certificates.
• The total number of degrees and certificates awarded this year
is 1,393.
• Our oldest graduate is 68, and our youngest is 19.
• 133 students will graduate with honors having earned a 3.5
grade point average or higher and 6 graduates earned a perfect
4.0.

I would like to have the 4.0 students stand and remain standing as I
call out their names to be recognized and honored.

Harry C. Battin
Elizabeth A. Cavers
Sumair G. Devani
Kyle L. Grant
ThanhPhuong T. Le
Nhi X. Truong

Congratulations on all your accomplishments. You may be seated.

(Applause. 4.0 Students sit down again.)

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(Wes)
(Wes reads about robe descriptions.)

You may have noticed that the graduates are wearing different
colored robes, cords and stoles.

1. Graduates receiving the Associate in Arts degree are

wearing green.

2. Gold gowns are being worn by students receiving the

Certificate of Achievement.

3. Graduates from our nursing program are wearing white.

4. Our Puente graduates are wearing a dark blue sash.

5. Students wearing a gold cord are graduating with honors.

6. Finally, those who are wearing the gold stole are members of
the Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society.

While we are here tonight to honor our graduates, please take a

moment to look at the Scholarships and Awards section in the
program. We are extremely proud of the fact that Golden West
College has awarded over $3 million in scholarships to our students
through the Golden West College Foundation since 1986.

There are students who will cross the platform tonight because of the
assistance and support provided by scholarships as well as State
and Federal awards. Making education affordable is a worthy goal.
It is how we prepare a competitive workforce and an educated
populace.

At this time it is my pleasure to introduce the members of the

Platform Party.

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 Members of the Coast Community College District Board of
Trustees with us this evening are:

Mr. Jerry Patterson, President

Mrs. Mary L. Hornbuckle
Mr. Jim Moreno
Mr. Walter Howald
Mr. Robert Lane, Student Trustee

Representatives from the Coast Community College District

include:

Dr. Ding-Jo Currie, Interim Chancellor

Dr. Joe Quarles, Vice Chancellor, Human Resources
Mr. John Breihan, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor,

Golden West College representatives include:

Dr. Lois Miller, Vice President of Instruction,

Dr. Diane Restelli, Academic Senate President & Professor of
Nursing
Mr. Russell Terry, Golden West College Professor and Counselor,
Mr. Greg Wight, Professor of Design and GWC’s 2009-10 Teacher
of the Year
Mr. Steven Sewell, Associated Student Body President,
Ms. Patricia Elizondo this year’s recipient of the R. Dudley Boyce
Award,
and our guest speaker,
Mr. Robert V. “Bobby” McDonald, President and Executive
Director of the Black Chamber of Commerce and California
Community College Alumnus.

(Wes)
(Introduction of R. Dudley Boyce Award.)

I now invite Professor Russ Terry to the podium to introduce this

year’s R. Dudley Boyce Outstanding Student of the Year for 2010.

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(Russ Terry)
(Russ Terry will introduce the recipient of the R. Dudley Boyce award and make a brief statement
about the person. No more than 2 minutes.)

(R. Dudley Boyce Recipient, Patricia Elizondo) Recipient’s Response

(Recipient gives a brief acceptance speech--no more than 2 minutes.)

(Wes Bryan) Introduction of Speaker

Selecting a graduation speaker is a presidential task I take on with care

and thought. I know this is your day, shared by faculty, staff, and family
who helped make your graduation possible. You did the heavy lifting; they
provided you the necessary support.

I choose speakers who help tell your story – to show you by example
where this day can take you. People who remind us all that the ultimate
goal of education is service to others, weather as a more effective
employee, a caring co-worker, a supportive parent, an activist in your
community or in public service, or in your chosen profession.

I make it a practice to select someone who is a community college

graduate. Someone who has walked the walk you have walked.
Someone who has crossed a similar stage, received a diploma, and then
walked off the stage to do good things -- for their family, their profession,
their community and others who have needed their assistance.

Graduates that volunteer, fight for better communities, advocate for

improved educational opportunities, and become leaders, because they
care. Their stories not only inspire you as graduates, they also remind
those of us who helped you along your path why this was such a noble
idea. Often these talks help to motivate others in the audience who might
be wondering if they should go back to school – it’s never too late to go
back to school.

Bobby McDonald is one of us. He was the Student Body President at Los
Angeles Harbor College, right down the 405. He graduated from Cal
State Fullerton, where he has been President of the CSUF Alumni
Association. He is a U.S. Navy Vietnam Veteran. Currently he is
President and Executive Director of the Black Chamber of Commerce of
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Orange County, a founder of the Orange County President's Council and
a founding member of the Orange County Sports Hall of Fame. Most
recently, he was appointed by the Governor to the State Board of
Governors of the California Community College System where he chairs
the Veteran’s Affairs Committee. While you can read more about him in
the program, the most important thing I can say about Bobby is that he is
one of us – a community college alumni, advocate and friend.
Please join me in welcoming Bobby McDonald as our 2010 graduation
speaker.

(Mr. Robert V. “Bobby” McDonald) Commencement Address

(Mr. McDonald will speak for 10-15 minutes to graduating class and attendees.)

(Wes) Presentation of Class

(Wes will come to the podium and introduce Mr. Jerry Patterson for Presentation of Class.)

I would like to ask the President of the Board of Trustees for the
Coast Community District, Mr. Jerry Patterson, to please come
forward for the presentation of the class.

(Jerry Patterson)
(Mr. Patterson comes to podium for Presentation of Class.)

On behalf of the Coast Community College District Board of

Trustees, I accept the 43rd graduating class of 2010. The students
before you have satisfactorily completed all requirements for the
Associate of Arts degree or Certificate of Achievement and are
eligible to receive their diplomas and certificates.

May they continue their pursuit of personal achievements and

strengthen their commitments to our society.

(Wes)
(After Jerry accepts the class, Wes reads.)

This is the moment you and your families have been waiting for.
Would the graduates please come forward and accept their degrees
and certificates.

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(ASGWC Student Marshals direct graduates to form a line to receive diplomas.)
(Readers of names get into place next to microphone, east side of stage.)

(Lois/Diane) Reading of Names

(Lois Miller and Diane Restelli read from the microphones the names of students. Microphone
located on the east side of platform, ground level. Student Activities Staff member will assist with
graduate cards.)

(Greg)
(Handing out the diploma covers to students.)

(Wes)
(Pictures taken with students as they pass by on stage.)

(Wes) Closing Remarks

(College President returns to podium for closing.)

And now Graduates, the time you have been waiting for…you can
official move your tassel from the left side to the right side.

Congratulations on all your accomplishments.

This will conclude our 2010 Commencement ceremony.

We ask that the audience remain seated during the recessional until
the last graduate has exited the graduation area.

Immediately following the conclusion of this ceremony, we invite you

to join us for the reception hosted by the Associated Students on the
south end of the Central Quad.

Thank you for attending this evening’s celebration.

5/19/10 Revision