Clark College celebrated its 87th graduating class during a commencement ceremony at RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater on June 15.
The ceremony honored students receiving associate’s and bachelor’s degrees, certificates, high school diplomas and GED completion.
A total of 1,833 degrees and certificates were given out to the graduating class, with 1,601 graduates receiving them, a release from Clark College stated. Of those, 1,406 were associate’s degrees, with 1,100 of those graduates earning direct transfer degrees to continue their education.
There were 450 Running Start high school graduates and 89 other graduates who received their high school diplomas, the release stated. Thirteen of the graduates were from Larch Corrections Center, with the majority receiving a high school diploma or equivalent.
Graduates and their families heard from several speakers, including Clark College President Karin Edwards and Suzanne Southerland, Clark College’s Association of Higher Education president, who is also a communications professor, the release stated. This year’s exceptional faculty award recipients and the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society’s all-Washington academic team selections were also honored.
Graduate Sonia Talero-Pachon received the 2022-2023 Community College Presidents’ Award, the release stated. The annual scholarship is given to a Clark College graduate who is transferring to Washington State University-Vancouver.
“Talero-Pachon exemplifies the resiliency and tenacity of first-generation college graduates,” the release stated.
She is a peer mentor in the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and “believes in contributing to the community by cherishing her diversity, growing as an individual, and honoring her Colombian roots,” according to the release.
Talero-Pachon intends to become the first woman in her family to graduate from a four-year university, the release stated.
