Record Number of PCC Students to Graduate
May 15, 2012
Tucson, AZ – Pima Community College will set a record Thursday when it awards certificates and degrees to its largest graduating class.
A history-making ceremony will be held at the Tucson Convention Center Arena for 3,624 eligible PCC students – 60 more than the previous record.
“This year’s commencement is one for the record books,” said Interim Chancellor Dr. Suzanne Miles. “Our graduates come from diverse backgrounds but share a common desire to acquire new knowledge, learn new skills and pursue their dreams by furthering their education.”
This year’s graduating class includes 2,066 women, 1,522 men (36 people declined to identify their gender) and at least 253 veterans.
The oldest graduate, 73-year-old Fernanda Maria Gallardo, earned a Direct Care Professional Certificate. The youngest graduate, 17-year-old Alec R. Moreno, earned a Certificate in Business and Industry Technology.
Eighty-eight graduation candidates have a grade point average greater than 3.90, allowing them to meet the requirements for graduation with highest honors. Among them is this year’s 40-year-old commencement speaker, Dax W. Crocker.
Crocker is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society who was born in Guatemala, came to the U.S. at 14, started preaching at 17 and has lived around the world as a missionary before moving Tucson six years ago. He is a minister at Tucson’s House of Glory Church.
At Thursday evening’s ceremony, which starts at 7 p.m., the College expects to award at least 5,141 degrees and certificates. Many PCC students earn more than one certificate or degree.
Students who completed studies in Summer 2011, Fall 2011 or Spring 2012 are eligible to participate in the May 17 ceremony.
Among the college’s more than 65 associate degree programs, these programs have the highest number of graduation candidates:
- 825 Liberal Arts
- 461 General Studies
- 239 Business
- 229 Nursing
- 206 Science
- 68 Social Services
- 63 Administration of Justice Studies
- 61 Systems Administration/Networking
- 54 Digital Arts
- 49 Early Childhood Studies
- 34 Fire Science
- 32 Building & Construction Technology
- 29 Paralegal
- 27 Culinary Arts
- 26 Accounting
- 26 Respiratory Care
- 25 Emergency Medical Technology
- 25 Dental Hygiene
- 21 Computer Aided Drafting
- 21 Logistics & Supply Chain
- 20 Visual and Performing Arts
- 19 Radiologic Technology
- 18 Automotive Technology
- 17 Engineering
All other degree programs within the college are graduating 15 or fewer students with associate degrees.
The degrees and certificates to be awarded are:
- 1,393 Arizona General Education Certifications
- 972 Associate of Arts
- 918 Certificate Program
- 942 Associate of Applied Science
- 479 Associate of General Studies
- 202 Associate of Business
- 207 Associate of Science
- 153 Advanced Certificates
- 20 Associate of Fine Arts
- 13 Associate of Applied Arts
Annual graduation totals since 2000 are:
- 2011: 3,307
- 2010: 3,001
- 2009: 2,889
- 2008: 3,008
- 2007: 3,304
- 2006: 3,555
- 2005: 2,884
- 2004: 3,305
- 2003: 2,927
- 2002: 2,822
- 2001: 2,020
- 2000: 2,151
CONTACT:
C.J. Karamargin
Vice Chancellor for Public Information and Government Relations
(520) 206-4850
ckaramargin@pima.edu