SAN MARCOS, CA (May 3, 2016) — Palomar College presents annual commencement exercises Friday, May 20, at 5 p.m. on the football practice field at the College’s San Marcos campus. Adrian Gonzales, Interim Superintendent/President of the Palomar Community College District, will conduct the ceremonies. The event is open to the public.

Garrett Chaffin-Quiray, instructor of cinema and winner of the 2014-2015 Distinguished Faculty Award for part-time faculty, will speak at the Commencement ceremony.

Santos Zuniga Tavarez will receive the Alumnus of the Year honor. Tavarez currently teaches high school Spanish in Oakland, California.

“We are so proud of the achievements of each and every one of our graduates,” said Gonzales. Commencement is a time we can all appreciate what Palomar College means and the importance this institution plays in people’s lives.”

This year the college received 3,965 applications for associate degrees or certificates of achievement: 1,950 associate of arts (A.A.) degrees; 1,764 certificates; and 251 associate degrees for transfer are planned to be awarded. More than 500 students are expected to participate in the ceremony.

Individuals receiving degrees and certificates in the ceremony will meet in the Dome on the college campus at 3:30 p.m. on Commencement Day. Faculty members, wearing their full academic regalia, will gather on the east side of the Howard Brubeck Theatre at 4:30 p.m. prior to the ceremony.

Malik Spence and Phoenix Prefontaine are the student marshals who will lead the processional march. Spence, who is the Associated Student Government (ASG) President and Student Trustee on the Governing Board, was recently re-elected to serve a second term. Prefontaine is the ASG Vice President.

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Media Contacts:

Laura Gropen, Director, Public Affairs Office, 760-744-1150 x2152
Melinda Finn, Public Affairs Office, 760-744-1150 ext. 2365
Commencement Information for Students: Marilyn Lunde, Student Affairs, 760-744-1150, ext. 2595