OREGON CITY – Clackamas Community College will celebrate its 2019 graduates in two ceremonies. On Thursday, June 13, students earning Adult High School diplomas and General Educational Development (GED) certificates will graduate. Students earning certificates and degrees will graduate Friday, June 14.
This year, CCC is awarding 368 GEDs. The youngest graduate is 17 and the oldest is 64. Nineteen students are receiving the Adult High School Diploma, with the youngest being 15 and the oldest 37. The college is awarding 1,328 degrees and certificates for the academic year. The youngest graduate is 15, and the oldest is 71 years old.
Each year the college recognizes students who have been nominated by their instructors or staff for their accomplishments, along with former students and supporters in the community. This year’s honorees include:
- Teresa McCook (Happy Valley) is a positive role model for younger students and is a mentor to her peers. At 60 years old, McCook retired from a 30-year career in preschool and child care to advance her work with the Clackamas County Juvenile Department developing programs in the community for at-risk youth. McCook is earning an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree in corrections.
- Tiffany Thrift (Newberg) was working for a major company in a leadership role that had a mass layoff. She has worked hard to come to school a bit late in life to work on obtaining a degree. As a mother of two who lives an hour away from the college, she is a hard-working student with an exceedingly high moral code, strong work standards for herself, never gives up on challenging courses or assignments, and has truly inspired a supportive, team work ethic in all of her classes. Thrift is earning an AAS in accounting, an AAS in business and an accounting clerk certificate.
- Ariane Mabano (Mulino) is an international student from Rwanda. She was an integral part of Student Life and Leadership on campus, serving on the Associated Student Government (ASG) for two years. She has been an officer in Campus Affairs and the director for the Multicultural Center during her time in ASG. She has been involved in planning numerous events such as International Week, coffee house music, Black History Month, International Women’s Day, Lunar New Year and National Coming Out Day. In addition, Ariane represented the student voice on the college’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. Mabano is earning an Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer degree and an Associate of General Studies degree.
- Natalia Rodriguez (Canby) is this year’s All-Oregon Academic Team member. She is the vice president of the Clackamas Community College Associated Student Government and will be graduating from CCC with a transfer degree. She plans to attend Concordia University to earn a master’s in elementary education and a master’s in teaching. Her goal is to become an elementary school teacher.
Both graduation ceremonies will take place at 7 p.m. on the Oregon City Campus, 19600 Molalla Ave. Tickets were distributed for the degree and certificate ceremony. Additional seating and live streaming of the June 14 ceremony will be available on screens in the McLoughlin Auditorium and Osterman Theatre on campus.
For more information, visit www.clackamas.edu/graduation.
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