Palo Alto Graduates of 2000 Say Goodbye...
By Nancylea Light
Pulse Staff Reporter
It happens to the best—the ones who work hard, who have a goal in life and who accept responsibility for themselves. Those who venture to take this path end up with one of the greatest rewards: Graduation.
Palo Alto College's 14th Annual Commencement Ceremony is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., on Saturday, May 13, at Laurie Auditorium on Trinity University's campus.
The commencement speaker will be Texas A&M University-Kingsville's 15th
President, Marc Cisneros, a Distinguished Alumnus of St. Mary's University in San Antonio. Cisneros retired from the U. S. Army as a Lieutenant General in 1996. He served three combat tours, two in Vietnam and one in Panama. He is the first non-educator named president at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
Palo Alto College has 140 Spring and Summer 2000 candidates and 35 Fall of 1999 candidates participating in this year's commencement ceremony. The college anticipated that there would be 330 participants, but only 175 confirmed their participation. Palo Alto continues to be a launching pad for graduates either entering the work force or attending a higher institution of learning.
According to Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board; we had 62 graduates, in Fall 1998, 109 graduates in Spring 1999, and 70 graduates in Summer 1999.
Dr. Enrique Solis, President of Palo Alto College since March of 1998, will celebrate the graduation of the candidates by being the Master of Ceremonies at the commencement, which is a celebration for the students, teachers, parents, family and friends.
"Education is something that happens between students and faculty. We are here to create a climate that makes the relationships a positive one," said Dr. Solis. "I just hope more and more students choose to complete their studies at Palo Alto College and continue to pursue additional studies with Texas A&M University-Kingsville."
Cartoon by Rudy Talamantez
"I believe it is very important that you enjoy what you are doing and keep on learning in the profession you choose, because you will spend most of your waking hours where you are employed," said Dr. Solis.
Melissa Dodson, a Spring 2000 candidate for graduation with an Associates of Applied Science Degree in Agribusiness said, "I've really enjoyed it. The teachers, going to school, the familiar faces and the atmosphere here."
With an Associate of Science Degree in Business, Marion McCormick, a Summa Cum Laude graduate, was a stay-at-home mom with a son and a daughter in school when she decided to attend Palo Alto College.
McCormick said, " I did not think I would be able to achieve what I did when I started. It's wonderful. It's an immensely important, enriching experience. For the first time, my hard work and ability is getting me where I want to go."
"I don't feel like the same person as when I started out," said McCormick. I went from feeling I couldn't do it to feeling confident." To celebrate commencement, McCormick and her family and friends are going to dinner.
"Achievement; I've completed something," said Sara Anderson, a Summa Cum Laude graduate for Spring 2000 graduation. "I like the clubs. I was in Tri-Beta Biological Honor Society and Phi Theta Kappa Clubs on campus; you really enjoy those. I would recommend Palo Alto College.
Anderson wanted to attend Palo Alto College because of the good student teacher ratio. She believes her time spent here will make her transition to Southwest Texas State University a smooth one.
The candidates for graduation picked up their caps, gowns and tassels from the Admissions Office earlier this spring. Gold Stoles were available for honors students, but the stoles must be returned to the college. The caps, gowns and tassels are for the graduates to keep for the rest of their lives, compliments of the college.
Edward Wise, who is a double major in English and Drama said, "I would definitely recommend this college to my friends and anyone who asks. There are lots of teachers that make college challenging. They make it interesting."
Palo Alto College, "the heart of the community," is proud of its 2000 graduates and wishes them the best for their future.