Bilingual report — Allan Hancock College celebrates graduates at 2024 commencement ceremony

SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College celebrated the achievements of thousands of graduating students at the college’s 103rd commencement?ceremony.

“Today, you are representing the more than 100-year legacy of this college,” said Hancock Board of Trustees President Greg Pensa. “Your contribution to that legacy will continue as you go out into the world and represent Hancock as an alumnus.”

More than 570 of those graduates participated in an in-person?commencement?ceremony on the college’s athletics field at its Santa Maria campus on Friday, May 24.

“Today’s event is a celebration of accomplishment, and the embodiment of what it means to be a community college graduate,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “Our students have set a high bar for those who follow them and have also paved the way for a new set of students who are ready to make a positive impact on our community.”

This year, 1,516 students either earned a degree or will earn a degree pending the successful completion of their classes. Hancock’s grads earned a total of 2,771 associate degrees and 2,600 certificates of achievement across 125 different majors. In addition, 39 percent of Hancock’s class of?2024?received the Hancock Promise, a popular program that provides the first year of college tuition-free for local high school students. The 103rd graduating class also boasted the highest transfer rate to Cal Poly SLO (nearly 67 percent) for the 23rd year in a row.? A total of 225 Bulldog graduates were accepted to become Mustangs in the fall.

“This is a very special day of the year because today is about celebrating your accomplishments and remembering this as a milestone in your journey whether you are starting a new career or heading off to a university,” said Hancock Associate Superintendent/Vice President of Student Services Genevieve Siwabessy, Ed.D.  ?

Many of this year’s graduates are leaving Hancock with impressive accomplishments. A total of 655 graduates received honors for having 3.5-3.99 grade-point averages (GPAs), and 79 received high honors for 4.0 GPAs.

Attendees at the ceremony were treated to several stories about inspiring Hancock graduates and their remarkable achievements. Those included Uriel Pena, a senior at Pioneer Valley High School who earned his high school diploma but also earned an associate degree in political science from Hancock; Mario Gonzalez, who began taking noncredit English classes and is now graduating with a degree in welding; and Mary Santos, who returned to college after a 21-year hiatus to earn two degrees.

Associated Student Body Government President and 2024 graduate Samantha Martinez addressed her peers, reminding them to celebrate and relish the joy and gratitude of their achievements.  

“During our time here at Hancock, we have learned what it’s like to be supported and uplifted by a college and its community, passionate about helping its students in reaching their goals,” said Martinez, who is transferring to UCLA to study philosophy and political science. “Let this milestone be one of many in our lives. I am so excited to see where we all go from here.”

Speaking to the graduates on behalf of Hancock’s faculty, retiring Dean of Academic Affairs Dr. Sofia Ramirez-Gelpi encouraged the class of 2024 to dream big and celebrate their successes.  

“As you embark on the next chapter of your journey, I urge you to hold fast to your dreams, no matter how daunting the path may seem,” said Ramirez-Gelpi. “Remember that it is not the size of your bank account or the circumstances of your birth that determine your destiny, but rather the depth of your conviction and the strength of your will.”

As Hancock’s class of 2024 moves on to their next adventure, registration for summer and fall classes at Hancock is ongoing. Summer classes begin June 10, and fall classes begin Aug. 19.  

To learn more about Allan Hancock College, visit www.hancockcollege.edu 

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