May 2, 2008

Hundreds of Chandler-Gilbert Community College students will don a cap and gown tomorrow, as they prepare to celebrate their academic achievements. The 2008 CGCC Commencement Ceremonies will be held on the evening of Friday, May 9, at the college’s Pecos Campus on the Mall in front of the Performing Arts Center.

An evening of celebration is planned to honor students and their families, and to recognize the hard work and dedication that it took for students to earn their degrees and certificates.

A reception with music and refreshments will be held for students and their families prior to the ceremony beginning at 6 p.m. in the Student Center Pavilion. The formal ceremony will begin at 8 p.m.

CGCC graduate Amanda Haug will address students. Haug is a molecular biology major who is graduating with an Associate in Science degree from CGCC and will transfer to ArizonaState University in the fall.

A re-entry student, Haug is married and the mother of two young children. Despite the challenges of raising a family and attending school full-time, faculty members say her work ethic, dedication, and classroom performance are a testament to her commitment to excellence.

“The faculty at CGCC were fabulous,” Haug said. “My classes were challenging and the faculty were always there to help when I needed it. I’m thrilled that I was able to finish all the pre-requisites for my bachelor’s degree at CGCC prior to transferring to ASU.”

More than 540 students will graduate this month with 425 degrees and 192 certificates.

CGCC will also host the college’s second Nurse Pinning Ceremony on May 9 at 2 p.m. in the Student Union at the ASU Polytechnic Campus Cooley Ballroom. Twenty-four nursing students will be pinned, marking the end of their education in the college’s Nursing Program and the beginning of their careers as nurses.

"Commencement is the celebration of the committed efforts of our students, faculty and staff,” said CGCC President, Dr. Maria Hesse. “All of our graduates have something in common - dedication and persistence - and we wish them the best as they move forward to the many opportunities that lay before them with a college degree or certificate in hand."

CGCC is located at 2626 E. Pecos Rd. in Chandler.