Long Beach City College celebrated its largest graduating class in the college’s history, with more than 3,000 students to make up the class of 2019.
There was more than 2,200 students who were up for Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degrees, and more than 800 students who were candidates for Certificates of Achievement.
249 students achieved honors by earning a 3.5 – 3.7 grade point average, 139 students achieved high honors 3.75 – 3.9 GPA, and 69 students achieved highest honors, a perfect 4.0 GPA.
According to the college’s December newsletter, approximately 1,300 LBCC students transfer every year to four-year universities and colleges.
Jay Frisher was selected as the 2019 valedictorian, Frisher a New York native, is a veteran of the U.S. Marines and landed at LBCC after tours with the armed forces.
“It’s crazy to think that not so long ago I was in the armed forces, doing what I thought was the best thing in the world,” Frisher said.
“Hopefully, my future only becomes brighter and brighter because there is so much to do in the world.”
Around $1.2 million in scholarship funds was granted to students at a ceremony on May 23 at the Liberal Arts Campus.
ABC7 reporter Veronica Miracle was this year’s commencement speaker and while up on stage she shared her story about her father who was sent to prison 13 years ago.
“It was so nerve racking when I finally went up to the mic, but once when I was doing it, the nerves went away,” Miracle said.
In 2018, the college celebrated 1,925 graduates who earned an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degrees.
Superintendent-president Reagan Romali has made severe efforts in improving LBCC’s graduation rates.
“When I joined the LBCC family just a couple years ago, the only way was up for graduation rates and it has been and absolute pleasure in seeing those numbers rise every year,” Romali said.
Upwards of 800 students attended the annual commencement ceremony at LBCC’s Veterans Memorial Stadium on June 6.
