CORRECTION: A previous version of this story failed to state why this was the last graduation ceremony held at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
LBCC celebrated more than 3,200 graduates with over 1,000 students who walked the stage at its final commencement ceremony at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday.
“This is the final graduating class of Long Beach City College that will celebrate their commencement inside Veterans Memorial Stadium, an iconic venue that has been home to many generations of LBCC graduates…while we’re excited for the future with a brand new state of the art sports complex coming soon, today is about honoring this moment and the legacy of every student who has crossed this field,” LBCC Superintendent President Mike Munoz said.
Students graduated with honors, certificates and associate degrees, including those for transfer.
LBCC hosted guest speaker Shaun Harper as the 2025 commencement speaker, along with Valedictorian Lolita Mojica and other faculty members of the school for graduation.
“When they came for us with fear, we answered with fire. This was the year we carved out space for ourselves where they said there was none, and we left behind echoes to remind them that we were here,” Mojica said.
Valedictorian Lolita Mojica speaks about her experiences at LBCC during her speech to fellow graduates at graduation on Thursday. (Rafael Gomez) 
Students look up into the stadium, where their loved ones sit, to thank them for the support they have been given during their journey during the graduation ceremony on Thursday. (Bella Schultz) 
Travis Davis, left, and Deon Rebers dance together after exiting the stage during the graduation ceremony at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday. (Rafael Gomez) 
Honors student Jasani Cole, left, and Veteran James Goodman, right, celebrate while exiting the stage during the graduation ceremony at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday. (Rafael Gomez) 
Beach volleyball player Enaya Vaielua smiles and holds her certificate while teammate Mikayla Curry celebrates behind her during graduation at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday. (Bella Schultz) 
Dianna Perez, left, and Indira Lara, right, hug after exiting the stage during the graduation ceremony at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday. (Rafael Gomez) 
Linebacker Cordae Jones jumps and celebrates as he exits the stage during graduation at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday. (Rafael Gomez) 
Melanie Alvarado holds her certificate to the bleachers in one hand, and a photocard of Korean boy group BTS member Jungkook in the other as she walks off the stage during graduation at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday. (Rafael Gomez) 
Trinise Newborn, left, and Michael Tyler, right, hold hands after exiting the stage during graduation at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday. (Rafael Gomez) 
Honors student Lyka Laine Rubio holds her certificate in one hand, and her phone in another, reading “I GRADUATED :D” during the graduation ceremony at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday. (Rafael Gomez) 
Swimmer Olivia Hurley smiles while exiting the stage during graduation at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday. (Rafael Gomez) 
Diana Marquez celebrates by holding her certificate over her head during graduation at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday. (Rafael Gomez) 
Graduate Olivia Aska walks into Veterans Memorial Stadium with the class of 2025 during the graduation ceremony on Thursday. (Bella Schultz) 
Graduate Cristina Mackey dances down the ramp after she receives her degree during the graduation ceremony on Thursday. (Bella Schultz) 
President’s Scholar Honors student Emiliano Peinado gallops with his hobby horse in hand as he exits the stage during graduation at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday. (Bella Schultz) 
Cesar Ignacio smiles as he exits the stage during graduation at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday. (Bella Schultz) 
A group of graduates wave to their loved ones at the 2025 graduation ceremony at LBCC’s Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday. (Bella Schultz)
