​WHAT:

Due to construction at Eddie West Field, the usual location of Santa Ana College commencement ceremonies, the 100th Santa Ana College commencement has been moved to Centennial Regional Park.

Parking will be available throughout Centennial Regional Park. Commencement guests and graduates may access the park and available parking through the park entrance located on Edinger Avenue or via the park entrance on St. Andrew Place. All traffic will flow counterclockwise regardless of which entrance the public utilizes. General parking will be available on the north side, south and east side of the park. NO parking for commencement is permitted in the Godinez High School parking lots. However, parking will also be available in the Godinez parking structure located west of Godinez High School.

Please utilize the public parking in the regional park as directed by public safety officers. All graduates and guests are encouraged to carpool as parking is limited. Designated handicapped parking is available close to the commencement grounds, which are south of the Santa Ana College Centennial Education Center.

Parking will also be offered at Valley High School, located at 1801 S. Greenville St. in Santa Ana. For guests who park there, a shuttle will be provided that will run from 3:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

WHERE:

Centennial Regional Park
3000 W Edinger Ave.
Santa Ana, CA 92704

WHEN:

Friday June 3, 2016
Ceremony begins promptly at 5:30 p.m.
Graduates line up to prepare for procession at 5:00 p.m.
Parking opens at 4:00 p.m.

WHO:

A total of 2,419 students are in Santa Ana College’s centennial graduating class. Of them, 800 students are expected to “walk” at commencement. The total attendance at this historic ceremony is anticipated to be 7,000 graduates, family, and friends. Tickets for family and friends are not required.

Commencement speakers include:

• Erlinda J. Martinez, Ed.D., Santa Ana College President
• Claudia C. Alvarez, Rancho Santiago Community College District Board of Trustees President
• Valedictorian (To be selected on May 23.)
• Faculty Speaker Steve Bautista, counselor/coordinator, Center for Teacher Education and
  co-coordinator, Freshman Experience / Learning Communities II

In addition to the valedictory address, a highlight of the commencement will be the recognition of the Hammond and Northcross Awards honorees. These worthy students’ names are kept under wraps until the ceremony. The Hammond Service Award, named in memory of Dana King Hammond, former president of Santa Ana College, is made to the man in the graduating class who has rendered the most outstanding service to the college. The Northcross Service Award, named in memory of Eleanor Hammack Northcross, former dean of women at Santa Ana College, is made to the woman in the graduating class who has rendered the most outstanding service to the college.

WHY:

“Santa Ana College’s commencement is always the high point of our academic year,” said Erlinda J. Martinez, Ed.D., Santa Ana College president. “Seeing the excitement on our students’ faces which is also reflected in the pride in their families’ expressions is the reason we are here. However, our 100th graduating class is especially precious. They personify the hopes and dreams of thousands of students who have attended our college for 100 years and are just the beginning of the college’s next 100 years. What a fitting way to culminate our centennial commemoration of our celebrated past and boundless future!”

HOW:

For more information about the Santa Ana College commencement ceremony, please contact the college’s Office of Student Life at (714) 564-6211 or visit www.sac.edu/commencement.

About Santa Ana College
Santa Ana College (SAC), which turned 100 years old in 2015, serves about 18,000 students each semester at its main campus in Santa Ana. The college prepares students for transfer to four-year institutions, provides invaluable workforce training, and customized training for business and industry. In addition, another 11,000 students are served through the college’s School of Continuing Education located at Centennial Education Center. Ranked as one of the nation’s top two-year colleges awarding associate degrees to Latino and Asian students, the college is also recognized throughout the state for its comprehensive workforce training programs for nurses, firefighters, law enforcement and other medical personnel. SAC is one of two comprehensive colleges under the auspices of the Rancho Santiago Community College District. Visit www.sac.edu to learn more. For information about Santa Ana College’s Centennial, please visit www.sac.edu/100.

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