Families, friends, faculty, and staff celebrate graduates’ accomplishments

AURORA, COLO.— More than 1,200 friends, family members, and supporters cheered on the Community College of Aurora’s newest graduates at a ceremony held May 9 at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds in Aurora. U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) delivered the commencement address at the event.

“I am very happy to be here with you today and see the smiles on your faces and feel the energy in this building,” Perlmutter said. He shared with the crowd the details of his visit the previous day with a group of centenarians. “I asked these 100-year-olds what they would like to share with young people today, and they had four things to say: Work hard, laugh a lot, and appreciate the beauty in the people and the things around you. Then they added that to be able to do those things, you need to get an education. For each and every one of them, education was a key to success.”

Perlmutter continued: “You all have had different paths that brought you here today. The measure of a man, or a woman, is what he or she is, plus what they want to be and what they want to do. You now not only have this education that brought you here today, but you must continue to follow your dreams. You must be the best that you can. You have gotten a fantastic education here . . . and with the direction of this school and its faculty, and with the assistance of your parents, your friends, and your neighbors, you’re going to have a heck of a future.” He added with a smile that he hoped that the assembled grads would become centenarians, as well.

Student remarks were offered by Shawna Marshall, who graduated summa cum laude at Saturday’s ceremony. Marshall described her long path to an associate degree. “After dropping out of high school 12 years ago, today I stand before you as a college graduate,” she said. “Whether you are one of those remarkable high school students receiving your high school diploma and an associate degree today, or a parent trying to make ends meet and genuinely understanding the word ‘exhausted,’ or perhaps you are a gutsy returning student coming back after long years of absence, or perhaps you are a foreign student who has had to learn a whole new language and culture—whatever your background is, you stand here with me today, and I commend all of you.”

Marshall offered kudos to CCA’s faculty and staff, highlighting their willingness to help each and every student along the way. “In spite of our struggles, we stand here today, and I encourage you to proudly keep struggling so that you can once again enjoy the sweet, sweet taste of success,” she concluded.

Additional remarks at the ceremony were offered by CCA President Linda S. Bowman, CCA faculty member Michael Levell, and CCA Dean for Liberal Arts Ted Snow. CCA alumna Madalene Cordova sang a powerful and moving rendition of the national anthem, and the Aurora Symphony Brass Quintet performed the processional and recessional music.

Community College of Aurora students graduate from cutting-edge programs ready to take the next step in their lives, whether it’s to transfer to a four-year institution or begin a new career. CCA promotes excellence in teaching, learning, and service to a diverse community and enrolls 10,500 students each year on its CentreTech and Lowry campuses. Ninety-seven percent of CCA’s students are Colorado residents, and 45 percent come from ethnic minorities. The college offers more than 40 degrees and certificates in transfer and occupational education, and CCA’s core classes are guaranteed to transfer to Colorado public colleges and universities.

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