Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District students, with decorated mortarboards, hands folded in their lap, waiting for a rolled up piece of paper so they can start their celebrations—and the next step in rest of their lives.
GCCCD handed out more than 2,000 associates degrees and certificates to graduates during two sessions last week at its 35th annual commencement ceremony, many of which received multiple honors.
Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District students, with decorated mortarboards, hands folded in their lap, waiting for a rolled up piece of paper so they can start their celebrations—and the next step in rest of their lives.
GCCCD handed out more than 2,000 associates degrees and certificates to graduates during two sessions last week at its 35th annual commencement ceremony, many of which received multiple honors.
This year’s commencement theme was overcoming adversity and Students of Note were honored during the ceremony. These extraordinary students are those who have experienced tremendous adversity in their lives and persevered.
Commencement speaker Derrick Torrance and keynote speaker Reverend Eric Smith know this topic well, because they lived it.
Torrance is a veteran of the U.S. Marines who began his education after his years of service. He said he always wanted to pursue higher learning, and the GI Bill made it possible, although college life differed greatly from his former life in uniform.
“Things I saw on campus were kind of a culture shock, kids walking around the quad singing and playing guitar,” he said.
He said progressing through his education was difficult to accomplish but nothing compared to what happened in 2007, when his son Andrew, also a Grossmont College student, died in a motorcycle accident.
“This school is one of the last places where my son physically was, and sometimes on campus I catch glimpses of him here and there. I could be sitting in a seat he was in, or be in one of his classrooms,” he said. “So this education is not mine alone as much as it is a continuation of Andrew’s college dream as well.”
Grossmont College’s halls have seen three generations of Torrance’s family. Derrick Torrance graduates Grossmont this year along with his daughter, Jade. Both pride and sadness mark his face, but Torrance’s demeanor suggests a man undeterred from his mission to help others. After graduation, Torrance said he will continue his work with addiction and grief counseling, with San Diego Dad Corps, a program of SAY (Social Advocates for Youth), and also with veterans organizations. Torrance is remarkably resolute for a man with a hole in his heart, and like Smith, emanates admirable determination to be stronger from whatever he encounter.
“I have always liked learning,” said Smith. “Knowledge opens you up, without it, you’re boxed into your own world,”
Smith grew up in the South when the civil rights movement was “in full blast.” An African-American child with a severe stutter, his parents were illiterate and his family impoverished. After eight years of service in the U.S. Navy and subsequent drug use, Smith said he’d been led astray. He said he was searching when a woman at church approached him after hearing him read poetry. She pointed him in the direction of education, and off he went, back on course. After graduating from Grossmont College, Smith went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in human development from Christian Heritage College.
“Being lost is not always a bad thing,” he said.
The commencement and keynote speakers said that adversity is unavoidable and comes in all shapes and sizes, when least expected, or when instinct provides a warning.
Grossmont College President Sunita Cooke honored graduates who have taken the time to better themselves through the gift of education.
“All of you sitting here are aware that community colleges in general are places of great opportunity for all who choose to enroll,” she said. “Here at Grossmont College, every day we are aware we change lives through education.”
At the podium, GCCCD Chancellor Cindy Miles had some encouraging words for graduates as they moved towards their next step.
“You’re now a member of an elite club,” she said. “You’ve earned something that no one can take away from you, an education. An education that could change, save, or inspire a life.”
And that’s a pretty good start.
