Festive Graduation Ceremonies Top Semesters Of Study
The international flavor of Miami Dade College’s student body was on display at the North Campus graduation on May 2 at at the James L. Knight Center.
The event began with MDC’s Army Reserve Officer Training Corps members dressed in military uniforms marching across the stage holding colorful flags from different countries around the world. As each student holding a flag stopped and waved it from side to side, people in the audience roared and cheered.
More than 14,000 Miami Dade College students received their degrees at five commencement ceremonies for the College’s seven campuses and two major outreach centers on May 2. The students who attended represented 185 countries.
Earlier in the day at the Wolfson Campus graduation, 79-year-old Colombian-born grandmother, Rosa Elisa Salgado graduated with honors, earning an associate of arts degree in education.
“I am graduating with my two grandchildren,” Salgado said. “I am here to say thank you to God, my parents, this country, Colombia and this college, I am very proud to graduate with my grandchildren.”
Her two grandsons, Mauricio Escorcia, 30, and David Salgado, 23, stood on either side of their grandmother in their caps and gowns, ready to receive their diplomas.
“We’re proud of our grandmother,” said David Salgado who graduated as a marine biology major at Wolfson campus. “She is an example for us and the family. She has been in the country for 16 years.”
The 23-year-old is a more typical MDC student. Thirty-two percent of students are between the ages of 21 and 25. Thirty-three percent are between 18 and 20-years-of-age.
Distinguished speakers gave encouraging words to the graduates. William Adams, chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities spoke at the ceremony for Wolfson and Hialeah Campuses. Frank Del Rio, chairman and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Lines spoke at the InterAmerican and Homestead Campuses ceremony. Katherine Archuleta, director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, spoke at the North and West Campus ceremony. Dr. William E. Trueheart, president and CEO of Achieving the Dream, spoke at the Medical Campus ceremony. Miguel “Mike” B. Fernandez of MBF Healthcare Partners spoke at the Kendall Campus ceremony.
“You are no better than any of the tens of thousands of graduates going through the same thing, but there is absolutely nobody better than you, the Miami Dade College graduating class of 2015. With your innovations, foresight and resolve, I can only imagine what a remarkable place Miami will be after you’re done with it,” Del Rio said.
Professors, students and family members cheered as each graduate walked across the stage to receive their diplomas.
At the North Campus graduation, the level of excitement soared with thumping dance music rivaling the energy of a nightclub. The graduates waved glow sticks that radiated red, blue and green lights.
For some graduates in the crowd, their studies at Miami Dade College were an achievement over struggles such as finances, family hardships, and balancing work and school.
“One difficulty I faced in college was definitely balancing my schedule put between school and work and finding time to study,” said Daniel Gonzalez, 21, who majored in law at Miami Dade College InterAmerican Campus. “I enjoyed my time here at MDC. My professors made me feel like I mattered and wanted nothing more than for me to succeed.”
Professors at North Campus graduation sat together, dressed in colorful caps and hoods from their own institutions. They commented to each other about students they had taught as the graduates walked across the stage to receive their diplomas, cheering and shouting just as much as the students did.
“I think graduation is awesome, and I have a lot of students graduating who have persevered through tough situations and have pulled through,” said Carmen Bucher an English professor at North Campus.
Brenda Hernandez, 43, graduated from Wolfson Campus with her associate in arts degree as a part-time student and College employee.
“It feels good because I am a single mom with two kids and it was stressful but I made it, there’s no excuse for anyone,” said Hernandez.
Sixty-two percent of MDC students attend the College on a part-time basis. Many work at full-time jobs and have other obligations.
“[Graduating] feels amazing,” said Joseph Laureno, 20, a business management graduate from Kendall Campus. “It’s an adventure full of challenges, an adventure full with growing opportunities and a chance for you to find yourself and find what you want to do. It brings out the better person.”
