On April 29 approximately 14,000 students turned their tassels to become Miami Dade College graduates. Five ceremonies were carried out throughout the day at the James L. Knight Center and at Kendall Campus’ Theodore R. Gibson Health Center. Among the black gowns, decorated caps, colorful sashes and cords representing degrees and achievements stood out. The College awarded associate’s and bachelor’s degrees as well as certifications in technical areas. Commencement speakers, included the President of Northeastern University Joseph E. Aoun, Freeman A. Hrabowski, III, the President of The University of Maryland, Baltimore County and Donna E. Shalala, the former United States secretary of health and human services under the Bill Clinton administration and former president of the University of Miami.
—Maria Elena Vizcaino
Words Of Encouragement: From left to right Paola Quintero-Cota, the outgoing West Campus SGA president and Enrique Sepulveda, the outgoing Wolfson Campus SGA vice president talk and congratulate the graduates during the Wolfson and West campus commencement ceremony held at the James L. Knight Center on April 29. DEBORAH RODRIGUEZ \ MDC MEDIA RELATIONSSelfies For Memories: Homestead and InterAmerican Campus graduates snap selfies and pose for their families and friends as they wait to be seated for the commencement ceremony held at the Kendall Campus Gymnasium on April 29. OMAR NEGRIN \ THE REPORTERThe Waiting Game: From left to right Jonathan Major, Frantz Cerisier and Pierre Coq, graduates of the bachelors of applied science in supervision and management program at North Campus, sit and wait for their names to be called at graduation. SEBASTIÁN BALLESTAS \ THE REPORTERGreeting The Graduates: Homestead Campus President Jeanne F. Jacobs greets and congratulates a student as he walks across the stage at the Homestead and InterAmerican Campus commencement ceremony. OMAR NEGRIN \ THE REPORTERTears Of Joy: Kendall Campus graduate Lorena Gonzalez wipes a tear after receiving the Miami Dade College Board of Trustees Scholarship. OMAR NEGRIN \ THE REPORTERWalk Of Fame: Hialeah and Wolfson Campus President Joaquin Martinez and College President Eduardo J. Padrón walk toward the stage at the Medical and Hialeah Campus commencement ceremony. OMAR NEGRIN \ THE REPORTERTaking A Moment: Kendall Campus Honors College graduate Jordan Llanes takes a moment as guest speakers and students speak about life, love and their journey ahead during the Kendall Campus commencement ceremony held at the James L. Knight Center on April 29. OMAR NEGRIN \ THE REPORTER
Maria Vizcaino
Maria Elena Vizcaino, 20, was a mass communications/journalism major at MDC-West. Vizcaino, who graduated from Ronald W. Reagan Doral Senior High School in 2015, served as the briefing editor for The Reporter during the 2016 summer semester. She aspires to become an investigative print journalist.
