It was a beautiful, picture-perfect day for Grossmont’s 48th annual Commencement held on June 3. About 4,000 people attended the event. This year, 1,103 students received associate degrees, and 346 students earned certificates of achievement.

“This is my second commencement ceremony as president, and what a different world we live in, compared to just one year ago,” said Dr. Sunita “Sunny” Cooke, Grossmont College president. “The economic conditions and employment market are certainly different. Clearly, we are living in challenging times.”

Addressing the students, Dr. Cooke said, “You have the opportunity to transform our world. You are our future. Your mission is to dream the future through your creativity, ingenuity, intellect and perseverance. So, make the most of yourself, and commit yourself to the common good of all. Set your goals high, work hard and believe in yourself, because one person can make a difference.”

The keynote speaker was Dr. Dorothy Wiley, who earned her associate degree in nursing at Grossmont College in 1977, and today is an associate professor of primary care nursing at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), School of Nursing. “Your challenge is and will be to look inside yourself, develop and nurture a dream and make it come true,” she said. “As you graduate tonight, some of you will be moving into a workplace, some will go on to higher education, some will become volunteers, and some will do all of the above. You will walk a variety of paths and touch many lives, and I believe that your journey will be richer if you take an interest in others, and help them along their way.”

Jose Molina Serrano was the student speaker. Serrano, an accomplished guitarist and songwriter, has toured the world during the past four decades with several big-name latin rock bands, including childhood friend Carlos Santana. But, he always wanted to attend college. “I had only made it as far as the ninth grade,” said Serrano, a ninth grade dropout from Tijuana who moved to the United States at age 19. “I always felt denied and somewhat ashamed for not being able to complete my education, until today.” In 2003, Serrano showed up on campus on a day when classes were not in session, and ran into faculty member Steve Baker, who provided registration information and encouragement. Serrano received an associate degree in music. Last year, his CD was taken aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia, and his song “Away From Home” was played to awaken the sleeping astronauts.

Another speaker was Edda Temoche-Weldele, who was selected by the Academic Senate as the 2008-2009 Distinguished Faculty Award Honoree for outstanding contributions in teaching and exceptional academic leadership. Edda, who teaches Spanish at Grossmont College, shared an equation for success with the graduates: “Desire plus believe in yourself plus action equals dream in life fulfilled. Believe in yourself, take a chance and you also will have magical moments.”