Dedication, inspiration, hard work, completion of classes and transfers and jobs were the messages the annual graduation ceremony and 40th Anniversary of EOP&S/CARE/ CalWORKs program held on April 21 in the Bakersfield College cafeteria, presented to its audience.
Students, who are graduating this spring semester and were a part of one of the programs, were enthused at attending the dinner.
“My sister didn’t come to this ceremony and she regretted it, so I really don’t want to do the same because I am happy to be a part of the EOP ceremony,” said Annabel Rangel, 21, child development major.
The ceremony began with Primavera Arvizu, director of EOP&S/CARE/CalWORKs, who said opening thank you’s to staff and organizers for the event. She also welcomed BC President Greg Chamberlain onto the stage, who gave the welcoming speech.
“We are going somewhere really exciting with these programs, and I am very proud of the work that is being done by EOP&S/CARE/CalWORKs,” said Chamberlain.
Keynote speaker Olivia Garcia, vice president of content for The Bakersfield Californian and BC adjunct journalism professor, spoke about her journey through life and how her involvement in the EOP&S program at BC impacted her.
“It means a lot to me, the 40 years we are celebrating because going through these programs myself has helped me become who I am today,” said Garcia.
Garcia shared advice with the students on how to continue to go on with school and give it their all.
“Follow your dreams and understand that anything is possible. Use your past as a source of strength and have desire. The desire that comes from within that will drive you to accomplish what you want,” said Garcia.
Another keynote speaker, Doris Givens, Kern Community College District vice chancellor of educational services, also gave advice to students. “Do not let anybody control your thinking,” said Givens.
After the speakers, a 40th anniversary video was shown and it gave a historical story line of when and how EOP&S began.
The second half of the ceremony was the presentation of awards and each program had nominations for outstanding student, most inspirational, academic excellence outstanding student for professionalism and student for perseverance.
Following these nominations were the announcements of graduation candidates, presented by Vera Diaz, EOP&S counselor; Manuel Gonzales, EOP&S counselor; and Bonita Lopez, adjunct EOP&S counselor. There were a total of 50 graduates that were a part of EOP&S program, but only 26 of those students attended the ceremony.
Not only to celebrate the graduates, this ceremony was also to celebrate Gonzales’s years of service, who is retiring after working 36´ years at BC and 21 years as director of EOP&S. He has mentored and affected student and staff lives and EOP&S students have returned to thank him for the support he has provided.
“I have been blessed to have worked here at Bakersfield College. Especially with a program that has allowed me to meet thousands of students,” said Gonzales.
Gonzales thanked family, colleagues, administrators and students for making his years at BC memorable.
“I thank everyone and I have to say I am not counting the days to retire, like many may think. It is a bittersweet moment because I have been here for some time,” said Gonzales.