Butte College
News Announcement

Butte College 54th Annual Commencement Ceremony Set for Friday, May 26

Other Ceremonies Planned

Butte College will confer 1,278 degrees and celebrate a diverse group of graduates at its 54th Annual Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 26, at 7:00 p.m., at Butte College's main campus, John Cowan Sports Complex, 3536 Butte Campus Drive, Oroville. Superintendent/President Virginia Guleff will preside over the ceremony along with the Butte-Glenn Community College District Board of Trustees.

"Graduation is a momentous occasion that marks the culmination of years of hard work, dedication and perseverance," said President Guleff. "Butte College is honored to be part of so many students' journeys. As they embark on the next chapter of their lives, we know they will continue to make us proud and inspire others with their passion, intelligence and commitment to excellence. Congratulations to the Butte College Class of 2023!"

The ceremony will include participation from several graduates, including a student commencement speaker, a student vocalist and four students who serve as marshals. Platform marshals are Associated Students President Paige Rodriguez, 25, of Oroville, who is earning an associate degree for transfer in psychology, and student trustee Elie Wyllie, 21, of Chico, who will earn an associate degree for transfer in communications studies. The two graduate marshals, Johnathan Szwarc, 19, of Magalia, and Sarah Parmeter, 38, of Chico, were selected for their 4.0 GPA. Faculty marshals participating are retiring faculty and staff Boyd Trolinger and Peter Dahl.

Butte's 2023 student commencement speaker is Reece October, 27, of Port Elizabeth, South Africa. October has attended Butte College since fall 2021 and is earning an associate degree for transfer in psychology and an associate degree in social and behavioral sciences. After graduating, October will transfer to Saint Peter's University in New Jersey to pursue an accelerated master's program in industrial-organizational psychology. She hopes to work as a behavioral analyst and pursue a doctoral degree in industrial-organizational psychology to become a board-certified behavioral analyst.

One of October's favorite Butte College experiences was working on campus. Being a student assistant allowed her to engage with students and make a difference in the lives of others. In her speech, she addresses the transformative power of her time at Butte College. "I stopped looking through the lens of my fears and started thinking about ways I could balance my community-based upbringing and my newly awakened individuality," she said. "I was in a unique position, and this is where I finally found peace, amongst my new family and new culture."  

Commencement vocalist Amanda Meyers, 21, of Chico, will perform the national anthem. Meyers attended Butte College for the last six semesters and will earn an associate degree in language arts and an associate degree in social and behavioral science. She will transfer to Chico State this fall to pursue a bachelor's in communications. She hopes to become a professional videographer. 

Butte College's Class of 2023 spans a wide array of ages, ranging from 17 to 71. The College's youngest graduate, Audrey Tsikata, 17, of Chico, is earning two associate degrees, one in psychology and one in public health science. Butte's most mature graduate is David L. Hagedorn, 71, of Chico, who earned an associate degree for transfer in agriculture business in fall 2022.

Our graduates came to Butte College from 134 California cities and towns, 19 other US states and 14 foreign countries, including Bahamas, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Myanmar, Norway, Peru, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland and Tunisia.

This in-person event draws thousands of attendees, including faculty, staff, administrators, family and friends. A live stream will be available at caminal-equip.com/stream for those who cannot attend. For more information about Butte College, visit caminal-equip.com/commencement.

Other Graduation Celebrations:

Veterans Graduation Celebration
Wednesday, May 17, 11:00 a.m.
Main Campus, Veterans Resource Center

Asian and Pacific Islander Graduation Celebration
Thursday, May 18, 6:00 p.m.
Main Campus, Center for Excellence

Native American Student Graduation Celebration
Friday, May 19, 10:00 a.m.
Main Campus, Center for Excellence

Cosmetology and Barbering Graduation Celebration
Wednesday, May 24, 4:00 p.m.
Main Campus, Campus Center

Advanced Manufacturing Graduation Celebration
Wednesday, May 24, 11:00 a.m.
Main Campus, Welding & Manufacturing Facility

Lavender Graduation Celebration
Wednesday, May 24, 2:00 p.m.
Main Campus, QRC

Respiratory Therapy Graduation Celebration
Wednesday, May 24, 3:00 p.m.
Main Campus, Black Box Theater

Licensed Vocational Nurse Pinning Ceremony
Thursday, May 25, 9:00 a.m.
Main Campus, Quad

Registered Nursing Pinning Ceremony
Thursday, May 25, 11:00 a.m.
Main Campus, Quad

Latinx Graduation Celebration
Thursday, May 25, 6:00 p.m.
Main Campus, Quad

Automotive Graduation Celebration
Thursday, May 25, 6:00 p.m.
Butte College Skyway Center

Fire Academy Graduation Celebration
Friday, May 26, noon.
Paradise Alliance Church

Black Student Graduation Celebration
Saturday, May 27, 10:00 a.m.
Main Campus, Campus Center

Paramedics Graduation Celebration
Wednesday, May 31, 4:00 p.m.
Main Campus, Black Box Theater

Welding Graduation Celebration
Friday, June 9, 1:00 p.m.
Main Campus, Campus Center

Law Enforcement Graduation Celebration
Friday, June 9, 3:00 p.m.
Paradise Alliance Church

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