Commencement The commencement was virtual, but the accomplishment was real for more than 2,700 graduates who received 5,754 degrees and certificates from Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges. Digital slides featuring individual graduates took the place of the traditional march of regalia-adorned students, faculty, staff and administrators. With the spread of COVID-19, the colleges opted for online commencements to protect the health and safety of the community. The graduates and their families and friends logged on to watch the event, and posted celebratory messages on social media. Chancellor Lynn Neault praised the resilience of students who had to complete their courses online after the college campuses were shut down in midMarch following statewide shelter-in-place orders. Her sentiment was echoed by college leaders. “It is an unprecedented time, but our graduates have performed spectacularly to remain focused on their educational goals,� said Cuyamaca College President Julianna Barnes. Each college selected a student speaker -- Kyrie Macogay, Associated Student Government of Cuyamaca College president, and Grossmont College graduate Jonathan Whitney -- to address their fellow graduates. Like the rest of the ceremony, their speeches were recorded beforehand and included in the commencement videos. At Grossmont College, President Nabil Abu-Ghazaleh said it is remarkable that even considering the upheaval caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the number of graduates in 2020 exceeded last year by 5%, setting another record for the fourth consecutive year.
Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District l gcccd.edu / 25
785
Cuyamaca Graduates
1,180
Cuyamaca Degrees
233
Cuyamaca Certificates
1,957
Grossmont Graduates
2,822
Grossmont Degrees
1,519
Grossmont Certificates