Claremont Colleges hold graduation ceremonies

Reprinted with permission from the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Monica Rodriguez, Staff Writer
Published 05/16/2009

CLAREMONT - They attended different colleges, have different academic interests and will follow different paths but Saturday hundreds of young people gathered on various parts of the Claremont Colleges with one thing in common.

They stopped being college seniors and became college graduates.

Pitzer College, Claremont McKenna College, Claremont Graduate University and the Keck Graduate Institute held commencement ceremonies Saturday.

Among the first ceremonies was Pitzer College's.

Emmy award winning comedy writer and performer David Feldman delivered the keynote address at the Pitzer ceremony.

The comedy writer who has appeared frequently on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" has written for numerous television shows including "Roseanne," "Dennis Miller Live" and "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" mixed parental and political humor along with advice for the graduates.

"This is the most politically correct place I've ever seen," he said drawing cheers and laughter from the audience. "Even students from (UC) Berkeley walk around here and say 'Are you kidding?"'

Although it's the graduates who receive their diplomas at commencement the efforts aren't their's alone, Feldman said. Parents and other family members were involved.

"You're name might be on the diploma but we're all in this together," he said. "Today isn't about you. It's about us."

Diplomas are much than a document stating a graduate's field of study. They mean much more to parents, Feldman said.

"Today is bittersweet for your parents because today there will be an official document that certifies they raised you well," he said.

Woven in his jokes Feldman told graduates to remain intellectually curious, serve others, give back to the community, remain humble and "never assume your smarter than anybody."

Above all they shouldn't get caught up in the quest for material goods, he said.

"The more stuff there is the less time there is for the important," Feldman said.

Pitzer graduate Lisette Idalia Mendez earned a degree in psychology. After the ceremony she said she may be continuing her education.

It's not easy to secure a job in the current economic climate even when employers would like to hire her, she said.

Her ultimate goal is to work as a school psychologist in her hometown of El Monte.

"I want to go back to El Monte and give back," she said.

Brian Dolphin picked up his diploma with a guitarlayli on his back.

"I'm a traveling musician," said Dolphin who majored in philosophy.

He'll be doing a great deal of traveling soon through a fellowship that will take him to five countries including Norway, India and Cameroon.

"As a Watson Fellow I'll travel the world studying the nature of music and the music of nature," he said.

Among the Pitzer graduates was Valentina Molina Martinez, daughter of Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina.

Supervisor Molina said she was impressed with the ceremony and "the great messages about service" imparted by speakers.

Before the start of the Claremont McKenna College commencement graduates Rafael Elizalde of Riverside, Elias Rangel of Montebello and Jose Villanueva of San Diego said they were excited but a bit nervous as they finished one stage of life and started another.

"It's mixed emotions," Rangel said.

For Greg and Magdalena Vazquez of Redlands the day began with a joyous surprise.

Angela Marie Vazquez, the couple's eldest child, had called home so say she would graduate Cum Laude. According to the commencement program 22 percent of of the top 30 percent of the class earned this honor.

"She didn't know until (Saturday) morning when she picked up her cap and gown," her father said.

The dual psychology and religious studies major will be going on to USC to continue her studies with a goal of working with young people and eventually starting a non-profit group.

Laurie Armas of Huntington Beach was prepared Saturday to snap pictures of her daughter, Alisha Ayako Armas, who graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in history and government. This honor is given to 2 percent of the top 30 percent of the class, the program said.

"This part is over," her mother said. "She's enjoyed it here."

Armas said her daughter will probably be traveling soon to Eastern Europe as member of the Peace Corps.

Commencement activities at the Claremont Colleges end today with ceremonies for Pomona College, Scripps College and Harvey Mudd College.