Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

PCC celebrates grads at 43rd commencement

Photos and story by James Hill

PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Community College is celebrating its 43rd graduation ceremony, awarding 2,562 diplomas to PCC graduates. Commencement exercises are set for Friday, June 10, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Memorial Coliseum, One Center Court, 1401 N. Wheeler Ave. Family, friends, faculty and staff will be on hand to congratulate the graduates and celebrate their accomplishments as they take center stage with PCC District President Preston Pulliams, the board of directors and executive staff. "These graduates deserve to celebrate and be celebrated," said Pulliams. "PCC is a resource you can use at any stage of your life. When you think about upgrading your job skills, wanting to explore a new hobby, change direction in your life, or just learn for the sheer joy of it, PCC will be here for you." PCC chose 39-year-old Theresa Burns, a mother of three who began college after her marriage foundered, to deliver the student address. Pulliams will provide the welcome and pay special tribute to two retiring board members, Dana Anderson and Norma Jean Germond, each of whom has served on the college board since 1985. Algie Gatewood, Cascade Campus president, will emcee the ceremony. Burns, of Cornelius, entered the New Directions program at the Rock Creek Campus for dislocated homemakers in 2002, unsure of herself and her ability to provide for her three children, ages 10, 12 and 14. She had been married for 20 years to a career military man and now found herself on her own. In addition, Burns’ oldest child has special needs, which compounded her struggle to juggle family responsibilities and get an education. "It was a very scary time," she said. "I was vulnerable." However, the mother of three discovered her academic potential and flourished in PCC’s small classes and encouraging faculty. Judy Zimmerman, who teaches psychology and women’s studies, nominated Burns as the 2005 student speaker. "Not only is Theresa an excellent student with a 4.0 GPA to her credit, I sense that she is a terrific mother as well," wrote Zimmerman in her nomination letter. "Theresa seems to balance her roles as student and parent in an admirable fashion." Burns said online classes saved her. "If online hadn’t been available, (school) wouldn’t have been possible." Plus, the flexibility of Saturday and evening classes helped her stay in school. She will receive her associate’s degree in Computer Applications and Office Skills and hopes eventually to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology or sociology. She is a member of the two-year college honor society, Phi Theta Kappa, and volunteers as an advocate for other students in the New Directions as well as in the Women’s Resource Center. Burns believes her children also deserve recognition, "for sacrificing their time and attention, and I was crabby at times. They really had to put up with a lot. But I can see in them that (my staying in school) is having a positive effect in their studies." Christine Paull, coordinator of the New Directions program, said, "As Theresa has taken charge of her life, she has taken control of her health by joining a gym and embarking on a weight loss program & she changed her academic goal from taking one class only, to maybe earning a certificate and now to graduating with an associate degree with honors and I don’t think she’s through yet!" Nineteen-year-old Alicia Tinoco Solis, an immigrant and the first in her family to earn a college degree, is another deserving PCC graduate. Solis is getting her associate of applied science degree in civil and mechanical engineering technology and has maintained a 3.65 GPA. The Sylvania Women’s Resource Center recently honored her with its Outstanding Student Award. Solis said the college provided an environment that brought students together. "I’m happy attending PCC and being with a group of people who I’ll continue to be in contact with," she said. "I loved the variety of people in my classes. The classes are geared toward developing teamwork … so you had to learn how to work together and accomplish the goal." This summer, Solis earned a Ben Linder Scholarship, which will allow her to work and study in Tlaxco, Mexico for the summer, helping to build sustainable housing for residents. In the fall, she plans to enlist in the Navy and eventually pursue a degree in nuclear engineering. Solis, a graduate of Tigard High School, emigrated from Mexico to the U.S. 11 years ago. Her father, who now works as a custodian at the college, came to the States first and worked numerous jobs to make enough money to bring Alicia, her brother and mother to Oregon. Her mother took ESL classes, earned her GED and is now taking business administration classes at PCC. Alicia often helps her mother with her coursework. PCC, the largest institution of higher education in Oregon, offered its first commencement ceremony in 1962 to a dozen students in the lunchroom of Portland’s former Failing Elementary School. Forty-three years later, PCC serves more than 85,000 full- and part-time students. Students will earn degrees in associate of arts Oregon transfer, associate of science, associate of general studies and associate of applied science; one- and two-year certificates; high school diplomas; and GED certificates.