This content was published: June 19, 2017. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
PCC’s 55th graduation a first for new president Mark Mitsui
Photos and story by James Hill
The Portland Community College academic season came to a glorious end on June 16 with its 55th commencement ceremony in the Memorial Coliseum.
More than 800 graduates walked across the stage to receive their associate degree or certificate in front of a crowd of nearly 6,000. The college awarded 5,300 total degrees and certificates this year to its 2017 graduates.
The theme seemed to be that no matter where you are from, what country you hail from, PCC is there to help you on your path. Featured student speaker Moon Detering embodied this theme as she told the packed stadium of her journey from poverty in China to overcoming a language barrier in Portland.
“PCC has helped me find myself and broaden my horizons,” she said. “I’ll never forget my past or humble beginnings, but I would have never succeeded without PCC.”
The graduation was special in many ways, but one of the more prominent attractions was President Mark Mitsui’s first commencement address. He talked about the economic engine that is PCC and how the college ranks in the top-10 in the country in associate degrees awarded by community colleges. It’s a big connection.
“Studies show that the more education you have the greater economic security you’ll have, the less likely you are to be unemployed, the better your health will be and the more likely you’ll be engaged in your community,” he said. “In short, you decided to pursue a better life through education and training right here at PCC … believe me when I say that PCC cares about you.”
If you have questions about official photos, email: commencement@pcc.edu.
2017 Commencement Photo Gallery
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »
Where can I find the 2017 individual graduate pictures?
I would also like to know where can I find 2017 individual graduate picture, or where I can buy it? Thank you!
Could you lets us know where to buy the indiv. Pix
Please contact Student records who organized the graduation events at commencement@pcc.edu.
Where can we purchase individual picture from the commencement? Thank you.
Where can we purchase the 2017 individual graduation photo? I cannot find a link anywhere!
Can you post a link to the complete photo album?
Does anyone know the password to order the commencement photographs ?
PCCGRADS2017
Thank you James for posting information about the pictures. Nobody at graduation mentioned this and I thought I had no pictures of my graduation after my Dad’s phone died.
I graduated two months ago on june 16, 2017. I would like to know where and when can I get or purchase the picture when I received the diploma, when I walked over from the stage, etc. I have tried so many email through commencement at pcc.edu; however, I have not gotten any answer from the at all. I have checked through the comment from the commencement last year 2016, and someone has told that we need to go to life touch on google. I went there last night, and I thought I found it. However, they asked me to get the enter password enrollment or something. Does anyone know what is the password enrollment?
Not quite sure why the photo information is so hard to find, but I did track it down:
Hope this helps.