Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Commencement is a Community Event

Photos and Story by James Hill

PORTLAND, Ore. – On Sunday, June 17 at 2 p.m., more than 1,800 Portland Community College students take center stage at the Memorial Coliseum, One Center Court – 1401 North Wheeler Ave. to receive associate degrees, diplomas, GEDs or certificates. They will be celebrating the hard work and sacrifice that is legendary to the graduates of Portland Community College. The 2001 commencement marks the 39th year of graduation ceremonies for PCC. People from all walks of life, diverse backgrounds and ages represent the class of 2001 – the youngest is 15, the oldest is 71. Approximately 60 percent are women; minorities make up 20 percent of the graduating class. Dr. Daniel F. Moriarty, president of Portland Community College since 1986, will deliver the 2001 commencement address. Moriarty, who retires this July, will focus on the power of the individual and one’s opportunity to make a difference in the community and in the lives of others. Many of the PCC graduates are on their second chance for success, some even a last chance, which makes the event particularly moving for all of those who are attending. This year’s student speaker, Corey Tolliver, excelled in speech at PCC after a life-defining gun accident. He is graduating with a 3.9 GPA. In a recent article in The Oregonian, Tolliver said, "Two-year colleges take people who didn’t have a chance before, had no way of ever changing their station in life, people who had bad consequences or situations – like what happened to me – and it gives them a chance." However, Tolliver is just one of many impressive and inspiring students who will graduate on June 17. Alexander La Follett, the youngest graduate, will earn an associate of arts Oregon transfer degree at age 15. La Follett is a member of the Portland Youth Philharmonic and this May one of his original compositions was performed. He graduates with highest honors. At the other end of the spectrum, Barbara D. Flannigan, age 61, earns her associate of applied science degree in Management/Supervisory Development. Barbara and her husband have seven children and 16 grandchildren, many of whom will be in the audience applauding her accomplishment. "I always wanted to go to college,"said Flannigan. "I never lost sight of the dream." David Lomax, student body president at Cascade Campus, earns his associate of applied science degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology. Lomax, a father of four, organized a statewide community college lobby day at the state capitol in May and earlier led an effort to reach 8,000 students about PCC’s bond measure. LaDonne Rodriguez will receive an associate of applied science degree in nursing. Her journey has been rougher than most. She dropped out of school after the eighth grade, spiraled into drugs, and was incarcerated. On June 17, she will be graduating with highest honors, a 3.92 GPA. She is a mother of six with her youngest, age 2.