Columbia College will hold its 49^th Commencement on Friday, April 27 at 6:00 p.m. in the Oak Pavilion. A brief reception for the graduates and guests will be held immediately after the ceremony in Carkeet Park next to the pavilion.

The 297 students in the 2018 graduating class have earned a total of 136 Associate of Arts Degrees and 149 Associate of Science Degrees. Forty students will graduate with Distinction (cumulative grade point averages of 3.75 or better) and 35 with honors (between 3.5 and 3.74 grade point averages).

Twenty-five graduates earned more than one Associate degree:   Jamie Akins, Clifford Armstrong, Sarah Ashlock, Ian Austin, Sean Bell, Barbara Bryan, Ayla Buck, Ryan Christopher, Brett Dolan, Elizabeth Ekstrum, Shane Ekstrum, Derek Goodrich, Jamie Guerrero, Jennifer Hamrick, Kierin Harrison, Ronald Hawkins, Amanda Hummel, Elizabeth Jurado, Carmen Kelly, Stephanie Manthei, Mary McDermand, Alex McDonald, Mason Mendoza, Ryan Moyles, Taylor Moyles, Hayley Mutchler, Rachelle Palomino, Elias Pepito, Josephine Price, Fanjaharilanto Rasoavero Drake, Francesca Rodriguez, Michael Sturgis, Monica Taylor, Rachel Taylor, Kevin Tillery, Rachel Van Winkle, Jonah Vassar, Megan Vistica, Karen Williams, and Christian Wilson.

The following students have earned both an associate degree and a certificate will be presented to Nolan Adam-Chinn, Miles Aguilar, Gwendolyn Craig, Hayley Gorden, Denise Hinshaw, Benjamin Homberg, Katie Landis, Mary McDermand, Rita May Merritt, Daniel Navarro, Cody Salvador, and Jasmine Van Lehn. In addition to conferring of degrees, eighty-four students will be presented with Certificates of Achievement at the ceremony.

By hometowns or residing cities, members of the Columbia College graduating class of 2018 are:

 

 

Alameda, CA

Mason F. Mendoza

Altaville, CA

Michael B. Keller

Karina Ortega

Amy Alexis Sanchez

Angels Camp, CA

Ryan-Alexander ArceJaeger

Trenton Lee Bennett

Bria M. Calhoun

Sally Diamanti-Wilson

Jordan C. Gomez

Hayley Lynn Gorden

Ryan Parker Jones

Ashlen Hope Mayben

Ethan Christian Moes

Marisol Rodriguez

Michael Alan Barden Wilmshurst

Christian Arthur Wilson

 

Antioch, CA

Miles Damian Aguiar

 

 

Arnold, CA

Bailey Michael Amburgey-Wilkes

Paxton Sally Mae Fassbender

Ronald S. Hawkins

Austin Noel Smith

Monica Maria Taylor

 

 

Belleville, IL

Candace L. Turner

 

 

Big Bear City, CA

Gwendolyn Craig

 

 

Buena Park, CA

Jarrod Duane Garrison

Mayada Tranel-Chachere Leonard

 

 

Chinese Camp, CA

Robert Michael Behee

 

Coalinga, CA

Charlie Jeanne Cites

 

 

Coarsegold, CA

Alexandra Devon Long

 

 

Columbia, CA

Kai John Bannister

Sarah Audrey Elizabeth Gaestel

Louis Gregson Huntley, III

Molly L. Olson

Fanjaharilanto J. Rasoavero Drake

 

 

Copperopolis, CA

Megan Nicole Graham

Summer Brianna Hansen

Darrell B. Lucas

Alyssa Danielle Mascote

Sarah L. McGee

Alinda Rahn

Elizabeth Ingrid Rand

Jennifer A. Roe

Steven L. Rose

Vaughn E. Warriner

Kristina Rae Zimmerman

 

Coulterville, CA

Sean M. Bell

Brooke Lyn Bozzo

Kimberly A. Busby

Magnum L. Godfrey

Mary Jane McDermand

 

Cupertino, CA

Charles R. Christ

 

 

Douglas Flat, CA

Kenna Nicole Evans

 

 

Downey, CA

Jamie Christina Guerrero

 

Eden, ID      

Amy Lynne Alves

 

 

Escalon, CA

Audrey Layne Sabina Orr

 

 

Fullerton, CA

Hayley Elizabeth Winters

 

 

Jamestown, CA

Joseph J. Campbell

Efrain Corral

Brett James Dolan

Bo Jacqueline Gonzalez

Kierin A. Harrison

Kristi Jane Insilan

Ryan J. Lacasse

Erin Lee Nichols

Ryder Lewis Richards

Peter Tidball

Rachel D. Van Winkle

Boclaire Vaughn

Melvin Robert Wignall

Nicole Marie Wilkins

Ben Darrel Williams

 

La Grange, CA

Tristan Clay Avalos

Kennedy F. Bruce

Arianna R. Dias

Danielle L. Trotter

 

Lathrop, CA

Samantha Marie Jones

 

 

Livermore, CA

Andrew Gordon Hall

Kirsten Elizabeth Hall

 

Lodi, CA

Samuel Lewis Brumm

Kurt Jeffrey Johnson

David W. Ring

 

Los Angeles, CA

Courtney Erica Young

 

 

Mariposa, CA

Patience A.K. McCoy

Hanna Rose Olson

 

Merced, CA

Bryce A. Bernat

 

 

Mi Wuk Village, CA

John Joseph Contreras

Rachelle Irene Palomino

 

Modesto, CA

Anthony R. Berbena

Abby Margaret Breitzman

Emily Marie Chavez

Garrett Ryan Johnson

Kyler Garrett Machado

Alexander Jason McDonald

Tamara Dawn McLain

Sarah F. Miser

Kayla A. O’Connell

Anton Daniel Sonke

Sarah Arlene Wallace

 

Mokelumne Hill, CA

Taylor Nichole Bratcher

 

 

Mountain Ranch, CA

Bryce Gabriel Dorflinger

Mackenzie L. Dwight

Karen Michelle Williams

 

 

Murphys, CA

Justin David Barnes

Shane K. Clifton

Kailyn Arlene Finley

Gabriela Gomez

Katie Mae Landis

Joshua Michael Massal

Alicia J. Mcdaniel

Daniel J. Navarro

Andre M. Sage

 

Oakdale, CA

Raeleen D. Cone

Dustin Edward Costello

Kaylee Reann De Ruyter

Crystal Ann Dyrcz

Benjamin G. Eagleton

Austin Tyler Echols

Samantha Elizabeth Esquivel

Alicia Jeanette Farris

Brandon Lee Finley

Trae Matthew Folla

Raymond Tyler Gerdes

Nathanael M.E. Higle

Kimberly Brooke Kraus

Stephanie Marie Manthei

Kelsey Giulianna Marino

Virginia Montes

Lisa Marie Morris

Breanna Marie Perez

Carley Autumn Ross

Tanner Wesley Smith

Megan Renee Tackett

Kevin M. Tillery

Courtney Lynn Voelker

Samuel Patrick Walker

Kendra Kathlyn Whorton

 

Oakmont, CA

John Alexander Clark

 

 

Oroville, CA

Virginita Marie McGrath

 

 

Pine Grove, CA

Cody A. Salvador

 

 

Redwood City, CA

Danny Lee Harthun

 

 

Rescue, CA

John E. Wheeler

 

 

Riverbank, CA

Micayla Dalene Nelson

 

Sacramento, CA

Grant Patrick Duran

 

 

San Andreas, CA

Jared M. Cragun

Shasta Marie Garcia

Michelle Marie McBride

 

San Jose, CA

Eric A. Cancilla

Amanda Olivia Lancaster

Natasha Sarah Sanchez

Jeremiah R. Wilson

Jacob W. Woodford

 

Santa Cruz, CA

Nolan P. Adam-Chinn

 

 

Sonora, CA

Alexander Dennis Adam

Alaric Bradley Adams

Jacob Ryan Alvarado

Mikaela Elizabeth Amayawood

Clifford J. Armstrong

Sarah Rene Ashlock

Ian Fraser Austin

Robert C. Bannwarth

Abrianna Barrera

Christa Lee Bartels

Emily Ann Beluardo

Keeley Marie Benton

Patricia G. Bibal

Michayla Marie Botts

Karla Bowman

Isabella Christine Boyack

Alaina Nicole Brosnan

Christianna Joy Bush

Aleyah Cordoba

Brendan Edmond Lee Danicourt

Ryan Patrick Dies

Courtney Anne Divine

Natasha Jean Eaves

Sierra R. Engle

Kelley O. Figley

Chris Michael Forster

Jenine Danika Frost

Gregory L. Gayle

Michaela M. Goellner

Jennifer L. Hamrick

Sierra Dawn Hartsog

Denise K. Hinshaw

Benjamin Robert Holmberg

Amber L. Isnec

Jeffrey D. James

Quinlan Kenneth Joyce

Elizabeth Jurado

Timothy Patrick Justice, II

Ashley Janelle Kennedy

Hanna C.E. Kentta-Brown

James Michael Kress

Hillary A. Liljedahl

Dalton Moreno Lyons

Rita May F. Merritt

Mark Lloyd Mills

Melissa Murry

Sabrina Dawn Nash

Samuel Jeffery Nash

Elizette Soto Nelson

Brooke Nielsen

Derek Oliver Nilsen

Jessica Leigh Nosanow

Jose I. Paz, Jr.

Elias J. Pepito

Shylynn Angelique Pollard

Josephine May Price

Natalie Forrest Rade

Jacob W. Ramsey

Treasure E. Ratcliff

Kerry A. Rice

Francesca J. Rodriguez

Tony Jay Rogers

McKenzie Leigh Rollins

Samuel A. Savage

Emily L. Schmittle

Dylan Michael Skutches

Maddison Leann Stevens

Michael Joseph Sturgis

Gabriella R. Taylor

Devin Robert Terrill

Stephanie Lynne Teuton

Rayanna Faye Torok

Melissa Anne Tuck

Isabel Mia Valadez

Logan Frasier Van Bezey

Jonah J. Vassar

Mason Cruz Verde-Green

Stephanie Lyka R. Viceral

Sal Villafana

Megan Renee Vistica

Bryon Thomas Walker

Dawn Michelle Warfield

Sienna Nichole Weeks

Kara Louise Wessel

Ryan J. Whalen

Summer N. Williams

Stephanie A. Wise

Keeley Anne Wivell

Rachel Olivia Wyatt

Evan Ryan Young

 

Soulsbyville, CA

Hailey May Danicourt

David J. Ervin

Abraham J. McDonald

Arissa Jade Tischman

 

 

Steven Point, CA

Lamu S. Ryavec

 

 

Sutter Creek, CA

Amanda N. Hummel

 

 

Tollhouse, CA

Stephanie Hope Valenzuela

 

 

Tuolumne, CA

Brianna L. Barclay

Evelyn Diane Blue

Melody J. Brown

Jonah Matthew Funk

Carmen Kelly

Analycia Renee Miervalle

Mason Taylor Montgomery

Margie N. Peau

Aaron Rasmussen

Susie B. Sugg

Rachel Ann Taylor

Adam Michael Walker

 

Turlock, CA

Samuel D. Ewing

Efren Joe Northcutt

Andrew Vincent Preuss

 

 

Twain Harte, CA

Jamie Lee Akins

Sheila Blackburn

Michael D. Brautovich

Barbara L. Bryan

Ayla Rose Buck

Ryan J. Christopher

Sean J. Griffith

David C. Heston-Sanders

Kathleen Nicole Hobbins

Hayley Christina Mutchler

Brian Christopher Winters

 

Union City, CA

Derek Kevin Goodrich

 

 

Vallecito, CA

Carter T. Christian-Billings

Elizabeth A. Ekstrum

Shane A. Ekstrum

 

 

Valley Springs, CA

Jacob A. Evans

Karli N. Gerlinger

Carrissa Marie Gomez

Jasmine N. Van Lehn

Amber Elizabeth Arvin

 

Wallace, CA

Ryan Joseph Moyles

Taylor John Moyles

 

Waterford, CA

Quentin Howard Muncy

The Columbia College Presidential Search Committee has selected two finalists who will participate in community open forums scheduled for April 18 and 19, 2018 at Columbia College.

The finalists (with most recent position held) are listed below with forum times:

 

Dr. Santanu Bandyopadhyay – (Wednesday, April 18, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. in the Dogwood Forum Building)

(Executive Vice President of Educational Programs and Student Services, Cypress College – Cypress CA)

 

Dr. James Todd – (Thursday, April 19, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. in the Dogwood Forum Building)

(Vice President of Student Services at Modesto Junior College – Modesto, CA)

The search committee was chaired by Dr. Melissa Raby, Vice President of Student Services, Columbia College. Initial interviews were completed April 6, 2018 and the names of the two finalists have been forwarded to Chancellor Yong and the YCCD Board of Trustees.

Open forums have been scheduled on April 18 and April 19 in the Dogwood Forum, Columbia College, 11600 Columbia College Drive, Sonora. The forum on April 18 will be from 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., the forum on April 19 will be from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Each finalist will be given an opportunity to discuss their preparation for the position, their education and leadership philosophy, concluding with a time to respond to questions from the forum attendees. The forums are open to the public and community members are warmly invited to attend.

Profiles:

Dr. Santanu Bandyopadhyay

(Forum date/time: April 18, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.)

Education:

• Ph.D. in Higher Education, Ohio University
• MBA, Ohio University
• B.S. in Physics, Kolkata University

Professional Experience:

• Executive Vice President of Educational Programs and Student Services, Cypress College
• Director of Institutional Research and Planning, Cypress College
• Budget and Policy Analyst, Ohio University

 

Dr. James Todd

(Forum date/time: April 19, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.)

Education:

• Ph.D. and M.A in Cultural Anthropology, University of California, Santa Cruz
• M.A. in Anthropology, The George Washington University
• B.A. in Anthropology, New College of the University of South Florida
• A.A. in General Studies, Brevard Community College

Professional Experience:

• Vice President of Student Services, Modesto Junior College
• Professor of Anthropology and Academic Senate President, Modesto Junior College

The Symphony of the Sierra 2018 Spring Concert will be held at Columbia College, Dogwood Forum, at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 17, 2018. The repertoire provides a wonderful introduction to orchestral music for children, while being complex enough to satisfy the seasoned classical ear.

The orchestra is excited to be performing the fourth movement of Beethoven’s 5^th Symphony, Gershwin’s American in Paris, Gounod’s Judex from Mors et Vita, and Williams’s English Folk Song Suite.

The symphony is delighted to introduce the Symphony of the Sierra Beginning Strings (a Community Education course) — performing in their first concert.  This is a free event open to the public and all are welcome.

Columbia College Foundation HONORS STUDENTS – More than $120,000 in Scholarships AWARDED

The Columbia College Foundation and its community partners will present more than $120,000 in scholarships to qualified and deserving students at the annual Columbia College Scholarship and Awards Celebration on Thursday, April 12.  The event, 4:30-5:30 pm at the Dogwood Forum on campus, features student and community speakers, musical performances and presentation of the Student of the Year awards.

Speakers at Thursday’s event include Elsie Bruno, a retired Columbia College counselor who was the college’s first scholarship coordinator, nursing student Melissa Murray who was selected 2018 Student of the Year, and re-entry student Matthew Burbey who will share his story of starting a support program to help students like himself who were formerly incarcerated.

In the 2017-2018 academic year, the Foundation and community partners awarded more than 150 scholarships to more than 90 students, totaling more than $120,000 in support for their educational expenses. Many of these scholarships are contributed by community organizations and individuals, many are offered annually through the Foundation’s endowed funds, and more than 20 each year are funded through the Foundation’s Osher Scholarship Endowment, established in partnership with the Bernard Osher Foundation, the Foundation for California Community Colleges and community donors.

Columbia College students are encouraged to apply for scholarships each fall. Criteria for awards vary depending on donors’ preferences, which include area of study, academic excellence, volunteer involvement or financial need.

“I deeply appreciate the generosity of our donors who help support the success of our students through scholarships,” noted Dr. Angela Fairchilds, College President. “For many students, this kind of support is critical in helping them persevere.  Their personal stories are very compelling”

It is a point of pride for the college to have many internal campus donors – three student clubs sponsor annual scholarships, as well as all employee groups and dozens of individual faculty members and staff.

Colette Such, Columbia College Foundation President added, “Though it’s a great amount of work for all who read scholarship applications and choose scholarship recipients, it is truly a labor of love. Their stories often bring us to tears, their work inspires us, and their futures give us hope”

 

The Columbia College Foundation is a community nonprofit established in 1972 to promote quality higher education that enriches the academic, economic, and cultural life of our community. The Foundation’s mission is to promote student success by providing community resources that support and expand educational opportunities for Columbia College students. Donations to the Columbia College Foundation are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Questions about the Foundation should be directed to Amy Nilson, Director of Development, at (209) 588-5055 or nilsona@yosemite.edu.