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Yesterday, I attended my first commencement as chancellor for the Coast District. It was an amazing opportunity to celebrate with the graduates of Golden West College and their families. I look forward to joining with the graduates of Orange Coast College this evening and Coastline College next Friday. We are all fortunate to have these yearly reminders of why we are here. Of course, the celebrations and marking of accomplishments have been plentiful over the past few weeks.
Coastline College's Acquired Brain Injury Graduation and Awards Ceremony was particularly powerful. Individuals whose lives were upended by trauma provided compelling stories of resilience and adaptation. They proved that the human mind is capable of extraordinary change, under even the most harrowing of circumstances.
At Golden West College, I got a chance to celebrate with students improving English skills or who passed their citizenship tests. It reconnected me, in many ways, to the journey of my own grandparents and great grandparents. There was so much hope in the room. Not just hope, but a sense of pride that comes from those who work to build better futures for themselves, their families, and their communities.
A unique celebration of champions at Orange Coast College blended state and national titles in athleticism, artistry, and academics. Bringing these champions together reminded me that we humans are complex: we need movement, creative expression, and intellectual challenge in our lives. And, of course, we need resilience to endure the grueling hours of practice required for excellence.
Commencement is our graduates time to shine, in the glow of their families and loved ones, as we say goodbye. We have walked alongside these graduates for a time, lending what strength, wisdom, and encouragement we could offer. Their journeys will take many directions and many forms, yet each is better because we – because you – were here for them.
Thank you and happy end of the 2022-23 academic year!
With gratitude,
Whitney
Whitney Yamamura, Ed.D.
Chancellor
Postscript
It appears we did not hit send on the Weekly News Brief for April 28. If you want to read that message or any past stories, please check out the Coast District Newsroom.
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