Civic center packed for CCC graduation

CLOVIS — The Clovis Civic Center was packed to standing room only once again for this year's Clovis Community College commencement ceremony, an evening of inspiring messages, proud families and more than 100 graduates clad in shimmering blue robes.

"We all endured lecture after lecture, test after test, night after night," said student speaker Samantha Wirth. "We're all here, completely dressed in blue polyester — and might I say you all look fabulous tonight."

Wirth, a newly-credentialed Nursing Associate, spoke through tears Friday evening while addressing her classmates, teachers, and a crowd of family and friends. She emphasized the various sacrifices she and her classmates endured to attain their degrees, oftentimes balancing school with jobs and family. Her address quoted actor Jim Carrey, from his 2014 address to students of the Maharishi University of Management in Iowa, stressing love and confidence over fear as guiding principles for post-grad life:

"Fear is going to be a player in your life, but you get to decide how much," she quoted. "So many of us choose our path out of fear disguised as practicality. What we really want seems impossibly out of reach and ridiculous to expect, so we never dare to ask the universe for it."

"We dare to ask," added Wirth. "I hope you never stop learning and don't let your mind waste away."

Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham, serving the state's 1st district in the U.S. House of Representatives, encouraged graduates in her commencement address to focus on relationships and be open-minded with any opportunities coming their way.

"Be open to every single opportunity, no matter how odd it might seem," she said. "Don't be afraid to take some risks."

Lujan Grisham described her own experience of finding success after graduating law school in 1987, when she had no job, student loans, and a fee from the state bar association hanging over her head.

After going out on a limb and volunteering with Lawyer Referral for the Elderly, Lujan Grisham soon found her way into the career of public service that she continues today.

Looking out on the faces of the new graduates, Lujan Grisham said she is "incredibly motivated and excited" for the future of the city, community, state and nation.

"I think about these young people, whose ideas matter, whose perspectives shape the world," she said.

Degrees were awarded in the fields of associate of arts, associate of general studies, and associate of applied sciences, as well as certificates of completion in a variety of fields, including medicine, business, criminal justice and cosmetology theory.

Over 100 students walked the stage Friday, but over 300 completed degrees, including long-distance students. Students listed in Friday's program also included graduates for Summer 2016 and Fall 2016, and candidates for Spring 2017 and Summer 2017.

Many students had customized their graduation cap mortarboards, with glitter, paint, fabric, or messages such as "Peace Out," "Adventure," and "I IS GRADUATED".

"All of you have truly demonstrated the capacity to challenge yourself," said college president Becky Rowley. "Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your success."

Rowley encouraged the graduates to continue to "scrutinize the world we live in," and to always balance critical thinking with hope.

"Facing the fear of failure requires hope and extraordinary courage," she said.

After conferring degrees, Rowley presented emeritus status to Becky Carruthers, who served as the college's division chair for business and technology from 1991 through her retirement last year.

Emilee Nieman and Caroline Popescu, of the English and Nursing departments, respectively, were recognized as 2016-17 recipients of the Teaching Excellence Awards from the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development.

Nieman and Popescu led the closing of the ceremony as Marshals for the recessional.