Saturday, Apr. 26, 2008

It's Diploma Time

MJC grads get their degrees Friday, ready to start lives, careers

After real estate didn't pan out for Oscar Dominguez, he turned to Modesto Junior College for retraining.

In about a year, Dominguez completed MJC's Accelerated Careers in Technology program and wore a cap and gown with MJC's other graduates Friday night. Dominguez, 42, earned a certificate and an associate degree as an industrial electrician and said he hopes to work for a plant in the Modesto area.

After four years in the Air Force, Dominguez spent two decades in sales jobs. He said he is looking for a stable career that pays well but also allows him more time to spend with his 2-year-old son.

"I'm pleased that I finally am completing something, and I feel like I'm going in the right direction," Dominguez said.

"I wish they would have had a program like (ACT) 20 years ago."

Like Dominguez, many MJC students earned more than a two-year degree. Along with 1,256 associate degrees, the school awarded 362 certificates Friday.

For example, Stephen Greer earned six certificates, and Edward Campbell received four associate degrees and a certificate, according to the commencement program.

"Modesto Junior College is not an institution. It's a place where people find opportunities and new beginnings," President Richard Rose told the crowd.

Graduates crossed the ceremonial stage in MJC's stadium surrounded by bright blue -- blue caps and gowns, blue balloons, a blue running track and a blue sky.

Husband-and-wife couples and parent-and-child pairs graduated together Friday; ages ranged from 18 to 60.

In his keynote address, Modesto City Schools Superintendent Arturo Flores told the MJC Pirates that their future had arrived Friday. He urged them to be students day in and day out. Flores encouraged the graduates to read 25 books a year, to which the new alumni jokingly balked.

Graduate Liz Musquiz spoke on behalf of her peers, reviewing the "arduous and exhilarating journey" they've all completed.

After five years at MJC, the mother of two plans to transfer to the University of the Pacific to pursue a bachelor of science degree in sociology.

Perhaps the most entertaining of the speakers was speech instructor Jim Sahlman. Garnering laughter and applause from the audience, Sahlman at one point asked the graduates: "What have you learned about yourself, what have you learned about others and the world around you?

"Use integrity with what you learned" by doing the right thing when no one else is looking, he said.

Bee staff writer Michelle Hatfield can be reached at mhatfield@modbee.com or 578-2339.