Graduation Photos

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Photos by Chuck Kirman / Star staff Moorpark College graduates march to their seats in the campus quad during the college's commencement. Students in the honors program were also recognized.

Moorpark College honored some 300 graduates for completing work on their associate's degrees during a graduation ceremony Thursday.

Earlier in the day, the college held a separate ceremony for students who were transferring to universities without earning degrees. It was the first time transfer students without diplomas were given a formal ceremony.

Students in the honors program also were recognized during the ceremony.

Under sunny skies with temperatures hovering around 90 degrees, friends and family members cheered the graduating class members as they entered the Campus Center quad for the ceremony.

The students who participated at commencement exercises were only a fraction of the 1,217 students who had qualified to graduate during the school's 2007-08 term.

Moorpark College President Eva Conrad told students at both ceremonies that attending the community college will benefit them when they transfer to universities.

Moorpark is No. 1 among community colleges of its size for transferring students to CSU and UC schools, Conrad noted.

"If the past is any indication of the future, you will do better than most students who went straight into a university," said Conrad, who spoke at her last graduation as president.

Conrad retired this year and was given a plaque by Andrew Anzalone, student president of the college.

The keynote speaker at the graduation ceremony was Blaise Simqu, president and chief executive officer of Sage Publications, one of the leading academic and education publishers in the world.

During his speech, Simqu commended older, returning students in college.

"I have tremendous respect for the commitment and sacrifice that students with families and jobs have to make. Young people can't fully appreciate the sacrifice you made," Simqu said.

Among the graduating class were students of all ages, including 19-year-old Amina Elkerdany, who started college before her high school graduating class and is transferring to UCLA in the fall.

Carol Saez traveled from Wyoming to see her 40-year-old daughter, Shae Saez, graduate with an associate of arts degree in liberal studies.

"I'm very proud of her. She's overcome a lot of difficulties to be here today so you bet I was going to be here today," Carol Saez said.

"It's hot out here today, but it's pretty cool that I'm graduating finally," said Shae Saez, who worked fulltime while attending classes.