FCC Commencement Ceremony goes online
Join 2020 Virtual Commencement Celebration
The Fresno City College Commencement ceremony is historically rich in tradition. This year, it will be making history. The sound of pomp and circumstance will be different for the 2,400 graduates in the Fresno City College class of 2020. A virtual ceremony will be available on May 22 at 6:30 p.m.
The decision to cancel the in-person commencement ceremony was made as the COVID-19 crisis forced people to shelter in place and practice social distancing. Seeing no immediate end the quarantine restrictions, the difficult decision was made to call off the ceremony traditionally held in the Selland Arena. The college researched alternatives and chose to produce a virtual commencement.
"The Class of 2020 graduates are champions and we knew we had to find another way to honor their achievements, "said Dr. Carole Goldsmith President of Fresno City College. "Graduation is a rite of passage and a great milestone that deserves to be noted and celebrated. Our students were forced into a challenging situation through no fault of their own. Imagine having to change your whole way of life and learning in a moment's notice. They showed resolve and determination, "she added.
Preparation are now underway for the virtual ceremony that will be hosted online and can be accessed by the public. Students will hear from top administrators, Associated Student Government DeRon Walker and a keynote message from Fresno Major Lee Brand.
In addition, the names of this year's Deans Medallion winners will be announced and the winner of the Tony Cantu President' Medallion, the highest honor a student can receive, will be revealed. (The Dean's Medallion winners are listed below.)
Students will be able to click on their names to hear their personal announcement which they can download and share on social media. The site will be available to the public and will be online for a year.
The site will be accessible through the Fresno City College website,
Dr. Goldsmith is also inviting all 2020 graduates to participate in the commencement ceremony planned for 2021.
2020 Dean's Medallion Winners
Allied Health, Physical Educational and Athletics Division
Ms. Jordyn Valenzuela
Dental Hygiene (AS)
Dean, Ms. Lorraine Smith
Applied Technology Division
Mr. Andrew Harper
Computer Aided Manufacturing (AS)
Dean, Dr. Becky Barabe
Business Division
Ms. Maranee Forsyth
Paralegal (AS)
Dean, Dr. Timothy Woods
Counseling and Guidance Division
Mr. William Coleman
Computer Information Technology - Networking/Computer Tech (AS) & Health Information Technology (AS)
Dean, Ms. Monica Cuevas
Fine, Performing and Communications Arts Division
Mr. Terence Mendez (AA-T)
Music for Transfer
Dean, Ms. Cyndie Luna
Humanities Division
Ms. Jessica Ceballos
American Sign Language Studies (AA) & Liberal Arts - American Sign Language (AA)
Dean, Ms. Tabitha Villalba
Math, Science and Engineering Division
Ms. Elinore Alms
Biology for Transfer (AS-T)
Dean, Ms. Shirley McManus
Social Sciences Division
Ms. Shalika Pilipange
Elementary Teacher Education for Transfer (AA-T)
Dean, (Interim) Ms. Mary Beth Miller
