News
Whittier College Will Celebrate Latino Graduates
May 15, 2008 Press Release
Whittier College will celebrate the 7th Annual Latino Graduates Celebration on Saturday, May 17 at 7 p.m. in the Ruth B. Shannon Center for the Performing Arts at Whittier College, 6760 Painter Ave., Whittier, CA 90608. Perla Hernandez, deputy district director for Congresswoman Grace Napolitano and Whittier College alumna (Class of 1996), will be the keynote speaker, and the program will include an Aztec ceremony by the dance group Copali Copili. This event is part of Whittier College's Commencement Week activities and is organized by the Hispanic Student Association (HSA), the Cultural Center and the Martin Ortiz Programs.
About 40 students will don the traditional cap-and-gown and be formally recognized by President Sharon Herzberger. While on stage, students will have the opportunity to direct a few words to family and friends from a podium.
"This ceremony is important because it gives graduates the opportunity to [publically] thank their family and friends who have supported them during their time at Whittier," said Carlos Salazar, president of the HSA.
Salazar, a political science major, is a first generation college student who has had to work 40 hours a week to put himself through college. Salazar says this celebration has a special significance for him.
"Latino students, like myself, understand how important it is to simply have your grandmother, your mom, or your dad come to the graduation. It's difficult for them to even get the time off from work," he said. "In a way, the parents feel just as accomplished as the students."
To encourage the most amount of participation from parents and family members, the event is being held on Saturday night.
Currently, 28 percent of the Whittier College undergraduate student body is Latino. Whittier's retention rate for Latino students exceeds the average for Whittier's student body overall.
Founded by Quakers in 1887, Whittier College is an independent, four-year college offering a traditional liberal arts program integrated with both professional and pre-professional courses of study. With an emphasis on diversity, community, and curricular innovation, the College’s primary mission is to endow students with the education, skills, and values appropriate for global leadership and service. Whittier College is a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI).
Whittier Law School, which is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools, is located on a separate campus in Orange County.
