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2006 graduates celebrate

�You�ve come this far�and your education will launch you wherever you want to go or whatever you choose to do.�
� Governor Chris Gregoire, keynote speaker, 2006 Clark College Commencement
 

Commencement 2006 was a landmark event at Clark College. 

For graduates, it was the culmination of work, dreams and hopes -- the affirmation of student success.

    
Clark College mascot Oswald salutes the graduating class of 2006. Director of Student Life Karen Brown congratulates a 2006 graduate.
Above left:  Clark College Mascot Oswald salutes the class of 2006.  Above right:  Director of Student Life Karen Brown congratulates a graduate.
 
For Clark College, it marked the first time in the College's nearly 75-year history that the Governor of Washington State has attended the Clark College Commencement ceremony.  
 
Clark College Trustee Sue Fratt, President R. Wayne Branch, and Governor Chris Gregoire Clark College faculty members smile at graduates as they enter the Clark College Amphitheater for Commencement 2006. 
Above left (left to right):  Clark College Trustee Sue Fratt, President R. Wayne Branch, and Governor Chris Gregoire and (above right) Clark College faculty members smile at graduates as they enter the Clark College Amphitheater for Commencement 2006. 
 
The ceremony, which was held at the Clark College Amphitheater on June 15, featured the Fort Vancouver Pipe Band and the Clark College Women's Choral Ensemble (below right), under the direction of April Duvic. 
 
Clark County amphitheatre stage during commencement 2006 April Duvic conducts the Clark College Women's Choral Ensemble
   
Clark-Vancouver Television (CVTV) provided coverage in the Amphitheatre during commencement and aired the ceremony in the days following so the community could witness the event.
   
Board of Trustees Chair Kim Peery and Governor Chris Gregoire In addressing the Class of 2006, Governor Chris Gregoire (seen in the photo on the left with Board of Trustees Chair Kim Peery) said, �Your education will launch you wherever you want to go or whatever you choose to do.� 
         
Gregoire challenged the graduates to make a difference by �creating a world class education system for all students to succeed, protecting our environment for the next generation and generations not yet born, and building strong communities by giving of oneself.� Governor Gregoire congratulates a 2006 Clark College graduate
  
The Presidential Scholarship Award was created to help a Clark College student take the next step in their education through a full-time, two-year tuition waiver at Washington State University Vancouver. 
    
Dr. R. Wayne Branch, Clark College president, addresses the graduating class of 2006 During the 2006 commencement ceremony, Clark College President R. Wayne Branch announced the 2006-2007 scholarship winner, Pamela M. Sullivan of Vancouver.  Sullivan attended Clark College from 2002-2006, majoring in social science.
     
Governor Gregoire and Presidential Scholarship Winner Pamela Sullivan In her application, Sullivan (seen on the left with Governor Gregoire) wrote, �Higher education is important to me because I have lived a life without it�My husband and I believe that the best teacher is example, so here I am, following my children�s examples, as they are, all three, college graduates.� 

Sullivan hopes to earn her baccalaureate degree and eventually teach paralegal classes at Clark College. 

        
Mariah Acton (below left) and Sarah Craciun (below right), Clark College graduates who are members of the 2006 All-Washington Academic Team, addressed the audience. 
       

Craciun, who, like Acton, was a Running Start student, added, "Being slightly intimated on my first day of class at such a large and diverse school, I decided that in order to succeed in the academic classroom, I must apply myself. I did this, and Clark has given me opportunities I hardly thought possible.
I have become a confident student. I have learned valuable lessons inside and outside the classroom that I will take with me throughout my life."

Mariah Acton and Sarah Craciun, Clark College graduates who are members of the 2006 All-Washington Academic Team, addressed the audience. 
                   
Acton told her fellow graduates, "It is apparent to me that each of us as unique individuals has chosen a path on which we hope to find something greater than ourselves.  For some of us, Clark is but the first step on such a journey, while others may have finally found at Clark what they have sought for so long�whether that be academic success, community involvement, or the appreciation of one�s personal strengths and more importantly, the acceptance of one�s weaknesses.  All of this I have found at Clark College and I hope you have too."
   
During the 2005-2006 academic year, 1136 men and women earned degrees and certificates from Clark College.  Twenty-two Clark College students graduated with highest honors for achieving a 3.9 grade point average (GPA) while completing a two-year program. Graduate smiles
    
Graduates receive flowers  

In addition, 59 Clark students earned their degrees through the Running Start program � graduating from high school and Clark College at the same time.   Two graduated with perfect 4.0 GPAs. 

          
Families videotape the commencement ceremony Graduates cheer and celebrate
     
For nearly 75 years, Clark College has been committed to helping each student achieve his or her dreams.   

That may be the ultimate definition of student success.

Graduates smile



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