Celebrating Clark's 90th Graduating Class

Stories of building better futures, overcoming barriers mark Clark's 2026 commencement

Pictured: Dental Hygiene graduates pose with Oswald

Nearly 700 graduates walked across the stage at the Cascades Amphitheater on the evening of June 18 as family, friends, and members of the Clark community celebrated the college’s 90th graduating class. As they lined up for the processional, some graduates laughed and took selfies. Others were wiping away tears of joy as they thought about this major achievement. Some were pinning their caps, smoothing out their robes, and adjusting their regalia, eager to make this final moment perfect. 

It was indeed perfect. Cheers echoed across the amphitheater as the graduates marched in, and the celebration never stopped. The pride in the room was evident as loved ones whooped and hollered with each grad who walked across the stage. Some students celebrated in a big way, doing jumps or flips after shaking Dr. Edwards’ hand. When the last name had been announced and the tassels had been turned, graduates were greeted outside with more cheers from their families and Clark instructors. 

“Some of you are living a dream you once didn’t dare imagine,” Dr. Edwards said. “College felt like a door for other people, not for you. Some of you were told outright that college wasn’t for you. Well, look at you now ... You didn’t just pursue a dream — you prepared yourself for the future.”  

And we are Penguin Proud of them! 

2026 Commencement Highlights

By the Numbers

• • 2,816 degrees and certificates conferred 
  • 2,417 graduates — up 17% 
  • 1,634 associate degrees awarded 
  • 1,319 of those were direct transfers for students continuing to four-year universities 
  • 1,261 career-technical graduates earned workforce-ready degrees or certifications  
  • 458 Running Start students received both a high school diploma and a college credential 
  • 946 professional certificates earned in a wide range of career-ready disciplines 
  • 126 bachelor’s degrees awarded in applied fields such as Applied Management, Cybersecurity, Dental Hygiene, and Human Services 
  • 80 adult high school diplomas 

Words of Wisdom from the Stage

President Dr. Edwards left the graduates with three final pieces of advice: 

“Hold fast to your dreams ... They are what carried you to this stage, and they will carry you the rest of the way. Do the right thing, even when it’s hard, even when it costs you, even when no one is watching ... And finally, remember that your words carry power. Use them to lift people up, to open doors, and to pour more kindness into a world that needs it.”

Clark College Board of Trustees Chair Marilee Scarbrough highlighted the similarities between Clark graduates and our favorite animal — the penguin — from their ability to endure harsh environments to their understanding of the power of community: 

“As you leave here tonight, remember the Penguin: continue to persevere through difficult seasons, support and receive support from the people around you, and trust your unique strengths. And when the moment comes to step into your next opportunity, have the courage to take the leap, knowing you have Penguin resilience.” 

English professor and faculty speaker Cydney Topping was announced as one of the 2025-26 Exceptional Faculty Award recipients, along with Ariel Albright (Communications), Bruce Elgort (Computer Technology), Mackenzie Loyet (Biology), Don Ludwig (Sociology and Criminal Justice), Breanda Rosencrans (Mathematics), Cydney Topping (English), and Jim Wilkins-Luton (English). Representing Clark faculty, Cydney emphasized the power of saying yes as graduates write the next chapter of their lives: 

“Most people don’t walk confidently through life with a perfectly written manuscript. We are all figuring it out as we go. So don’t worry about the pressure to have a clear plan. What matters most is finding the courage to just say yes, even in the smallest moments. Something wonderful is waiting at the end of each path.”

Student speaker Avreet Kaur Dhami encouraged her fellow graduates with an inspiring message: 

“When life gets hard again, when you feel like giving up, remember the power of hope. Because our hope is what brought us here. The hope that if we worked hard enough and believed in ourselves, we could become something more, no matter the limitations placed on us. Remember that this day, too, was once just a hope.”

Special Student Recognitions

This year’s Community College Presidents’ Scholarship recipient was Camille Villaneuva. When she moved from the Philippines to the United States, she did so at the encouragement of her grandfather, a member of Clark’s Facilities team. He wanted his granddaughter to have a future where anything is possible. It was also her grandfather who first suggested electrical engineering after she showed a talent for math. 

At Clark, Camille navigated the challenges of learning English as her second language as well as beginning her studies in engineering, entering a field where women are often underrepresented. In one of her computer science classes, she was the only woman, and often worried she would be underestimated. But her confidence grew as she excelled academically, earning the highest score in her class on her midterm exam. Through MESA, she connected with other women in STEM and found inspiration to become an advocate for future generations. Outside the classroom, Camille served as an Activities Programming Board events coordinator and volunteered at the Penguin Pantry. She graduated with an Associate of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and will continue her studies at Portland State University. 

Dr. Edwards said, “Inspired by her grandfather, who is hard of hearing, Camille hopes to use engineering to improve the lives of people with disabilities. I am confident that she will use these funds to pursue a meaningful impact on the STEM field and beyond.” 

The two finalists, Alijah Machida and Katherine Tisdale, also received $1,500 each to continue their studies.  

• • Alijah graduated with an Associate of Science degree and will continue his studies in civil engineering at WSU-Pullman.  
  • A Running Start student, Katherine graduated with both her high school diploma and an Associate of Arts degree with a focus on psychology and plans to study at WSU-Vancouver in the fall. 

Funds for this year’s scholarships were generously donated by the Clark College Foundation. 

Student Journeys

Each graduate has their own story on how they got to where they are today and where their journey will take them next.  

It takes a special person to dedicate their career to shaping the minds of young people. Cynthia Garcia knew she wanted to become a teacher because, as a multilingual learner herself, she understands the unique challenges those students face. She loves seeing her students confidently speak Spanish, and she wants to encourage them to continue learning. In addition to the BASTE stole designed to look like a pencil, Cynthia also proudly wore a stole covered in the handwriting of all her students. 

Emmy McGill earned an A.A. and plans to transfer to a four-year university to study both political science and drama — skills she believes will bolster a career in journalism. Donned in regalia that reflects her honors status and her LGBTQ+ identity, she also decorated her cap to look like Markiplier, a famous gaming YouTuber, because she’s “leveled up” by earning her degree. 

At 59-years-old, Rick Vanover returned to school to finish his GED. He works in recovery and was inspired by his boss, who also recently earned her GED. “It was rough and a lot of work, but I pressed on,” he said. Rick credits his instructors and advisors for helping him get to the finish line. 

Alex Frederickson knows what it feels like to face insurmountable obstacles. At 15 years old, Alex lost her mom, and the trajectory of her life changed completely. She realized she would need to build her own future, which is why she added her baby photo to her cap — “Because I did this for me!” Alex graduated with an A.A. and will transfer to Western Washington University to pursue a degree in art education. 

Relive the Excitement

Browse photos from the 2026 Commencement on Flickr or watch the ceremony on YouTube. For more graduation stories, check out Facebook and Instagram @ClarkCollege.

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Story by Malena Goerl, Staff Writer, Communications and Marketing