In celebration of students and their success, graduates of the Class of 2026 walked across the stage at the 112th San Diego City College Commencement Ceremony at Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park on Thursday, May 21.
Among the City College students who walked across the stage smiling and waving to their friends and family was Justin Fraker, a mathematics major transferring to Fresno State University in the fall.
“It’s certainly a really exciting experience,” Fraker said. “I’m looking forward to transferring.”
Fraker was one of 1,330 students eligible to graduate this year, a 31% increase over the previous year. Nearly half of those walked at the ceremony, according to City College.
Students earned 1,594 associate degrees and 414 certificates, and more than 450 will transfer from City to a four-year university.
City also awarded its first bachelor’s degrees to 31 students majoring in cyber defense and analysis, and wearing silver regalia designed by the students in the program at the graduation ceremony.
Can’t see the video? Click here. Transcript is available on YouTube.
City College president Ricky Shabazz recognized Carol “Spirit” Fabian, 85, who earned a certificate in Early Childhood Education. Fabian was the oldest graduate honored at the event.
Associated Students Government President Celina Martinez delivered a message to graduates before receiving a sweatshirt and check toward expenses at UCLA, where she will continue her education in the fall.
“I came from a place where I believed attaining higher education wasn’t meant for me,” Martinez told the crowd of more than 2,000 people. “But deep down, I knew (high school) couldn’t be the closing chapter of my educational story, so I made the choice to pursue opportunities where I could grow and succeed, both inside and outside the classroom. Along the way, I learned how to become my own advocate and my own cheerleader.”
Jennifer Torrez, a City College student majoring in nursing, was excited to walk across the stage as it would highlight her journey in the nursing program.
“It’s a moment where we can kind of relish, take in all of the hard work and the sacrifice that it took to get to this point,” Torrez said. “The road is still long ahead, but we are just here to celebrate every little milestone along the way.”
Multimedia journalists Mari Pliego and Itzel Martinez contributed to this report.
This story was edited by Briana Bush and David J. Bohnet.
