After five days of gloomy rain and wind, the skies cleared in time for Green River Community College’s 43^rd Annual Commencement ceremony at the White River Amphitheatre on Thursday, June 12.

It was the first time in college history that the graduation celebration took place off campus. A 70-degree afternoon and beautiful evening added to the enjoyment of the ceremony at the amphitheatre, which is an open-air facility covered only by a roof.

Honorary Marshal Sylvia Mantilla led more than 370 students and 90 faculty and staff in the processional. The number of guests in attendance was estimated at 2,200, which is larger than previous ceremonies held on campus.

For a collection of graduation photos taken by Green River’s Julie Spiers, click here.

Graduating sophomore and University of Washington Next Step Scholar Angelica Gonzalez was named recipient of the 2008 President’s Award, the highest award given to a student. Gonzalez was also a member of Green River Community College’s All-Washington Academic Team.

Sixty-four students received Scholastic Awards for graduating with a 3.90 or higher grade point average. Ten of the college’s 11 instructional divisions honored a student with a Division Award. Recipients included: Jennifer Wise (Business); Amanda Beth Melheim (English); Stephanie Wetherbee (Fine Arts); Michelle Frieg (Health Science); Corrina Dirks (Humanities); Son Minh Pham (Mathematics); Blanche Dy (Science); Elizabeth Dunphy (Social Science); Nels Parvi (Technology); and Glen Yamanaka (Trades).

Other student award winners included: Diversity Award – Marco Becerra Nunez; International Award – Nhat Thi Duy Nguyen; Running Start – Shauna Stadnik; Leadership – Khoi Phu Pham and Shauna Stadnik; and Service – Corry Vian Rosita, Justin Gullingsrud, and Nhat Thi Duy Nguyen.

Dr. Marianne Jacobs and Roger Knutsen were awarded the 2008 Green River Community College Foundation Distinguished Faculty Awards and Andy Anderson received the 2008 Puget Sound Energy Foundation Distinguished Faculty Award.

Green River Community College would like to thank Live Nation, in particular Bolin Keck and Matt Lamb, for making this event at the White River Amphitheatre possible.