PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Welcome to Reedley College’s 98th commencement, recognizing the dedication and hard work of our graduating class of 2026. Commencement is a graduation ceremony that has centuries-old traditions across the history of higher education, such as the regalia that is worn by graduating students, faculty, staff, and administration. The robes, hoods and caps (mortarboard or tam) use size, shape and colors to identify those that have earned an associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree, as well as the institution where their degree was earned. Please see Dr. Jerry L. Buckley the information provided later in this document to President, identify the regalia of our platform party and our Reedley College graduating students. Our students’ journeys to reach today’s commencement are much different than 100 years ago here at Reedley College. Today we offer our students seven different pathways that lead to specific careers, guided by counselors, instructors and other professionals. We also support our students’ basic needs and provide other wrap-around services so that they may focus on their studies and reach their educational goals. It’s also important to note that we have industry partners that contribute to our students’ success each year by participating on our Foundation boards, helping fund improvements to our facilities, or by providing internships and apprenticeships that allow students to translate the theory of our classrooms into practical applications in the workplace. Each of these gifts from our industry partners contribute to our students’ ability to reach their educational goals. Commencement is therefore a moment in time that commemorates change. The change that we celebrate for our students is one that either marks their transition to a career, or a transition to a senior institution, like Fresno State, to continue their education before they pursue their career. Some of these transitions include our dual enrolled high school students, including students that attend our Reedley Middle College High School and the Parlier Early College programs. We therefore recognize and celebrate all our students who have achieved an educational milestone today. To our students - Regardless of your age, academic focus or career choice, each of you have made sacrifices to earn your certificate or degree. Life is not always easy, nor are the responsibilities that come along with those lives, but choosing education is always an important step, whether to improve your understanding of the world around you, increase your appreciation of literature and the arts, or to develop new or improved skills for a job or career. One suggestion… Realize that your education will never really be complete, especially in today’s rapidly changing world with advances in technology such as artificial intelligence. Education has become an opportunity that you use to stay informed and achieve new skills to remain competitive in our worldwide economy. Congratulations to our graduates!
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REEDLEY COLLEGE
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