Merced College graduation is Friday

Merced College graduates are set to celebrate their accomplishments Friday in the school’s stadium.

The community college will award about 1,500 degrees and certificates to students graduating this year. Many of the graduates are expected to participate in Merced College’s 53rd Commencement Exercises at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Stadium ’76/Don Odishoo Field, 3600 M St.

A total of 1,093 degrees and 406 certificates of achievement will be handed out during the ceremony, according to a news release. Eight students will be recognized with the Superintendent Honors award for having completed at least 36 units of study with a 4.0 grade-point average.

Another 113 students are graduating with honors.

Thirteen members of the Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society will graduate with distinction, a news release stated, and 69 students from the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society will do the same.

Merced College’s interim President Susan Walsh is set to introduce the commencement speaker, comedian and motivational speaker Ernie G, who will deliver an address called “Let Your Light Shine.”

Associated Students of Merced College President Cody Camacho will introduce student speaker Fides C. Talania, who is graduating with an associate of arts degrees in international studies, psychology and social and behavioral studies. Talania’s address is titled “Make Your Passion Your Profession.”

The ceremony is set to feature Phi Theta Kappa President Amber Shortlidge, who will announce the Outstanding Professor of the Year Award. A special recognition is also reserved for graduates who are veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.

The traditional processional, “Pomp and Circumstance,” as well as “The Star-Spangled Banner” will be performed by the John Albano Group.

This story was originally published May 22, 2016 at 3:15 PM with the headline "Merced College graduation is Friday."