Glad to Grad(uate): San Jac celebrates fall 2019 commencement

Jan 30, 2020Courtney Morris

Minute Maid Park rippled with excitement Dec. 13, 2019, as the registrar certified associate degree and certificate candidates. In the stands, family and friends rose to their feet to cheer for 2,688 San Jacinto College graduates ready for the next step.

That moment marked an open door to better workforce opportunities or university transfer for first-generation college students, dual credit students, and many others.

About 1,000 graduates attended the College's fall 2019 commencement ceremony. The graduating class included 160 military veterans and a wide range of ages, with the youngest graduate aged 17 and the oldest 69.

Texas Senator Larry Taylor gave the keynote address.

Wearing black gowns and tasseled mortarboards, students filed across the stage to accept diplomas from Chancellor Dr. Brenda Hellyer, College administrators, and the Board of Trustees.

The fall commencement ceremony also marked the first time for San Jacinto College to use Gowns for Grads. The gown lending program provided 51 students in need with graduation robes for the event.

View more fall 2019 commencement photos.

Did you know?

San Jacinto College awarded 7,654 credentials to graduates from fall 2018 to summer 2019.