Mesa Community College hosts 2024 commencement and welcome First Lady
Mesa Community College held it’s 2024 graduation ceremony at the Desert Financial Arena in Tempe on Saturday morning.
The guest speaker for the event is First Lady Jill Biden, along with attendance with by State-Rep Lorena Austin and Governing Board President Susan Bitter Smith, and MCCD Chancellor Steven Gonzales.
Here’s what to know about the big day for MCC students.
Heavy security from fed and state — 6:30 a.m.
Law enforcement from the Secret Service, TSA and local police were sweeping the building ahead of arrival of students and family at 8 a.m., and the president who was expected to arrive at 9 a.m.
Press and staff are let into the arena — 6:45 a.m.
Press has been let in and staff are actively engaged in reharsal of sound, and lights and captioning for jumbotron.
Family begins to enter the arena — 7:30 a.m.
Family, friends and supporters of the 2024 graduates begun to enter the arena about 30 minutes before doors officially opened, the middle aisle seats filling with anxious excitement.
Students enter the arena — 7:40 a.m.
Student begun to enter the arena dressed in their royal blue gown and red tassel marking their big day.
Lower bowl of the arena is almost full — 8:15 a.m.
Students begun to fill about half of the arena floor, creating a sea of royal blue gowns that would make up a total of 540 students expected to cross the graduation stage, diploma in hand.
Reports circulated around the arena the First Lady Jill Biden would give her speech and make a quick exit from the area.
Faculty escort in the last remaining graduates — 8:42 a.m.
MCC faculty showed the the final few groups of students to the arena floor, with an empty seat becoming a different sight to find.
Family and friends screaming in joy when they first set eyes on their graduate ready to celebrate, all while pop music blasted from the the arena speakers.
Faculty, staff and officials processional begins — 9:10 a.m.
MCC staff, faculty and professors who supported their students through academic endeavors entered the arena to traditional graduation music played over the loud speakers.
College adminstration including Vice President of Student Affairs Jeannetta Hollins, and Interm President Kimberly Britt, who addressed the student at 9:15 a.m.
National anthem, land acknowledgement and welcomes — 9:20 a.m.
MCC Adara Knelange sung the national anthem to officially start the commencement.
Leora Smith, President of MCCCD United Tribal Employees Council, along with Miss Native MCC, Kandence Sayles, and Miss Native MCC First Attendant Kaitlyn Yazzie, made the audience aware that MCC and the Desert Financial Arena were on the indigenous homeland of Native Americans.
Britt then took the time to welcome the ceremony’s platform party, a group of college administrators to include Mesa Mayor John Giles, and MCCCD Chancellor Steven Gonzalez, and District 19 State-Rep Lorena Austin.
Britt also acknowledged local politicians from the state and city level in attendance amongst the stands with family and friends of graduates.
Britt called for students who were unable to attend a graduation due to the coronavirus pandemic to stand, with around half of graduates rising from their seats.
The interim president told the graduate that even though she was now a community college leader, she didn’t always see the success a college education could offer her.
“In college I had a coach that changed my life, even though a college guidance counselor said college wasn’t for me….never crouch and hide, always lean on others to support… always dream big,” Britt told the audience.
Britt introduced First Lady Jill Biden to the stage — 9:38 a.m.
The First Lady took the stage from the back of the stage, entering the platform party with applauses from the audience who offered nothing but excitement and support for her arrival.
Biden started her speech but reflecting on the diffucullty a college career can bring.
“‘You shouldn’t go to college’ that is what my high schools counselor told me, I was crushed,” said Biden, reflecting that despite this negative motivation to start her college education, she has managed to receive three degrees and work full time, now as the First Lady of the United States.
But despite all odds, Biden made herself a living example that success in college meant resilience.
“I really wanted to call that damn guidance counselor to tell him I got my doctorate,” she said of when she received her degree.
“Being your first lady is the honor of my lifetime, in honor of President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and the First Gentleman, congrats class of 2024, we are so proud of you,” said Biden.
First Lady champions free community college — 9:43 a.m.
“Community colleges in America should be free,” proclaimed Biden over the loudspeakers, referencing MCC’s partnership with the city of Mesa to bring a free college education to qualified residents.
First Lady leaves the stage — 9:46 a.m.
After proclaiming that MCC students could face any challenge after the successes they earned at the college, Biden thanked those in attendance, and quickly exited the stage.
The heavy presence of Secret Service and law enforcement in business suits mellowed following the First Lady’s departure, leaving behind event security and MCCCD police officers.
MCC graduate and State Rep. depicts success story –9:47 a.m.
District 19 State-Rep Lorena Austin took the stage to share her success story as MCC alumni.
“I was a 5 time college dropout and came back after 10 years. Mesa Community College gave me a second chance,” said Austin
Austin shared her personal story, further encouraging students to understand that accomplishment that is being celebrated.
Student ceremoniously move cap’s tassel — 9:57 a.m.
Britt asked students to make the move to celebrate that students were officially graduated.
Graduates take the stage to receive their degree — 10 a.m.
The first students to graduate in 2024 took the stage to take pose for a photo with the new degree, stopping to shake the hand of Interim President Britt before exiting the stage.
Amongst some of the first students to graduate was Lilly Hernandez, a Mesa College Promise student who studied free for a construction management, and was also in attendance when the First Lady visited MCC’s Southern and Dobson campus in Feb. 2023.
Graduates entered the stage in a single file line, taking the stage one-by-one to the applause and cheers of supporters in the crowd.
Final row of students head to the stage — 10:54 a.m.
MCC professors and staff on the arena floor guided students to the stage with proud smiles, signaling the last group of students to take the stage as over 500 graduates were celebrated at the ceremony.
The last student is awarded their degree — 11:07 a.m.
The last MCC student to be awarded their degree crossed the stage as Interim Britt returned to the stage to wish the new graduates well.
“It has been an absolute honor to support you on your educational pathway. As you embark on the next chapter of your life, remember that the journey is just as important as the destination,” said Britt.
The crowed roared, feet stomped and hands clapped as students watched faculty and staff exit the arena.
The Mesa Legend’s Adam Terro, Diego Esquivel, and Rey Covarrubias Jr., contributed to this article.
