SALINAS VALLEY — Hartnell Community College District will celebrate the academic achievements of its Class of 2025 during a commencement ceremony on Friday, May 23, at 4 p.m. at Rabobank Stadium, 1034 N. Main St., in Salinas.
The ceremony will include the official conferring of degrees by Michael Gutierrez, superintendent/president of Hartnell Community College District, and is expected to honor over 1,600 students who have petitioned to graduate. This year’s graduating class represents the largest in the college’s 105-year history.
“We have experienced tremendous growth over the last two years, and this year’s graduating class is a reflection of that momentum,” Gutierrez said.
By the numbers: Class of 2025 highlights
All of the following figures represent an increase over last year’s totals:
- Associate Degrees Awarded: 1,700
- College-Level Certificates Awarded: 1,213
- Valedictorians: 49 students earned a perfect 4.0 GPA
- Graduating with Honors: 822 students achieved a GPA between 3.25 and 4.0
The district’s growth is not limited to student numbers alone. In response to increasing enrollment and demand, a major faculty hiring campaign was launched earlier this year to enhance teaching capacity and better serve the community.
“Hiring more faculty means we can support more students, and this year’s graduating class numbers show we are moving in the right direction,” added Gutierrez.
Rabobank Stadium gates will open at 2:30 p.m. Guest seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, and a guest pass will be required for entry. Sign language interpreting services will be provided for guests who are deaf and hard of hearing. For information on accessible parking and seating, guests are encouraged to check in at the front gate for assistance.
To help ensure a meaningful and respectful ceremony for all graduates and attendees, Hartnell College kindly asks guests to follow posted guidelines and instructions.
This year’s commencement ceremony will also be livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube.
For full event details, including answers to frequently asked questions, visit the Commencement Webpage at hartnell.edu.
