(PHOENIX, Ariz., May 2, 2005) - Graduation is a time to reflect on accomplishments and prepare for the future. On Friday, May 13, 2005 at 7:30 p.m., Phoenix College will recognize this semester's graduates during the Spring 2005 graduation ceremony. This year's keynote speaker is PC alumnus and City of Phoenix Mayor, Phil Gordon.

Following in the footsteps of Mayor Gordon are a few PC graduates who worked hard to achieve their goals. By overcoming obstacles, challenging themselves or taking chances, the following PC students are deserving of recognition for their accomplishments and future successes.

Brought Together by Fate to Beat the Odds

The odds were stacked against best friends Lea Gage and Saebra Gilkerson, but with the support of each other they are both completing their education at Phoenix College this year. Growing up in broken homes, and surviving abusive childhoods, fate brought Gage and Gilkerson together to overcome life's obstacles to prove that they can be positive role models for their children.

Both women dropped out of high school to support themselves and family members. Additionally, they are the first in their families to receive a college education. Gage and Gilkerson were actively involved in the Phoenix College community through numerous student life activities. As single mothers with the motivation to overcome life's obstacles and give their children a better life, these women have undoubtedly excelled.

"I am not a mother on welfare that chooses to sit home and do nothing," Gage said, "I'm doing what I know is right for my children and myself. It doesn't matter what the stats are against my success, I can beat them."

Gilkerson wholeheartedly agreed.

"Our families were not ideal, but we didn't let our upbringings shape who we are," said Gilkenson. She advises all of her friends to "never give up."

These women prove to be unstoppable. They already plan to start their own daycare center in Phoenix, as well as a single mother support group at Phoenix College.

Making College History

Brian Fisher and Michael Gatewood are the first students to graduate with an associates degree from the new Surveying Technology Program, which became active in Fall 2003.

Fisher and Gatewood are both well established professionals and have returned to Phoenix College for further education. Fisher is a registered land surveyor and president of Southwest Geomatics, Inc. His education began with the U.S. Navy Construction Force and he has been attending Phoenix College part time for several years. Additionally, he has been in the construction industry for 16 years, spending the last 10 years as a land surveyor.

Like Fisher, Gatewood is also heavily involved in the industry.

He is a certified GIS Professional, and has been in the profession for nearly 20 years. While working as a GIS systems supervisor for the city of Tempe, he also has been attending Phoenix College as a full-time evening student for the past year. Gatewood plans to earn a master's degree in GIS from ASU.

Both men believe in the necessity of real-world surveying education and realize that with the development of modern technologies, higher education is a necessity to being a successful member of the professional community.

Leap of Faith Proves To Be Fruitful

This May, Patrice Pantin of Ahwatukee will address the Phoenix College graduating class as the 2005 valedictorian. With a passion for life and education, Pantin plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in nursing at Johns Hopkins, Georgetown or Grand Canyon University.

Today, many students dream of being in her position. Not only has she excelled to the top of her class, but has also benefited from the rewards of being an active student on campus and was recently accepted into one of the best schools in the nation for nursing: Johns Hopkins University. However, she agrees that her life was drastically different just years ago.

"I was at a point in my life where I felt I should do something for myself," she said. "I was getting turned down for promotions at work because I lacked the 'proper' education; however, I was regularly assigned to train the individuals that received the promotions. It was truly a leap of faith to return to school. I knew that I had to do this because I wanted an alternate ending to my life."

Pantin saw her life moving in the wrong direction. She was in a dead-end job and rarely took time to do things for herself. She spent most of her time working to help support her mother and siblings. When she decided to go back to school and give up her role as a caretaker and provider, she faced a number of uphill battles.

"It took courage to start all over," she said. "However, I must tell you…I rediscovered knowledge that I had forgotten. It was extremely liberating. I learned so much about myself here. To sit in a classroom and voice your own opinions and listen to those opinions completely different from your own is such a wonderful experience…so wonderful, it is difficult to explain."

Pantin encourages other students to "be present and own your experience." She believes that this is the first step to creating a legacy at Phoenix College.

On May 13, she will receive an associate's degree in social work.

Latina's Ambition Leads to Success

Jessica Delgado is the first in her family to earn a college education. She was born in Chihuahua, Mexico and moved to the United States in 1995. She is the oldest of four children in her family, all of whom she plans to help succeed in gaining a college education. She has received her associate's degree in Business and has transferred to ASU.

Though she faced language and cultural barriers, she always had the strength to continue fighting for her goals.

"As a Latina, pursuing an education is double the effort, and I feel that I must work twice as hard to achieve my goals," she said. "Fortunately at Phoenix College, the faculty and staff recognized my potential and helped me succeed."

She plans to graduate from ASU West in two years, and she eventually hopes to earn a master's degree in Business. She would also like to return to PC to take classes to become a math teacher. She aspires to learn sign language in the near future as well.

"Education is a privilege that not everyone has," she added. "I am blessed to have parents that have made sacrifices in order for me to have an education. Education is a treasure that no one can take away."

Jessica's parents were not able to finish their education. Therefore, she believes that it is very important for her to repay their sacrifices with achieving her career goals. Her ultimate goal is to become a business woman and she encourages younger Latinas to succeed.

While attending Phoenix College, she participated in many clubs and organizations including the Business Club, Christian Fellowship Club, Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan (M.E.Ch.A) and Student Activities, Involvement and Leadership (S.A.I.L.), as well as serving as a PC Ambassador.

She offers advice to incoming students.

"Education is the proof of perseverance to become successful."

Sept. 11 Tragedy Forced 2005 Grad to Re-Career

From make-up artist to flight attendant, Rene Chavez is no stranger to change. This May, the honor student will once again embark on a new journey as he prepares for a future career in art history.

For 15 years, Rene was a successful make-up artist in Los Angeles. Although a wonderful career, after 15 years in the industry he was ready for a change. With a little soul-searching, he discovered that he was ready to pursue a career as a flight attendant. The decision was made and he had re-careered and settled in New York City.

He soon realized that there are changes that one can control and then there are changes that one cannot control.

With only 2 ½ years on the job, the Sept. 11 tragedy forced Rene's life to move in another direction. With layoff after layoff, he decided to return to school.

"I started thinking about my situation and realized that although anyone can easily lose his or her job, nobody can ever take one's education away," he said. "So again, I began to think about this new direction and remembered that every vacation I took or every layover I had, I spent my time in an art museum. I've always had a true passion for art, architecture and art history. It just made perfect sense."

Rene also credits having the right instructors to guide him along the way.

"All it takes is the right teacher to see something in you and acknowledge and validate your worth to help you turn that next corner," he added. "It was a special individual at Phoenix College that told me that I would be well-suited for a liberal arts degree. She gave me the road map and I followed it."

Rene is eagerly awaiting to hear back from the list of schools in which he applied: Columbia University, Stanford, Yale, Northwestern, Trinity College and Loyola Marymount. He will graduate with an associate's degree in Liberal Arts.

Student Leader Rediscovers America At Phoenix College

Born in Phoenix, Sat Nam Kaur Khalsa spent seven years studying at Miri Piri Academy in Amritsar, India before arriving at Phoenix College.

“After living in India, I had to readjust,” she said. “Culturally, things like personal interaction and gender expectations were different. These differences at first made me feel shy and uncertain, but through Public Speaking class, I gained confidence, so that I could overcome the cultural barrier and extend a hand of friendship to my peers.”

Phoenix College allowed Sat Nam to become involved in and learn about the things she cares about, such as civic and human rights activism and community education. She soon became a student leader on campus through involvement in a number of activities: PC ambassador, PC Amnesty International Club president, Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society member, Model United Nations delegate, PC Young Democrats founder and vice president, New Voter Project volunteer, and All-Arizona Academic Team scholar.

“I received incredible support and personal attention here,” she added. “Through my involvement, I gained a sense of empowerment through which I have discovered so much about myself.” Talking to local high school students about the importance of continued education in Sat Nam’s role as PC Ambassador was particularly meaningful to her because it gave her the opportunity to share with others the empowerment she gained through her college experience.