(PHOENIX, Ariz., April 22, 2005) - On Friday, May 13, City of Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon will address the Phoenix College graduating class of 2005 during this year's commencement ceremony which will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Hoy Field.

Among the more than 600 students receiving degrees, 12 of them will graduate with a 4.0 GPA. They include Alfred Jones Jr., Michelle Baribault, Pauline Brown, Kami Lynn Ellison, Monica Meza, Matthew Pesch, Joshua Crum, Hubert Guntermann, Rumana Islam, Christopher LaCross, Julio Rubio and Patrice Pantin.

Commencement keynote speaker, Phil Gordon was elected as Mayor of Phoenix in September 2003 with extensive experience and involvement in community boards and organizations. He has a solid background in education with experience ranging from teaching to serving on various boards, including the Madison School Board.

Prior to being elected into office, Gordon served as chief of staff to Mayor Skip Rimsza, and was the leader in the movement to revitalize, preserve and redevelop central Phoenix.
Gordon's interest in Phoenix became his incentive to seek public office. Among the numerous boards he has been involved in, Gordon has served as chair of the Men's Anti-Violence Network to fight domestic violence and was named 2003 Man of the Year by the organization.

He attended the University of Arizona and received a bachelor's degree in education. He later graduated cum laude from Arizona State University School of Law.

Additional Commencement Ceremonies at Phoenix College

Wednesday, May 4
Maricopa Council on Black American Affairs (MCBAA) 2005 Convocation and Awards Program - "Witnessing the Legacy"
5:30 p.m. - reception
6:30 - ceremony
Phoenix College Bulpitt Auditorium

MCBAA is one of the special interest employee groups within the Maricopa Community College District. This organization strives to promote academic and professional success for African-American students, administrators, faculty and staff. The Maricopa Council on Black American Affairs (MCBAA) is a sanctioned organization of the Maricopa Community College District (MCCD). MCBAA is a council of the National Council on Black American Affairs (NCBAA), an affiliate organization of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC).

Friday, May 6
19th Annual Hispanic Convocation - Maricopa Association of Chicanos in Higher Education
5 p.m. - reception
6:30 p.m. - ceremony
Phoenix College Bulpitt Auditorium

ACHE provides a forum for the discussion of issues related to the academic success of Latino students in the Maricopa Community Colleges and pursues workable strategies, solutions and resources to achieve this goal. Every year, the ceremony recognizes Hispanic degree, certificate and scholarship recipients of the Maricopa Community Colleges and Skill Centers. The event brings close to 600 guests to Phoenix College to celebrate.

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