Darleene Barrientos
Glendale Community College will give honorary degrees for the first
time to three community leaders at the college's 78th annual
graduation ceremony on June 4.
Honorary degrees will be issued to State Sen. Jack Scott, Glendale
Unified School District Board President Mary Boger and Charles "Tye"
Veden, one of the founding members of the college's foundation and
Sports Hall of Fame. Scott will also serve as the commencement
speaker.
"I've always wanted to give honorary degrees," President Supt.
John Davitt said. "I just haven't implemented it until now. When I
found out community colleges can give honorary degrees too, we
decided to start to do it. Our motivation is to recognize people who
contribute to the college."
Scott, former president of Pasadena City College, established
himself as an advocate for community colleges when he was first
elected to the Legislature, not only benefiting Glendale, but the
entire system, Davitt said.
Veden is also an alumnus of the college and a member of the
college's tennis Vaquero Club.
Boger co-chaired the "Yes on G" committee to approve Measure G,
the $98-million bond measure to renovate and modernize the campus.
She has also served the community with her involvement at the
Glendale YWCA, the Glendale Symphony Orchestra Assn., the National
Charity League of Glendale and Glendale Healthy Kids.
"We just discussed it and decided to start with these three,"
Davitt said. "If we spend too much time worrying about who to pick,
we won't pick anyone."
Each of the honorees will receive a certificate, the accompanying
resolution and a specially designed graduation stole for honorary
degrees.
While there will be three this year, board President Anita
Gabrielian thinks the college will slow down in the number of
honorary degrees after beginning the tradition.
"I think it was the pent-up demand," Gabrielian said. "It's the
first year, and there's so many deserving community supporters and
community leaders. I don't think there will be as many in future
years."
But being honored and being one of the first three is a thrill,
Boger said.
"I didn't expect it -- I couldn't have been more surprised," Boger
said.
