Thousands of individuals gathered at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on Sunday, October 22 for North-West College’s 2017 Fall Commencement Ceremony. In one of the largest events to date, family and friends, Team Members, and Instructors congratulated 424 graduates as they marked the culmination of their career training.
“These individuals before you were brave enough to dream of a brighter future and courageous enough to make that dream a reality,” President Mitchell Fuerst shared. “When you cross the stage today, you’ll join a legacy that’s more than 50 years strong. For more than half a century, our College has trained health care professionals in short-term programs for gainful employment. It all started with my mother, Marsha Fuerst, and her desire to help men and women just like you learn the skills they needed to succeed in the health care field.”
Graduates crossed the stage by program, with individuals representing the College’s Associate of Science in Healthcare Administration, Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, Vocational Nurse, Eyecare Specialist, Massage Therapist, Surgical Technologist, and Pharmacy Technician programs, among others. Each graduate takes part in classroom-based learning along with hands-on training opportunities. In addition, students must complete a clinical externship component, which allows them to further hone their skills in real-world environments prior to graduating. North-West College is known for this training model—a dynamic combination that enables the College to produce graduates who are prepared for the rigors of the health care field.
After a moving rendition of the national anthem by talented vocalist Scott A. People, graduates had the honor of hearing from Keynote Speaker Yesi Ortiz. Often called, “THE QUEEN OF L.A.,” Ortiz is widely known for her role as a radio host on Power 106-FM. In addition to her love for music, Ortiz is also praised for her unwavering commitment to the community.
“The first step to transforming your life into the life you truly want is to take the leap to believe in yourself, and in what you can achieve,” Ortiz shared. “You have worked really hard to get to this day, and it’s all because you believed you could do it. I’ve used the power of belief in my own life, and it has allowed me to reach my goals and build a life that I could have only dreamed of. Believe in yourselves; believe in your success—it’s only just starting.”
To watch the full Commencement Ceremony video, visit facebook.com/northwestcollege. Interested in learning more about North-West College’s programs? Please contact Nancy Aguillon at NancyA@success.edu for more information today!
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