To All Graduates and Guests

I wish to join all of the faculty, staff and administrators to congratulate all of those who will receive their degrees tonight. However, I also wish to congratulate all of those who have made it possible for our graduates to be able to make that proud walk across the stage.

A classic poem reminds us that “No Man Is An Island.” Tonight we will see that statement become reality. Our graduates represent the hard work and sacrifices of family and friends who stood by them and made this achievement possible. I have heard from many students about how they were encouraged to continue to pursue their educational dreams by loyal family members. I salute these individuals tonight for their efforts. Their efforts will be rewarded when that loved one receives their degree during our ceremony.

For our graduates, I want to remind you that tonight you join a long list of distinguished community members who have attended East Los Angeles College. Our alumni have used their education to prepare themselves for better careers, transfer to universities and to improve their lives. ELAC alumni have become doctors, lawyers, politicians, artists, writers, business people, and professors. No matter where their career paths took them, they realized they could start at ELAC, and go anywhere. We hope that wherever you go that you will remember how you were able to grow at East and how a caring and nurturing faculty brought out the best of your academic abilities. And, we hope that you will become part of the ELAC family and return to our campus frequently.

When you do return, you will see a completely new campus. During your time here at East you have seen just the beginning of the many new projects that will change and update the campus. Part of the power for our ceremony tonight is being supplied by our own solar energy plant. When your colleagues follow you to the graduation platform next year, we hope to have our student services building and the multi-level parking structure completed. They will also see significant progress on our Fine and Performing Arts Complex. And, there are many other projects that should be underway by then. All of this change can be attributed to the generosity of those in our community through the passage of Propositions A and AA.
Tonight is not the end of your relationship with ELAC but
rather a new beginning as we celebrate your potential. I invite you to
return often, share your achievements with us, and join the ranks of
ELAC graduates who support the college and contribute to the future of our community.

Sincerely,

Ernest H. Moreno,
President