Yuba College graduates celebrate during the 2024-25 Celebration of Graduates ceremony on Friday, May 16, 2025, in Marysville, California. Photo courtesy of Yuba College.


MARYSVILLE, Calif. – Yuba College held its 2024-25 Celebration of Graduates ceremony on May 16, 2025, recognizing the successful completion of degrees, certificates and credentials of nearly 950 graduates.

Yuba College’s graduating class is one of its most diverse to date: nearly half identify as first-generation college students, two-thirds are women and the majority come from communities of color. 

At an average age of 25, this year’s graduates reflect the college’s commitment to serving students of all backgrounds, especially adult learners. 

Thirty-five graduates are veterans or active-duty, national guardsmen or reservists and 20 dependent family members of veterans and servicemembers.

The ceremony kicked off with a welcome from Dr. Jeremy Brown, vice president of instruction, following a presentation of colors from the Beale Air Force Base Honor Guard and the National Anthem, sung by Amira Ralston with piano accompaniment by 2025 graduate Betzaida Lopez.

Commencement speaker Sukhmanpreet Gill earned two associate degrees that day – one in allied health and the other in natural sciences, completing both in just one year while working two jobs. She plans to transfer and earn a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration and a master’s in public health. 

​​“Each of us has taken a different path to arrive at this very same graduation. Today we celebrate one shared truth. We made it,” Gill said in her address. “If I had to define graduation in one word, it would be ‘transformation.’ Graduation isn't just the end of a chapter: It's proof that when courage meets commitment, anything is possible.”

The college also awarded its highest student honor, the Yuba College Medal, to Erika Pomeroy. This prestigious award is given to one student each year who maintains a 4.0 GPA and makes exceptional contributions to the college community.

Pomeroy was a dually enrolled student, earning her associate of arts in social and behavioral sciences from Yuba College while also graduating valedictorian from nearby Sutter Union High School, where she excelled in swimming and other extracurricular activities.

Conferring of the degrees was completed by the Yuba Community College District Board of Trustees President Richard Teagarden, followed by the introduction of candidates and presentation of degrees by English Professor Brian Jukes and Theatre Arts Professor James Gilbreath.

Following the presentation of degrees, Dr. Tawny Dotson, president of Yuba College, welcomed the new alumni.

“It gives me great pride to be the first to welcome you as alumni of Yuba College. I extend to each of you an invitation to join Yuba College alumni and friends to stay connected to our college,” she said. “And please never forget ‘once a 49er, always a 49er.’”