Education
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- Written by: Yuba College

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.’”
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- Written by: Bob Jones University
The Dean's List recognizes students who earn a 3.00 to 3.74 grade point average during the semester.
Located in Greenville, South Carolina, Bob Jones University provides an accredited Christian liberal arts education purposely designed to inspire a lifelong pursuit of learning, loving and leading.
BJU offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs in religion, education, fine arts and communication, arts and science, health professions and business.
BJU has over 3,000 students from nearly every state and more than 40 countries. The school is committed to the truth of Scripture and to pursuing excellence in all we do.
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- Written by: Mediacom
The $1,000 scholarship recognizes the local students for excellence in leadership and academics.
“Mediacom understands the importance of investing in future leaders like Katie and Fidel,” said Mediacom’s Area Operations Director Tim Brown. “I’m proud that our company annually commits financial support to talented local students with the Mediacom World Class Scholarship Program. We congratulate all Class of ’25 graduates, and particularly celebrate Katie and Fidel for their outstanding achievements so far.”
“Our corporate philosophy goes beyond achieving business success. We are deeply committed to fostering the potential of young minds, recognizing that investments in student development help lay the foundation for a brighter and more promising future for all," said Tapan Dandnaik, Mediacom's SVP of Operations, Product Strategy, and Consumer Experience.
This year marks the 24th consecutive year Mediacom has funded World Class Scholarships for students who live in areas where the Company delivers high-speed broadband services.
Each year, Mediacom selects 60 graduating seniors who each receive scholarships to support their post-secondary education.
Upon receiving the scholarship, recipients must attend an accredited two-year or four-year college, university or technical school within the United States.
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- Written by: Southern New Hampshire University
The spring terms run from January to May.
Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term are named to the President's List.
Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.
Among the students named to the list are several from Lake County:
• Kyle Henning of Hidden Valley Lake;
• Magdalena Rodriguez of Hidden Valley Lake;
• Sophie Smith of Hidden Valley Lake;
• Marissa Shaffer of Lucerne;
• Jessica Anglen of Lower Lake.
Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with a 92-year history of educating traditional-aged students and working adults.
Now serving more than 200,000 learners worldwide, SNHU offers approximately 200 undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, available online and on its 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH.
Recognized as one of the "Most Innovative" regional universities by U.S. News & World Report and one of the fastest-growing universities in the country, SNHU is committed to expanding access to high quality, affordable pathways that meet the needs of each learner.
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