174 to graduate from Lake Tahoe Community College June 24

The commumity is invited to the Lake Tahoe Community College's Class of 2016 commencement on Friday, June 24 at South Tahoe Middle Schoolat 6:00 p.m. 174 students are graduating, 40 with honors, eight with highest honores, 36 with departmental certificates and 61 with a transfer degree that guarantees them a seat in a California State University this fall.

The theme of graduation this year is based on a William Arthur Ward quote: "If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it."

During the ceremony, former video game CEO Jeff Braun will receive the 2016 Distinguished Alumni Award from the LTCC Foundation. Braun is a 1978 LTCC graduate who leveraged his AA degree in Natural Science and Math into a successful career as CEO of Maxim, the company that produced the mega-hit computer game, The Sims. Braun was a student when the college’s campus was still located in a converted motel on Highway 50. He served as student trustee on the college’s Board of Trustees when it voted to approve the purchase of land on Al Tahoe Blvd., where LTCC’s current campus is located. After graduating, Braun launched a series of entrepreneurial efforts before co-founding Maxim in 1988. He retired from the company and the video game business in 2000. He’s now an avid backpacker who enjoys exploring the Sierra Nevadas. He hiked the John Muir Trail in 2012, the High Sierra Trail in 2013, and now plans to hike the entire Sierra High Route on his next venture.

The change in venue from LTCC to the STMS Multi-purpose room is due to ongoing construction on LTCC’s campus. No tickets are required to attend, and community members as well as students and family members are welcome. A free reception with light refreshments will be served following the ceremony.

Executive Dean of Student and Support Services Dr. Sue Gochis, whose office is charged with orchestrating the commencement ceremony, said, “Graduation is the absolute best day of the year for me personally. It is thoroughly rewarding to see our students finish their LTCC academic journeys. I’m honored to be celebrating this amazing achievement along with them, and I’m looking forward to offering a hearty congratulations to our Class of 2016 Coyote graduates!”
The keynote address at the ceremony will be delivered by Dr. Helen Benjamin, chancellor of the three-school Contra Costa Community College District in the East Bay since 2005. She started in the district in 1990 as dean of language arts, humanistic studies, and related occupations at Los Medanos College. Since then, Dr. Benjamin has held progressively higher-level positions, including District vice chancellor, interim president of Los Medanos, and president of Contra Costa College. At the state level, Dr. Benjamin serves as past chair of the California Community College League Board of Directors. At the national level, she is a member of the Presidents' Round Table, an affiliate organization of the National Council on Black American Affairs, and is a member of President Obama's Commission on the Future. Dr. Benjamin has a BS in English and Spanish from Bishop College in Texas. She earned her master's and doctoral degrees from Texas Woman's University in Denton.

Several LTCC students will also speak at the ceremony. Antonio Benitez, who is transferring to UC Berkeley, Gizeh Martinez, who is transferring to UNR, Grant Swift, and Maria Valenzuela will all take the podium to talk about the importance of education and having the courage to push yourself to meet your personal dreams.

LTCC Academic Senate President Sara Pierce will also present the Teacher of the Year Award for 2015/16 during the ceremony. This award, sponsored by the LTCC Foundation, is given to the faculty member who best exemplifies a commitment to student learning as determined by LTCC’s student body. The winner receives a $1,000 award, half of which goes to support the faculty member’s academic department.

For more information about the commencement ceremony, parking, and other general questions, please visit the college’s website at www.ltcc.edu.