The Verde Independent

CLARKDALE - Around 75 to 100 Yavapai College Verde Valley Campus graduates will receive degrees and certificates during the 2012 Commencement Ceremony at 6 p.m. Friday. Nursing graduates will receive their degrees Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Yavapai College Performing Arts Center in Prescott.

Tom Schumacher, Dean of the Verde Valley Campus, said this will be the first commencement ceremony held in the new pavilion on the Clarkdale campus. Another first, according to Schumacher, will be a graduate walking from the college's viticulture program.

"We're doing it a little different this time," Schumacher explained. "I start the program out." He will give the welcome, following the processional with the Mesa Caledonian Pipe Band leading.

That will be followed with The Star Spangled Banner by the Yavapai College Chamber Singers, directed by Christopher Eubank.

Dr. Gino A. Romeo will give the faculty address. Schumacher said that Romeo is the president-elect of the Faculty Association and Senate, and he is a faculty member of the Verde Campus.

"We always try to have a student address," Schumacher said.

This year Sophia Serrano will give the student address. Schumacher said Serrano was named to the All Arizona Academic Team. With that honor, according to Schumacher, Serrano receives a full-tuition scholarship to any of the three state universities in Arizona, along with a cash award. The Arizona Board of Regents selects students for this honor from nominations made by Arizona community colleges.

Dr. Greg Gillespie, vice president for instruction and student services, will make the presentation of the Class of 2012.

Dr. Dale Fitzner, district governing board chair, and Dr. Penelope H. Wills, president of Yavapai College, will perform the conferral of degrees.

Schumacher will then introduce the graduates.

Wills will give the closing remarks.

The Mesa Caledonian Pipe Band will lead the recessional.

Guests are welcome to take photographs of their graduates at the front of the stage.