A Historic Night: Porterville College Celebrates Its 98th Commencement!
History was made on May 15th at Jamison Stadium as Porterville College celebrated its 98th Commencement Ceremony. This year’s graduation marked a massive milestone for the campus, boasting the largest graduating class ever to cross the stage in PC history.
Despite the record-breaking number of graduates, the evening was a masterclass in organization. The entire event clocked in at just over an hour and a half, making it one of—if not the—shortest and most streamlined commencement ceremonies on record!
Families, friends, and faculty enjoyed a swift, seamless celebration that kept the focus exactly where it belonged: on the incredible achievements of our students.
The ceremony kicked off at 7:00 p.m. with a student processional followed by a welcoming address from College President Primavera Monarrez. The night was filled with well-deserved recognition for PC’s top academic achievers.
Dr. Sherie Burgess, Academic Senate President, presented the PC Academic Senate Distinguished Student Awards to an outstanding group of individuals who went above and beyond in academic journeys. The crowd also applauded as we honored Luis Mendoza as the PC Academic Senate Scholar of the Year for 2026.
Words of Resilience and Leadership
One of the most moving highlights of the evening was the commencement address delivered by 2026 Student Keynote Speaker, Enrique Sanchez.
Enrique, a proud Porterville native and father, shared his deeply personal and inspiring journey of overcoming immense hardships—including homelessness and incarceration—to graduate with degrees in Communication and Social Science.
"Enrique's path has been shaped by resilience and determination," President Monarrez noted, echoing the sentiment of inspiration felt across the stadium.
Enrique embodies the very definition of the PC motto, "Start Small. College Big." This fall, he will take the next step in his journey by transferring to Eastern Oregon University.
Enrique isn't alone in moving on to BIG things. A large portion of this historic graduating class is transferring to various four-year institutions across the country or stepping directly into high-demand careers.
We also heard powerful, forward-looking messages from our Associated Students of Porterville College (ASPC) Student Speakers, Isaac Juarez and Lizbeth Ramirez, who reminded their peers of the strength found in the diverse local communities PC serves.
To this historic Class of 2026: You started here, and now you are ready to go BIG! Congratulations, graduates! We're incredibly proud of you.
