Hancock Celebrates 2021 Transfer Grads With Drive-Through Ceremony
MAY 20, 2021 -- Allan Hancock College’s University Transfer Center (UTC) honored its 2021 transferring graduates and with a unique drive-through celebration ceremony on May 20.
In lieu of the UTC’s in-person Transfer Stars celebration ceremony, hundreds of graduates slated to transfer to a four-year university following their graduation from Hancock were invited to drive onto the college’s Santa Maria campus to celebrate their achievement.
The students and their families drove onto the campus and outside the Marian Theatre while college staff cheered them on.
Hancock transfers an estimated 300-500 students to universities each year, with many choosing to continue their education at public and private four-colleges both in and out of state. This year, the college once again maintained the highest acceptance rate to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, with a total of 62 percent of Hancock applicants gaining acceptance to the university.
In addition to celebrating its transfer graduates, the college also hosted a similar drive-through celebration on the same day for more than 100 graduates from Hancock’s EOPS/CARE/NextUp & CalWORKs, College Achievement Now (CAN)-TRIO, Puente and Men’s Support Group programs. The programs provide important support and services for various student groups including first-generation college students, students in foster care, single-parent students and others.
“All of these students worked incredibly hard during a very challenging year to complete their education at Hancock and they all deserve recognition for that accomplishment,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “Thanks to the support from UTC and the college’s other programs, these students are set up for success as they prepare for the next chapter of their lives.”
This year marks the college’s 100th graduating class. Hancock will hold its 2021 commencement ceremony on May 21 in a similar drive-through fashion. More than 500 students, including those who participated in the May 20 recognition ceremonies, are expected to walk across the stage. The commencement ceremony will also be streamed live at www.hancockcollege.edu/graduation.
- AHC -
Photo Caption: AHC recognized transfer graduates and other student groups during a May 20 pre-graduation event.
