Bellevue College Celebrates Commencement

Friends, family and graduates from celebrated commencement on a warm evening on June 15.

More than 2,500 students, dressed in their ceremonial caps and gowns, received bachelor’s or associate degrees, certificates or diplomas. Of those students, 199 were international students, 92 were veterans, 182 participated in running start and 421 students graduated with honors.

The keynote speaker, Shiv Batra, co-founder, CEO and president of INCA Engineers, and a BC Foundation board member, shared what he called his “typical immigrant success story.”

“You all are about to immigrate to a new phase of your life journeys,” said Batra. “The journey will be varied, with surprises and setbacks, with challenges and triumphs, but it will lead to your dreams, just channel the immigrant in you.”

Anh Nguyen, an international student from Vietnam and member of the All-Washington Academic Team, was selected as the student speaker. She took the opportunity to speak directly to her peers.

“We leave, yet the memories, friendship and love we have for each other will stay forever,” she said.