Schools

Bellevue College 2013 Class Graduates 578 from Bellevue

More than 2,600 awards were granted last week at Bellevue College's commencement ceremony, held off campus for the first time at KeyArena in Seattle, according to a press release issued by the college.

More than 2,600 awards were granted last week at Bellevue College's commencement ceremony, held off campus for the first time at KeyArena in Seattle, according to a press release issued by the college.

The class included 578 from the Bellevue area, which was the largest share of any city in the region, according to the college press release.

More than 4,500 people were in attendance, which is a significant increase over last year, according to the college.

“This day was all about our graduates, and we wanted them to be able to share this important milestone with as many family members and friends as possible,” said Bellevue College David L. Rule, the press release quoted. “Holding commencement in KeyArena allowed us to have a ceremony that was as inclusive as possible.Bellevue College has grown a lot in recent years, and we’re graduating more students every year, so it was time to move the ceremony from our campus gym to a larger venue.”

In all, the college awarded 2,609 bachelor’s and associate degrees, certificates and diplomas to 2,481 students.

“We’re tremendously proud of our graduates. The hard work and dedication they have poured into their studies will pay dividends long into the future,” Dr. Rule added.

The ceremony included a speech by graduate Safae Zniber, an international student from Morocco who will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design, one of 55 bachelor’s degree grads this year.

Jack Surendranath, an instructor and former dean of the Science Division who has been with Bellevue College since 1975, spoke on behalf of the faculty, and Dr. Rule delivered the keynote address.

By the numbers

Age of youngest graduate: 15-years-old

Age of oldest graduate: 65-years-old

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Average age: 26-years-old 

Number of students graduating with high distinction (3.75 GPA or higher): 436

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Number of students graduating with distinction (3.5 to 3.74 GPA): 410

Number of students with a perfect 4.0 GPA: 38

More photos of the event are on the college’s Flickr site: www.flickr.com/bellevuecollege.


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