Graduation season continues with Visalia’s ceremony
More than 200 students from the Visalia, Hanford, Lemoore and Online campuses were on hand Friday, June 9, to claim their associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from Brandman University.
The commencement, organized for those living in California’s Central Valley, was held at the Visalia Convention Center and featured three student speakers: Terese Cardamon, Frank Ghiglia and Cyndy Swift.
The stands were full of family and friends ready to cheer their favorite graduates when they were congratulated by Vice Chancellor Shelly Neal and Assistant Vice Chancellor Patricia Steinhaus Hammer or received their master’s or doctoral hoods from faculty members Isa Ribadu, Lois Zercher Wynne and Alan Enomoto. Also on hand were campus and site directors Sonia Gutierrez-Mendoza and Bethany Matos.
The ceremony included recognition of the Rev. John Jordan and the Visalia Disciples of Christ Church for providing three $2,000-scholarships. Recipients and new graduates Nalea See and Jennifer Knight showed their gratitude with wide smiles as they handed Jordan a plaque.

- Family members gathered around to admire their new graduates.
- The perfect time to take a picture.
- Turning their tassels during the conferral of degrees.
- This youngster discovered the event was being streamed live on Facebook and had to show his family.
- Heads up for a hooding.
- A scene frequently repeated.
- Campus Director Sonia Gutierrez-Mendoza looks on as Disciples of Christ Church’s John Jordan looks toward scholarship recipients Nalea See and Jennifer Marta.
- Faculty members Alan Enomoto, Lois Zercher Wynne and Isa Ribadu.
- A happy master’s candidate on her way into the ceremony.
- A proud youngster looks up to a graduate.
- Families are an oft-cited reason for completing a degree.
- Wearing their dreams.
- Visalia campus Director Sonia Gutierrez-Mendoza; Vice Chancellor Shelly Neal, Assistant Vice Chancellor Patricia Hammer and Hanford/Lemoore Director Bethany Matos were among the Brandman officials participating.
- Patrick Galindo was ready with flowers for his wife Serena. Also on hand were his mother Cynthia Delao and Serena’s parents, Alma and Eliseo Zuniga.
- Faculty member Linda Del Rio lined up for a picture with her “lovelies,” all earning the MFTs.
Additional pictures on Facebook:
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