Paralympic Gold Medalist Oz Sanchez to Deliver Commencement Address at Cerritos College

Commencement scheduled for Friday, May 18, 6 p.m.

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FOR IMMEDIATEL RELEASE: May 17, 2018

Commencement Contact: Student Activities Office (562) 860-2451 ext. 2458

Media Contact: Aya Abelon, Public Affairs; 562-653-7878

Oz SanchezWHAT: Cerritos College announced today its 2018 commencement speaker, Oz Sanchez, a Paralympic hand cyclist and triathlete. Oz has the heart of a champion, and his inspirational journey of courage, strength and triumph is expected to leave students with a message of hope. Oz is a former Marine who was in the process of transferring to the Navy to become a Navy SEAL when he was involved in a hit-and-run motorcycle accident that resulted in a spinal cord injury and paralysis. His tenacity and strong will to overcome adversity is remarkable. Oz started competing in cycling and triathlons after his accident and is now a three-time Paralympian (2008, 2012, 2016), and six-time Paralympic medalist (2 gold, 1 silver, 3 bronze). He was featured in the documentary film Unbeaten (2010).

"I realized I can do anything I set my mind to, just as long as I have the passion, the purpose, and the commitment to follow through," said Oz Sanchez.

The College will present associate degrees and skills certificates earned during the 2017-2018 academic year. Nearly 3,500 students will be receiving degrees and certificates, making the largest graduating class in the Cerritos College history. Students graduating and transferring will be transitioning to some of the nation’s top colleges and universities, including UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC Santa Barbara, California State Universities Northridge, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Fullerton, among others.

The ceremony is free, however, each guest will need a ticket to enter the stadium. Please refer to the "TICKET DISTRIBUTION" section on the Commencement webpage for details. No strollers will be admitted into the stadium for the ceremony.

Seating for wheelchair users is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information, contact Disabled Student Program and Services (DSP&S) at (562) 860-2451 ext. 2335.

WHEN: Friday, May 18, 2017 at 6 p.m.

WHERE: Cerritos College
Falcon Stadium
11110 Alondra Blvd.
Norwalk, CA 90650

Campus map: www.cerritos.edu/guide or www.cerritos.edu/google-map

CONTACT: For more information about Cerritos College's 2018 Commencement, please visit www.cerritos.edu/commencement.

PARKING: Parking is free in Lot 10 on Commencement day. The stadium is located on the south side of Alondra Boulevard.

 

About Cerritos College: Cerritos College serves as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County. Communities within the college’s district include Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Norwalk, and portions of Bell Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Santa Fe Springs and South Gate. Cerritos College offers degrees and certificates in more than 180 areas of study in nine divisions. Annually, more than 1,200 students successfully complete their course of studies, and enrollment currently averages 23,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at http://www.cerritos.edu/.

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