More than 1,600 graduates honored at Clark College graduation

Clark College held its 87th annual commencement ceremony Thursday evening at the RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater, celebrating 1,601 graduates receiving bachelor’s or associate degrees, program certificates and high school diplomas. More than 500 students took place in the in-person ceremony.

Clark President Karin Edwards and other school leaders shared speeches congratulating the class — yet another cohort of graduates forced to navigate the confusion of education amid the COVID-19 pandemic — and took time to honor a handful of students and staff who stood out in various departments.

Much to her surprise, graduate Sonia Talero-Pachon received the 2022-2023 Community College Presidents’ Award, an honor given to a Clark College graduate that demonstrates leadership potential, a commitment to community service, and academic achievement.

The award, which comes in honor of late 49th District Rep. Val Ogden, is given each year to a Clark student moving on to Washington State University Vancouver.

Talero-Pachon, a first-generation student and peer mentor in the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, is known on campus for working with students in various cultural contexts, fostering connectivity, and embracing inclusivity.

Among all 1,601 students, Clark awarded a total of 1,833 degrees and certificates. Also, 1,100 students earned direct transfer associate’s degrees to continue their education at another university. The school also awarded 450 Running Start certificates to local high school graduates.