Greetings, Valley College!

Happy Nurses Day!

Our Centennial Commencement is finally here!

Let’s finish the year strong and celebrate with our students and their loved ones this Saturday.

Some highlights for this week:

 

VALLEY COLLEGE IS GROWING

Institutional milestones, programs, enrollment, and strategic progress

1. CENTENNIAL COMMENCEMENT 2026 — SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2026 | SBVC STADIUM | 6:00 PM

▶  SBCCD Goals: 1, 2, 3, 4   |   SBVC Priorities: All four SBVC priorities   |   Guiding Principle: Advancing Community

 Saturday is the culmination of 100 years of educational excellence. The Class of 2026 crosses the stage at the same institution founded in 1926, and those graduates carry our legacy into our next century.

 A total of 1,584 students are graduating with degrees and certificates — an increase of more than 25% over the last academic year. The percentage of first-generation, veteran, foster, Black, Hispanic, Pacific Islander/Hawaiian Native, and multiracial students and students with disabilities also increased. This reflects our commitment to serve the top 100 percent of students in our region and eliminate barriers to access and success.

 Our keynote speaker is California State Senator and SBVC Distinguished Alumna Eloise Gómez Reyes, Class of ’76. Don’t miss her remarks and the closing centennial drone show. Details about the ceremony, parking, and where to watch the livestream are available at www.valleycollege.edu/commencement.

 

2. SPRING 2026 NURSING PINNING CEREMONY — WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2026 | GREEK THEATRE | 6:00 PM

▶  SBCCD Goals: 1, 3   |   SBVC Priorities: Career & Transfer, Opportunities for All   |   Guiding Principle: Advancing Community

 On Wednesday, our nursing graduates will be pinned as they enter a profession this region desperately needs. They are positioned to meet the health care needs of our community — nearly 90% of SBVC nursing graduates stay here. Congratulations to them and thanks to Director of Nursing Yolanda Simental, program co-chairs Reshmi Kappattil and Angie Vogel, and their team for training the next generation of nurses for our community.

 

3. PHARMACY TECHNOLOGY GRADUATION — THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026 | SBVC AUDITORIUM

▶  SBCCD Goals: 1, 3   |   SBVC Priorities: Career & Transfer, Opportunities for All   |   Guiding Principle: Advancing Community

 Thursday is our Pharmacy Technology ceremony! These graduates are entering a health care workforce in need of their excellent training. Congratulations to them and thanks to faculty chair Doris Ontiveros and the entire team for their hard work preparing these students for their careers.  This year, VPI Leticia Hector will provide a welcome for this special recognition ceremony.

 

4. PRESIDENT'S CHOICE AWARD AND STUDENT ART EXHIBIT — TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2026 | GRESHAM ART GALLERY | 3:00–7:00 PM

▶  SBCCD Goals: 2, 3   |   SBVC Priorities: Boldly Student Centered, Career & Transfer   |   Guiding Principle: Advancing Community

 This week, I chose the winner of the President's Choice Award at Gresham Art Gallery, a celebration of student artistic achievement and the college's commitment to the arts in our centennial year. The winner was awarded $500. The student art exhibition is open 3:00–7:00 PM Tuesday; the awards reception begins at 5:00 PM in Art 144. In our centennial year, student creative work carries extra resonance. I hope you can drop by and see our students' artistic talent!

 

5. 2026 SCHOLARSHIP CEREMONY — THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2026 | SBVC AUDITORIUM

▶  SBCCD Goals: 1, 4   |   SBVC Priorities: Opportunities for All, Boldly Student Centered   |   Guiding Principle: Advancing Community

 Last Thursday was another epic centennial milestone event thanks to our SBVC Foundation team. A record $882,000+ in scholarships was awarded to 625 students in 2025–26. As if that weren't enough, the Foundation raised an additional $20,000 in student support. A meaningful reception preceded the ceremony to thank the many donors who support our students' success. Thanks to executive director Mike Layne and his team: Eve Mulhall, Lacee Domon, Phylicia Sanchez, Raina Okray, and the Foundation board for their hard work year-round! 

 

OUR STUDENTS ARE SUCCEEDING

Programs removing barriers, measurable outcomes, and high-impact student stories

6. COMMENCEMENT SEASON RECAP — TWO WEEKS OF HONORING EVERY COMMUNITY

▶  SBCCD Goals: 1, 2   |   SBVC Priorities: Opportunities for All, Career & Transfer, Boldly Student Centered   |   Guiding Principle: Advancing Community

 In the last two weeks, we held many graduation celebrations because we honor each community we serve as we head into our next century.

We held Monarch (first-ever), Lavender, STEM-MESA, Puente, Island, APIA, Aeronautics/Career Runway, and Black Grad ceremonies and Nuestra Graduación, and I attended the National Black Grads event at CSUSB. The percentage of first-generation, veteran, foster, Black, Hispanic, Pacific Islander/Hawaiian Native, and multiracial students and students with disabilities graduating increased this year! We are proud to serve each student and recognize their identities, living out our commitment to be a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist institution.

 

7. UMOJA-TUMAINI ANNUAL NAMING CEREMONY — WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2026 | B-100 | 3:00 PM

▶  SBCCD Goals: 1, 2   |   SBVC Priorities: Opportunities for All, Boldly Student Centered   |   Guiding Principle: Advancing Community

 Umoja-Tumaini, our program supporting Black student success and belonging, is holding its Naming Ceremony on Wednesday. We are proud to host this ceremony as a Black-Serving Institution!

The Naming Ceremony is a special end-of-year celebration rooted in African tradition, where Umoja-Tumaini scholars are honored with African names. It is the community's way of saying Sawubona (sah-woo-BOH-nah) — "I see you" — a powerful declaration rooted in the Ubuntu philosophy that reminds us: I am because we are, and because we are, I am. The village is acknowledging and calling the scholars into their highest self.

Thanks to all our Umoja-Tumaini faculty and staff for their work every day supporting student excellence!

 

8. VALLEY COLLEGE WIND ENSEMBLE CONCERT: A CENTURY OF LEGENDS — MONDAY, MAY 11, 2026 | SBVC AUDITORIUM

▶  SBCCD Goals: 1, 2   |   SBVC Priorities: Career & Transfer, Boldly Student Centered   |   Guiding Principle: Advancing Community

 Our Wind Ensemble closed the academic year with a concert celebrating our centennial, "A Century of Legends." Performed alongside the Pacific High School Varsity Band, the concert honored 100 years of history, community, and student achievement through music. A highlight of the evening was the world premiere of a new arrangement of our Alma Mater in tribute to our legacy and future. The music for the Alma Mater was composed by Hall of Fame alumna Dorothy Inghram.

Kudos to music co-chairs Melinda Fogle and Jessica Gordon and band director Shelly Mahpar for the excellence of our music program and for strengthening ties with future Valley College students through music.  It was a real treat to meet Maggie Worsley from the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra who participated in a cameo role.  Welcome home, Maggie.

 

BUILDING COMMUNITY TOGETHER

Partnerships, K-12 pipeline, and civic leadership in the region

9. MIDDLE COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR LUNCHEON — TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2026 | B-100

▶  SBCCD Goals: 1, 3   |   SBVC Priorities: Career & Transfer, Opportunities for All   |   Guiding Principle: Advancing Community

 Middle College High School seniors are celebrating at Valley College ahead of their own high school graduation. Our partnership with Middle College is a major pathway for high schoolers taking college classes to succeed in their educational journey.

 

10. 48TH ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP BREAKFAST BALL — SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2026 | DOUBLETREE BY HILTON ONTARIO AIRPORT

▶  SBCCD Goals: 3   |   SBVC Priorities: Career & Transfer, Opportunities for All   |   Guiding Principle: Advancing Community

 On Saturday, my wife Kathleen and I attended the annual Scholarship Breakfast Ball in Ontario. This event supports scholarships awarded by the San Bernardino Valley Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, to high school seniors from San Bernardino and Riverside counties who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to service. The chapter has distributed more than $900,000 in scholarships. We are grateful for the chapter's longtime support of students in the Inland Empire!  It was a treat to see Vice Chancellor Kristina Hannon, Keynasia Buffong, and Trustee Joseph Williams.

 

11. BLACK GRADUATION RECOGNITION — SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2026 | CSUSB

▶  SBCCD Goals: 1, 2   |   SBVC Priorities: Boldly Student Centered, Opportunities for All   |   Guiding Principle: Advancing Community

 Vice President of Student Services Yvonne Gutierrez-Sandoval and Dr. Jesse Neimeyer-Romero represented Valley College at the Black Graduation Recognition Saturday at Cal State San Bernardino, where Trustee Dr. Cherina Betters delivered an engaging keynote address. We are grateful for our close partnership in educational excellence with CSUSB and are proud to be a Black-Serving Institution. 

 

RECOGNITION & REPUTATION 

External awards and validations tied to institutional and district excellence 

12. SIX WOLVERINE TRACK & FIELD ATHLETES COMPETING IN STATE FINALS — FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, MAY 15–16, 2026 | MT. SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE

▶  SBCCD Goals: 1   |   SBVC Priorities: Opportunities for All   |   Guiding Principle: Advancing Community

 Six Valley College athletes are participating in the 3C2A Track and Field State Championships this Friday and Saturday at Mt. San Antonio College, after the Southern California Finals on May 9, 2026 at Bakersfield College.

Long-distance runners Zach Calderon and Savannah Flores each qualified in the 10,000 meters. Also advancing:

Micah Watson in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, after a second-place finish with a time of 9:36.37 at the Regional Final; Jordan Carter in the triple jump, finishing sixth with a personal-best jump of 47 feet, 3 inches; Tamia Hardwick in the long jump, finishing third with a jump of 18 feet, 4.5 inches; and Callie Frias in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, dropping five seconds off her personal best to finish fifth in a time of 12:18.82.

A huge round of applause for these athletes and their coaches, Jim Ratigan and Kenneth Lawler, for their hard work and pursuit of excellence. Go Wolverines! 

 

ON CAMPUS THIS WEEK

Events, performances, and announcements from across the college

13. STUDENT EQUITY RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM — TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2026 | B-100 | 3:00 PM

▶  SBCCD Goals: 1, 2   |   SBVC Priorities: Boldly Student Centered, Opportunities for All   |   Guiding Principle: Advancing Community

 The campus community is invited to hear the latest research on the Valley College student experience, directly from student research teams. Join a discussion of the findings and recommendations of semester-long research projects conducted by PSYC 201 students. Presentation topics will include the impacts of screen time and social media on mental health, the impacts of housing insecurity on mental health and academic success, and the impacts of current immigration policies on mental health.

Those who cannot attend in person can join on Zoom: https://sbccd-edu.zoom.us/j/86752663493 | Meeting ID: 867 5266 3493.

 

14. NURSES DAY — TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2026 | NEAR HLS BUILDING | 3:00 PM

▶  SBCCD Goals: 1, 2   |   SBVC Priorities: Boldly Student Centered, Opportunities for All   |   Guiding Principle: Advancing Community

 Our nursing program will hold a Nurses Day event with tacos and a presentation celebrating the program's history. Centennial trivia: the nursing program pre-dated Valley College, starting at the county hospital in 1908 and joining the college when it opened. Here's to a century of training excellent nurses at Valley College!

 

15. NEW CENTENNIAL PODCAST EPISODE

▶  SBCCD Goals: 1   |   SBVC Priorities: Opportunities for All   |   Guiding Principle: Advancing Community

 The newest episode in our centennial podcast series features former athletic trainer Mike Sola. The podcast shares stories behind our 100 years of impact, featuring conversations with those who helped shape Valley College and those leading us into the next century. Watch and listen on YouTube and Spotify.

 

16. WOLVERINE WEEKLY WILL TRANSITION TO MONTHLY SUMMER SCOOP

▶  SBCCD Goals: 1   |   SBVC Priorities: Opportunities for All   |   Guiding Principle: Advancing Community

 The Wolverine Weekly will become the monthly Summer Scoop in June, July, and August. Thank you for following all the incredible events that have marked our centennial academic year, and enjoy a much-deserved rest this summer!

 

Valley Up!

Gil