MISSION VIEJO : Biggest-Ever Class at Saddleback College

The largest graduating class in Saddleback College history--967 students--will receive diplomas this evening.

Commencement exercises will begin at 6 p.m. in the gymnasium at the college, at 28000 Marguerite Parkway.

“Saddleback College continues to serve the community in unprecedented numbers, as indicated by the commencement of its largest-ever class,” college President Constance Carroll said. “Recent reports from the University of California and Cal State University systems indicate that students from this class . . . will be among the best prepared and will on average perform at a higher level” than other students.

Valedictorians from the associate of arts program are Erica Armbruster, Carlo Cruz DeClaro and Andrew Matsubara. Representing the associate of science program is Susan Lynn Smiley.

Speakers will be Patricia Orignon, a Saddleback professor of English who won the 1992 Hayward Award for teaching excellence, and Jason Van Divier, a Saddleback student who won a national forensics championship.

Music will be performed by the Saddleback Symphony Orchestra and the Saddleback Concert Chorale. After the diploma ceremony, professor emeritus status will be bestowed on retiring professors Melvin E. Mitchell and Harold Friedemann.

For information, call (714) 582-4530.