2,400 Ways to Graduate

Sixteen-year-old Kimberly Paige, who picked up her second Valley College degree Thursday, was typical of the graduates attending the institution’s 50th commencement ceremony.

So was Myung Chung, a 49-year-old father of two who studied for his nursing exams while manning his Pacoima liquor store.

There was also Ronald Atkins Jr., the first man in his family to receive a college degree. The barrel-chested football captain plans to further his education this fall at James Madison University in Virginia, where he has a full athletic scholarship.

Typical graduates? Yes, because like so many community college students, they are atypical.

More than 2,400 students earned diplomas in separate ceremonies at Valley, Mission and Pierce colleges Thursday. Many of them are immigrants. Many are poor. Many have full-time jobs, kids and gray hair. Most have goals beyond Thursday’s events.

But that mattered little to the black-robed celebrants.

Kimberly, of Toluca Lake, said she will attend Occidental College in the fall to study English and pursue an acting career. She was valedictorian last year and earned a liberal arts degree. She pursued another degree after Occidental told her she needed more credits to transfer as a junior.

“It was a wonderful experience to come here,” said Kimberly, who graduated from high school when she was 12. “I still had a lot of growing up to do, and I didn’t want to be thrust into the college life all at once.”

With two teenage daughters, Chung didn’t have any growing up to do, but he did have dreams to pursue. After immigrating from Korea 24 years ago and becoming a naturalized citizen, Chung joined the U.S. Army as a medic stationed in New York and Korea. He never forgot the experience and studied to become a nurse.

“But I didn’t make enough money, so I bought a liquor store with my brother,” he said.

That was in 1986, and he’s pined for the sterile halls of a hospital ever since.

With his hard-working wife taking up much of the slack at home and at their store, Chung took classes during the day and worked the shop at night.

Now he has a nursing job at Kaiser Permanente in Panorama City and plans to pursue a master’s degree in nursing.

“I want to help people,” he said.

Atkins came to Valley College a cocky, immature kid with lots of potential.

“Now he’s turned that potential into ability,” said his proud father, Ronald Atkins Sr. “He came here as a young man with an immature attitude--now he’s a man. My heart is full.”

The younger Atkins, who led his team with 90 tackles last season, said he never wanted his parents to have to pay for his college education. He plans to study kinesiology at James Madison and hopes to turn a college football career into a National Football League contract.

“It’s exciting to graduate, but I know I have more to do,” he said. “This is just half of the dream.”

Debra Cromwell, 43, is another who has achieved the first part of a larger goal. Standing in the middle of Valley’s Monarch Stadium in her cap and gown, the single mother of two reflected on how she studied for her liberal arts degree over four years while working various jobs.

“The road was long and hard, but if I can do this I can do anything,” she said.

In his keynote address, state Sen. Richard Alarcon (D-Sylmar), a Valley College alum, touched on the institution’s role in bridging the gaps created by ethnicity and poverty.

“Valley College was built so that the American Dream could be for everybody,” he said.

Recalling the heroic efforts of the generation that lived through World War II and established Valley College, Alarcon called on the graduates to build on their deeds and eradicate racism, fight poverty and champion social justice.

“I challenge each and every one of you graduating today to do great things for America,” he said.

Of this year’s 897 Valley College graduates, a 12% increase over last year, about 26% will transfer to four-year schools, according to Yasmin Delahoussaye.

Biotech entrepreneur Edward J.A. Pope was the scheduled commencement speaker at Pierce College, where more than 1,300 students graduated. Los Angeles Community College District trustee Georgia L. Mercer was also scheduled to represent the board and deliver a brief address.

At Mission College in Sylmar, 308 students graduated Thursday afternoon.

The Van Nuys High School band provided the afternoon’s entertainment before a crowd of about 400 people at Mission College. Steven Koonin, vice president of the California Institute of Technology, delivered the commencement address.

Biochemistry major James Koultas could hardly contain his joy before commencement, also praising the school, which he attended for three years.

“I got a very good education,” Koultas said. “The instructors here are great, and they’re the reason why I’m going on to UCLA.”

Times staff writer Irene Garcia contributed to this story.