PCC graduation

Pima Community Collegeโ€™s class of 2017 graduates Thursday.

Pima Community Collegeโ€™s biggest celebration of the year takes place Thursday at Tucson Convention Center where thousands are expected to gather for the schoolโ€™s 2016 graduation ceremony.

This yearโ€™s event honors the achievements of nearly 3,900 students who are receiving associate degrees, employment-related certificates, or both.

PCCโ€™s youngest graduate, Cody Belksma, 17, will receive an auto mechanics certificate. The eldest, Roger Christner, 75, will receive a certificate in social service substance use disorder specialty, a college news release said.

Graduate Francy Luna Diaz, who is receiving an associate degree in liberal arts and an honors certificate, will give the commencement address.

A member of the PCC chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, she plans to study political science and Latin American studies at a university yet to be determined.

For those unable to attend, the college is recording part of this yearโ€™s ceremony for playback on Cox digital Channel 121 and on Comcast Channel 97.

The footage will air each Tuesday and Saturday at 6 p.m. until the end of June.


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Carol Ann Alaimo