Pima Community College is preparing to celebrate a new crop of graduates.
The college’s spring commencement takes place Thursday, May 18, in the Tucson Convention Center arena.
The event starts at 7 p.m. and is open to the public.
The class of 2017 includes more than 1,700 associate’s degree candidates, 150 of whom will graduate with highest honors, having achieved grade point averages of at least 3.9 percent.
The most popular degree programs among this year’s graduates are liberal arts, general studies, science, business administration and nursing, a college news release said.
Another 1,800 or so graduates will receive certificates in various fields.
The eldest graduate this year is Roger Christner, 76, who is due to receive an associate’s degree in social services substance use disorders. It’s the second time Christner has earned that distinction: The first was last year when he received a certificate in the same field.
The youngest graduate is 15-year-old Sage Cutler, a candidate for an associate’s degree in liberal arts and an Arizona general education curriculum-arts certificate.
In keeping with past practice, the college chose a graduating student to give the commencement address.
This year’s address will be given by Daniel McLean, a candidate for two associate’s degrees who hopes to go on to a university to earn a law degree.
McLean will receive an Arizona general education curriculum-arts degree and an associate’s degree in liberal arts.
Student Services Centers at each PCC campus will close at 5 p.m. on May 18 for graduation.
