Members of Allan Hancock College‘s class of 2023 should keep listening as they move on in life, a retiring instructor told the graduates Friday.
More than 600 members, or roughly one-half of the graduates, participated in the graduation ceremony held Friday morning at the football field on the Santa Maria campus.
Retiring drama professor Michael Dempsey encouraged the graduates to continue to listen and learn even after they leave the college.
“Hang your diploma up; it’s a badge of honor that will also keep reminding you of how you achieved this success,” Dempsey said. “Keep listening. Remember listening builds trust. … Listening exposes us to new ideas and to alternate views.
“The greatest mistake a person or a culture can make is to stop listening. Don’t stop. Keep listening. If you do it right, you’ll never be done.”
This year, 1,236 students earned 1,971 associate degrees and 1,309 certificates of achievement across 101 majors, Hancock representatives said.
Many Hancock students get multiple degrees, but graduates Armando Cruz-Chavez and Constantine Hall both earned a total of nine degrees, more than any other student in their graduating class.
An Allan Hancock College graduate poses for a picture with Superintendent/President Kevin Walthers after receiving a degree on Friday. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo 
An Allan Hancock College graduate records the procession on Friday while entering the football field. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo 
An Allan Hancock College student athlete shows off his degree cover during graduation Friday at the Santa Maria campus. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo 
An Allan Hancock College graduate’s cap indicates plans to transfer to Cal Poly. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo 
An Allan Hancock College graduate signals to a supporter during the graduation ceremony on Friday morning in Santa Maria. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo 
Superintendent/President Kevin Walthers applauds as the class of 2023 begins the procession Friday at the graduation ceremony. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo 
An Allan Hancock College graduate sports a message on her cap: “My biggest success came when they didn’t believe me.” Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo
The ages of this year’s graduates span from 68-year-old Tito “Jesus” De Leon to 15-year-old Chrislaina Anderson.
Nearly 40% of Hancock’s class of 2023 received the Hancock Promise, a popular program that provides the first year of college tuition-free for high school students in the Santa Maria, Lompoc, Santa Ynez and Cuyama valleys.
By far, a majority of the graduates, approximately 84%, are local residents with 98% from California.
Hancock’s 102nd graduating class also boasted the state’s highest transfer rate to Cal Poly, with 61% — or a total of 166 Bulldog graduates — committed to becoming Mustangs in the fall.
That’s double the state average, according to Genevieve Siwabessy, associate superintendent/vice president of student services.
“Without a doubt, the class of 2023 is remarkable collectively as a result of your individual accomplishments,” Siwabessy said. “Each of you saw your odds of success change because of your diligence and the support of the faculty and staff at Allan Hancock College.
“As you leave today, I challenge you to express your gratitude to those who have played a positive role in your accomplishments and to pay it forward by using your talents to change the odds for others in our community.”
In addition to the Promise program, the community provided new buildings and increased internships and workplace education for Hancock students’ success.
“Now it’s your turn to lead,” Superintendent/President Kevin Walthers said. “Make us a better community. Make us a better state. Make us a better nation. I believe you have the power to restore honesty and integrity in our public dialogue.”
While their time at Hancock ended, a new adventure will begin, Walthers said.
“You graduate today thanks to the support you received from family, friends, faculty and staff. They made a personal investment in your future,” Walthers said. “Today, I challenge you to pay that investment forward by working to change the odds for your community.”