HOUSTON - The hopes and dreams of students from all backgrounds and walks of life will be front and center at Lone Star College-University Park’s annual commencement ceremony on Friday, May, 10, at Champion Forest Baptist Church in Houston. The school is expected to confer more than 800 associate degrees, 48 certificates and six GEDs during the celebration.
Dr. Shah Ardalan, LSC-University Park president, will welcome graduating students, their families and friends, faculty, staff and community members.
“Whether students are with us for a few semesters or years, our faculty, staff and administrators give them their very best,” said Dr. Ardalan. “At commencement, we will celebrate the hard work and dedication of students as they achieve a very important milestone in their lives.”
Dr. Juan Sánchez Muñoz, president of the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD), will deliver the commencement address.
Muñoz has played a vital role in the growth of many areas of the university, including an increase in enrollment, UHD’s reputation in the city and throughout the state. He helped steer $80 million in capital projects with more in development. He also serves on several boards and committees focused on enhancing Houston’s economic and cultural landscapes and national organizations aimed at academic excellence.
In honor of his dedication and belief in higher education, President Ardalan will award a $1,000 scholarship in Dr. Muñoz’s name to Sherre Bowry, an LSC-University Park student.
The LSC-University Park and UHD partnership enable more than 1,000 LSC students to transfer to UHD each year. UHD Northwest is housed at LSC-University Park. Not only do both institutions share the same campus, faculty, and students, but they also have a shared vision to provide quality education at an affordable cost while enriching the lives of the communities they serve.
Citlalli Rebollar, president of the Student Government Association and a 2019 LSC graduate, will represent the graduating class. Originally from Houston, Rebollar will earn an Associate of Arts degree and plans to transfer to a university to major in international relations. She is a first-generation college student from an immigrant family who learned to navigate the ropes of higher education.
Rebollar’s speech is expected to inspire attendees and focus on resiliency and achievement.
“Attending college was a dream, out of reach, and at times, impossible to grasp,” Rebollar said. “LSC-University Park offered me a generous support system in the form of faculty, mentors, advisors, and counselors that helped guide me through all aspects of college life.”
LSC-University Park focuses on every student to help them reach their academic goals. At this year’s commencement, in honor of LSC Chancellor Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., Dr. Ardalan will award two $500 GED scholarships to students who plan to continue their postsecondary education. He will recognize A’Miracle Ariel Moore and Ahmed Mustafa Rauf for their exceptional dedication at the ceremony.
During the commencement, 35 students from the Honors College will be acknowledged for earning a perfect 4.0 grade-point average during their academic careers at LSC-University Park. LSC founded the Honors College in 2014 and offers high-achieving students an enriched college experience through challenging curriculum, innovative research, smaller class sizes, dedicated faculty, travel, off-campus educational and cultural events, service learning opportunities, conferences, and more.
This year, 38 high school students will receive their high school diplomas and an associate degree at the same time. LSC-University Park’s partnership with iSchool High enables high school students to take dual credit classes and advance in their college career.
LSC-University Park welcomes the community to experience college for themselves. Enrollment is open and summer classes begin on June 3 and July 11. Register today at LoneStar.Edu/UP-Summer.