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Published on 06/22/1998 All articles from this issue

Foothill awards 504 associate degrees, largest class in two decades

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By Clyde Noel

Special to the Town Crier

Foothill College awarded 504 associate's degrees to students at the 39th annual commencement ceremony last Friday night.

Graduating students, family, and guests of this Los Altos Hills community college filled the Foothill stadium grandstand to celebrate graduation of the Class of '98. This year's class is the largest class to graduate from Foothill College in the past two decades.

In addition to a Marine Corps color guard and a performance by the Nova Vista Symphony, the audience heard an inspirational speech from retired Foothill administrator Richard L. Henning.

In January 1997 the Los Altos Town Crier named Henning 1996 Los Altan of the Year. He has been a good will ambassador to the Los Altos community for years and a widely booked public speaker and consultant in interpersonal relations for business and industry.

Henning founded the Foothill College Celebrity Speakers Forum in 1968. For three decades, sold-out audiences have enjoyed conversations with world leaders, noted authors and respected humanitarians who visit the Silicon Valley as guests of Foothill College.

Sharing the podium as guest speaker was 1998 Foothill College graduate Don Ray. A Fremont High School graduate, Ray earned an associate in arts degree in political science with an American politics emphasis.

In his speech, he said, "My experiences at Foothill College have dramatically changed the way I view myself. The lessons I've learned at Foothill have challenged and positively changed many of my perspectives."

Fifty-four scholarships and awards were given to graduating students. Four students were given the President's Medal, the highest honor bestowed on a graduate. Recipients were Anna Viktoria Bergman, Elizabeth Featheringham, Nonne Holm and Mohamed Ruziak Ibrahim.

A reception for friends and relatives to honor graduates was held immediately after the commencement ceremony.