The Big 105th: Crafton Hills College graduates new group of paramedic professionals - Crafton Hills College

Publish Date: March 14, 2025

Paramedic Class 105 Graduation

Crafton Hills College graduated its 105th Paramedic Program in front of a small but lively crowd inside the Finkelstein Performing Arts Center on March 14.

Thirteen program participants varying in ages completed the weeks-long program to earn the title of graduate, all with their class mascots, a scorpion, embossed to their uniform patch and each other’s support to guide them along the way. 

Class 105’s graduation celebration marked an end of an era for the program graduation ceremony as it would be the last to have its ceremony in the soon-to-be demolished PAC after Crafton’s new performing arts center is completed. The class is also the last hybrid class to complete the program after the course offering was paused. The hybrid option allowed students to take a shortened version of the program in both an online and classroom setting.

Each graduate’s family and friends did not disappoint when program faculty asked them to not limit their celebrations. “This is an accomplishment for you as it is for them,” said Glen Thronson, an emergency medical services instructor. “We want it to get loud in here.”

Program highlights included time-honored traditions: the presenting of the class plaque that will hang in the program’s headquarters; remarks from Dr. Phong Nguyen, Crafton’s medical director, who performed a take on Josh Groban’s hit “You Raise Me Up” to laughter from the crowd; and words of encouragement from Class Speaker Tyler Lloyd and Guest Speaker John Grounds, a cardiology professor with the College.

“This profession is not just about medicine. It’s about helping people and being the light in their darkest moments,” he said. “Go forward with confidence. Serve with humility and lead with courage. And above all, remember, you are ready. Congrats, Class 105.”

Before the event ended, loved ones were invited to the stage to take part in a pinning ceremony where a program pin is placed on each grad’s lapel. The evening graduation celebration also included the following recognitions of students’ accomplishments:

  • Medical Director’s Award Recipients: Marc Camilo and Dwight Jones
  • The Yucaipa Rotary Scholarship and Clinical and Director’s awards: Marc Camilo
  • Tony Giordano Memorial Scholarship and Cardiology Award: Angel Gonzalez
  • Field, Pharmacology and Patient Assessment awards: Sergio Quiroga
  • Theory Award: Tyler Lloyd
  • Skills Award: Riley Patterson

Crafton Hills’ paramedic program is broken down into three key sections: classroom instruction, lab participation, and 600 hours of field work with preceptor support from safety agencies across the Inland Empire. To learn more about the program and its requirements, go to craftonhills/paramedics.edu.