Crafton Hills College’s Class of 2023 Makes History, Celebrates New Beginnings

Publish Date: May 24, 2023

Crafton Hills College’s Class of 2023 made history by earning more than 900 degrees and 673 certificates­—the highest total earned in the college’s 50-plus year history.

And on Wednesday, May 24, those 806 grads were on the receiving end of lively hoots and hollers as their friends, family and community supporters gathered at the Yucaipa-based college to celebrate its most recent crop of alumni.

“As newly minted alumni of Crafton Hills College, you can proudly tell your friends and family that you graduated from the very best community college in the Inland Empire. In fact, don’t be shy about it,” remarked CHC President Kevin Horan in the early minutes of the hour and a half-long ceremony.

This year’s class was composed of students from varying backgrounds, including 21 veterans, a married couple and four sets of siblings. Close to 300 were leaving Crafton with a 3.5 GPA or higher, with 68 achieving a perfect 4.0 GPA. The youngest and oldest graduates of the Class of 2023 were 17 and 71 years of age, respectively, Horan said.

In addition to Horan, other speakers included Diana Rodriguez, San Bernardino Community College District chancellor; Dr. Stephanie Houston, chair of the SBCCD Board of Trustees; Crafton Librarian and Academic Senate Co-President Natalie Lopez; and Student Commencement Speaker Angellie Cristobal. Each encouraged graduates, now ending their chapter of Crafton experience, to soak in each future chapter of their lives with grace, hope and gratitude no matter what life throws at them.

President Horan quoted Author Rory Vaden’s point that “‘Success is never owned, it is rented­—and that rent is due every day.’ Today is a day of celebrating your success, but you start a new tomorrow. Make the most of tomorrow.” He continued, “Remember the true value of your education. With education we can transform our communities to be a more just, inclusive, equitable and compassionate place.

Added Cristobal later in the ceremony, “My fellow graduates, this is our story of us emerging from times of uncertainty, not knowing the details until we lived and breathed through it ourselves, and we have arrived at the end of this chapter… to bask in the ambiance of our triumph and continue on the road of success no matter how it may look.

“Whatever the next chapter holds, know that we are so deserving of all the greatest blessings life has to offer,” she concluded.

Additional event highlights included prelude music by the band Plays Well With Others, the National Anthem performed by Brittany Souisa, and the presenting of the Class of 2023 by Dr. Keith Wurtz, CHC vice president of instruction.

To begin your Crafton experience, go to www.craftonhills.edu today.