Butte College marked its 51st Annual Commencement with a virtual ceremony on Friday, June 19 at 6:30 p.m. A total of 1,648 degrees were conferred to a resilient class of students who made their education a priority and persevered through the Camp Fire and COVID-19. the event was prerecorded so graduates, families, friends and community members can still watch the ceremony.
All participating graduates will received a link to stream the virtual ceremony and celebrate with their families and friends. Additionally, the virtual ceremony remains active at cyberstreetmedia.com/graduation. In addition to the virtual celebration, this year's graduates will be invited to participate in the Spring 2021 Commencement ceremony in May.
“The Class of 2020 will forever be remembered for their dedication and perseverance through unprecedented times. Our students are resilient,” said Butte College President, Dr. Samia Yaqub. “Students were impacted by the Camp Fire and continued remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our graduates have exciting futures ahead and should be very proud of their accomplishments.”
Butte’s 2020 student commencement speaker was Sutter Sullwold, Chico. He attended Butte College for two years and earned an Associate Degree for Transfer in Arts in Communication Studies. He plans to attend Chico State in Fall 2020. His course of study will be communications and public affairs. Sullwold plans to have a career in the travel industry abroad so he can experience the world. He Graduated summa cum laude with an overall cumulative GPA of a 4.0.
In Sullwold’s commencement speech, he applauds the Class of 2020. “With the events of these last two years we just have to be thankful that the world hasn’t ended…We have faced the most devastating wildfire in California’s history, power outages spanning weeks and taking us out of our classroom settings, and now a global pandemic --which has completely changed life as we know it.”
Sullwold acknowledged the class couldn’t have done it on their own and expressed gratitude for those who helped them along the way, “…One thing that the fire did not take from us is our drive to be successful. We created this term ‘Butte Strong’ for a reason. Through all of this tragedy we came out on top and here we all are today with our caps, gowns, tassels, and a bright future ahead of us. For this we have to thank our loving families, friends who helped us at our lowest of lows, our amazing faculty who took their time in order to provide us an opportunity to pursue our education. While we don’t always remember to do this, we should stop and recognize not just the collective efforts of those who helped us along the way, but our own sacrifices and achievements, as well…"
Sutter Sullwold
Student Commencement Speaker 2020, Communication Studies, Summa Cum LaudeReady to embark on his next adventure
Sutter Sullwold, student commencement speaker, will graduate summa cum laude with a 4.0 grade point average. He’s put in the work and he hopes his future includes seeing the world.
Sullwold loves to travel and would like to choose a career that allows him to travel for work. His goal is to work for a company overseas.
He says it was a “no brainer” for him to attend Butte College due in part to the Promise Scholarship that allowed him to choose Butte for his undergraduate studies, stating it was by far the most cost-effective way to finance his education.
“I would like to thank Butte College as a school. There are many differing opinions about community colleges and I am personally thankful for everything they did for me to help me get my education.” The Chico High School graduate plans to return to Chico this fall to complete his 4-year degree at Chico State. “My teachers really cared about me and my success, they recognized my hard work and achievements and prepared me for what’s next.”
Sullwold is featured in the Butte College virtual commencement set for June 19 at 6:30 p.m.
Mackenzie Bryan
Communication Studies, Magna Cum Laude, Phi Theta KappaCamp Fire Survivor Excels
Mackenzie Bryan’s education was the steadfast pillar that kept her going after the Camp Fire.
A Paradise High School graduate, Bryan was in her first semester at Butte College when the fire destroyed her family’s home. She moved multiple times, sleeping on sofas and in hotels while her parents got back on their feet. Her experience motivated her to produce a video about student homelessness for the Basics Needs conference in San Francisco to show how homelessness comes in many forms.
Bryan was actively involved in Butte College’s speech and debate team. She recalls her passionate delivery of a persuasive speech about the stigma around community colleges and the pressure on students to enroll in a 4-year university. She discussed the topics of college applications and student debt and encouraged others to look at community colleges as a first choice as opposed to a fall back plan. Ultimately, she placed second in the finals.
Bryan will pursue a communications degree at UC Santa Barbara this fall. Her goal is to work in public relations for a sustainable fashion company. “No matter where you go, it’s what you make of it,” Bryan added.
Maria Hendon Miccio
Medical Office AdministrationSeeks to be a Role Model for Her Children
Maria Hendon Miccio was 31 years old, just beginning her second marriage and had her second baby when she started attending Butte College.
After her first marriage, she promised herself she would always have a job and be able to provide for her family. She worked as a Certified Nurses Assistant and a caregiver for many years and knew she wanted to do something in the medical field. She would still like to pursue a career in the medical field but for now has landed a great new job working in office management for Esplanade Furniture in Chico.
Miccio says her experience with computers is also a great selling point for future employers and one of the reasons she chose to complete a degree in medical office administration.
While she was somewhat disappointed that she would not be walking on the field with her cap and gown, she is grateful she’s graduating and moving on with life. Her advice to young people is, “go to college it’s important and easier when you are younger.”
She credits Butte College with great teachers and counselors to help lead you in the right direction.
“I did this for my kids, to show them I have a degree. Now, I will have this degree on my resume. It’s something I can be proud of, and they can be proud of me,” said Miccio.
Frankie Cleary
Administration of JusticePitching in a Pandemic
Frankie Cleary excelled on and off the baseball field, and recently signed to play baseball at Salem University in Salem, West Virginia this fall.
“I was born with a passion for playing baseball,” said Cleary. He attended Paradise High School where he played baseball and football before coming to Butte his freshman year. It worked well for his family that he could live at home and continue working at Dutch Bros. in Paradise, a job he still holds and loves today. Cleary took a break from baseball his freshman year at Butte yet realized quickly how much he missed it. He was on the team the following year in Spring 2019.
The Camp Fire created some obstacles for Cleary’s family, but that didn’t stop him from suiting up for a historic 31-8 season. “Butte had never won more than 30 games in a season,” Cleary stated proudly, “The greatest moment was when we got to 31 wins, it was a huge accomplishment.”
Cleary enjoys helping with youth baseball programs and summer camps at Butte College. He says working with kids remind him of his childhood. “With the pressure on youth sports today, kids have to take baseball more seriously at a younger age,” he says his best advice to aspiring young ball players is, “Keep having fun. Never lose sight of why you wanted to play baseball.”
Cleary is focused on finishing his 4-year degree in administration of justice.
Benito Gutierrez
Journalism and Social and Behavioral Science, Magna Cum LaudeFinds Hope and Healing in Pursuit of His Education
“This is the last thing anyone expected of me,” said Benito Gutierrez of his graduation.
Gutierrez, who’s been in and out of prison, finally decided enough was enough. While incarcerated, he began taking classes at Merced Community College where he found his passion for writing. He was ultimately nominated as student of the month and won a $50 food prize and a month of free parking in a designated spot. He donated the $50 cash prize to the school’s food pantry and gave the parking spot to the teacher who nominated him.
From there, he started stacking up more wins and realized that people wanted to hear his voice. He won the PEN American short story contest and published an anthology of prison poetry.
Upon release, Gutierrez transferred to Butte College. He founded a new organization on campus called Ascending Scholars to help formerly incarcerated and system impacted students. “There are so many hurdles and so much stigma surrounding those returning to society. Some face homelessness or addiction issues. Filling out a FAFSA can be intimidating.” Gutierrez says his desire is to help formerly incarcerated students succeed.
When Butte College’s campus transitioned to distance learning due to COVID-19, Gutierrez was the editor of The Roadrunner campus newspaper, which transitioned to an online blog. He will complete his bachelor’s degree in journalism at Chico State.
Gutierrez believes everything he’s been through prepared him to step up to this challenge and meet the opportunity. “Success takes sacrifice. If you want it, you’ve got to work hard for it,” he says proudly.
Sarah Ruud
Psychology, Child and Adolescent Development, and Social and Behavioral ScienceOvercomes Challenges
It’s been a long road for Sarah Ruud to graduate with the Class of 2020, but after eight years, she made it.
Ruud originally wanted to become a nurse. She later changed her major to psychology, a field that is very personal, but the experience has made her stronger.
“I have some learning disabilities so I have to study more than the average person,” said Ruud who also was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and depression while attending Butte College.
After two divorces and the loss of her grandmother, Ruud and her family lost everything in the Camp Fire. The culmination of these events led her to a mental breakdown that she felt was the result of medication wherein she tried to take her own life. She has a new medication plan that has helped her tremendously. Ruud credits Butte College counselors and staff for always having an open door and says she wouldn’t be where she is today without them.
Ruud works on campus for Disabled Student Programs and Services driving students with physical disabilities to their classes. She also works in the computer lab with students who need assistance with Kurzweil 3000, a computer software program that scans books into pdfs, reads text aloud and highlights important sections.
Students Who Completed Other Programs This Year; Not Participating in Ceremony
Connor Musler
Summa Cum Laude, Social and Behavioral ScienceCollege Connection Student Set to Transfer
Connor Musler of Oroville, graduated from Las Plumas High School in June 2019 with 32 college credits, 11 Advanced Prep (AP) credits and 21 credits he attained through Butte College’s College Connections program. Connor will graduate from Butte College summa cum laude with a 4.0 grade point average.
College Connections selects high school seniors who want to attend college their senior year. Musler is now a year ahead of his class to complete his college degree. Musler and his two brothers are all attending Butte through the Promise Scholarship.
Musler feels that Butte College has prepared him well. He acknowledges his transfer counselor and College Connection’s advisor for fast tracking his graduation and making sure he stayed on track.
His paid internship at the City of Oroville Planning Department which he credits with teaching him about the urban planning process and the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes. He will attend UC Irvine this fall.
Stephanie Brown
Respiratory Therapy (RT)Camp Fire Student Survivor
Stephanie Brown was working as a Certified Nurses Assistant (CNA) at Feather River Hospital and in her first semester at Butte College when the Camp Fire changed her life.
Chosen as the commencement speaker for the 50th graduating RT class at Butte College, Brown states in her virtual speech, “They told us on the first day that we were going to need each other. That we were going to become a family. Never in our wildest dreams could we have known how right they’d be.”
In addition to the support she’s received in the classroom post-fire, one of Brown’s fellow classmates brought her clothing for her 4-year old son. Another gave her all of her notes after her own burned to ashes. “I was surprised that people who I didn’t know and didn’t think I’d become friends with cared so much about me,” she adds.
The RT class grew closer than Brown expected. For her second semester of clinicals, she commuted with the other Paradise resident in her class to Shasta Regional Medical Center in Redding. “We became more than just classmates, we became good friends.” said Brown.
Brown feels proud she made it through school while working and caring for her young son. Due to COVID-19, healthcare hiring has slowed yet Brown remains optimistic. She hopes to remain in the area and has been checking job boards daily. “We have fought hard to reach this point, and despite the odds against us, we have made it.”
Arjuna (R.J.) Ramakar
Certificate to Operate Heavy EquipmentA second chance to live a great life
“Attending Butte College changed my whole outlook on life,” said Ramakar, 53 of Nevada City. “They gave me confidence and self esteem…two things I haven’t had in a long time.”
Ramakar is a formerly incarcerated student who came to Butte College when he was assigned to live at the Tri Counties Treatment Center in Oroville. The program required he get a job. “I decided instead of working at McDonald’s or at a minimum wage position, I would enroll in school instead,” he said.
His goal was to build a foundation for a career, something he could retire from down the road. Ramakar has always worked in construction and thought operating a machine would be a good transition.
He plans to stay at Butte this fall to obtain a second degree in Mechanized Agriculture. “I can’t say enough good things about the program. My instructors knew where I was coming from. They were supportive and helpful every step of the way. I felt they really cared about me and made me feel like I can do anything I want to do.”
Ramakar is also part of the Ascending Scholars, a club on campus that helps formerly incarcerated and system impacted students. He recalls a powerful moment in a meeting where he was asked to share his personal story in front of faculty, the president of Butte College, and members of the Butte County Sheriff’s Department.
Last semester, he achieved a 4.0 grade point average and offers this advice, “Don’t give up on yourself. No matter what you failed to do in the past, it doesn’t mean you can’t do great things in the future."
For more information about Butte College, visit vx.cyberstreetmedia.com.
Christian Gutierrez
Public Relations Officer
Butte College
3536 Butte Campus Drive
Oroville, CA 95965
Content editor:
Christian Gutierrez
530-895-2959
