This year, Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria saw a large jump in the number of degrees and graduates from last year.
According to a press release, the school had 1,888 students earning 2,207 associate degrees. The school said this was a 48% jump from the number of graduates last year and a 23% increase in degrees. Students also earned 850 certificates this year.
The students didn't celebrate graduation in person but were addressed by Superintendent and President Kevin G. Walthers in a video. The school said they postponed commencement and are planning to hold the ceremony in August.
"Coronavirus has changed everything about the way we conduct our daily lives, and it has certainly changed the way you finished your college career,” Walthers said. “We are so proud of the accomplishments you’ve made, and I know that Captain G. Allan Hancock would also be very proud to see what this college has become.”
The school said part of the increase in graduates and degrees can be attributed to the college's rollout of an automatic degree and certificate that allowed students to automatically receive a degree of they satisfied the academic and credit requirements.
