Schools

Retired ABCUSD Superintendent to Speak at 2013 Cerritos College Commencement Ceremony

The former ABC Unified School District superintendent has been chosen as the commencement speaker for the college's May 18 graduation ceremony.

Former ABC Unified School District superintendent, Dr. Gary Smuts, who retired from his position in June 2012, will be delivering the commencement speech at the Cerritos College graduation ceremony next month.

The Falcons will hold its 56th annual commencement ceremony to honor its graduating students on Saturday, May 18 at 5 p.m. in Falcon Stadium. Cerritos College's Board of Trustees will present degrees and certificates earned during the 2012-2013 academic year.

Smuts, who was chosen as this year's commencement speaker, is a Cerritos College alumnus (1970).  

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He Cerritos College after graduating from Norwalk High School. While at Cerritos, he was member of the football team, the forensics team, and the student Supreme Court. Smuts also received a Bronze Falcon award for his service to the college. He holds a doctoral degree from the University of La Verne.

In his 37 years at the ABC Unified School District,  Smuts held many leadership positions beginning with teacher, coach, principal, and eventually superintendent. As superintendent, he worked to expand the relationship between Cerritos College and the district, always exploring better ways of helping students transition from high school to college.

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As a result of his outstanding leadership in education he earned the distinguished title of Association of California School Administrators' Superintendent of the Year for California in 2009. And till this day, Smuts continues to be an advocate of Cerritos College. In 2012, Smuts successfully led the college's Measure G bond campaign as the campaign chair.

He retired from his post with the school district in June of last year. 

2013 Commencement Details

Commencement begins at 5 p.m. on May 18 and it is free and open to the public. Parking will be free at The Falcon Stadium on Commencement Day. The stadium is located on the south side of Alondra Boulevard.

No tickets are required for the ceremony. The entrance gates are located on both the northeast and northwest sides of Falcon Stadium and will open at 3:30 p.m. No strollers will be admitted into the stadium for the ceremony.
Seating for wheelchair users and one guest may be reserved upon request two weeks prior to commencement. For further details contact Mary D'Ettorre, Disabled Student Program and Services (DSP&S) via email at mdettorre@cerritos.edu or phone (562) 860-2451 ext. 2346 or 2352.

A map of the campus is available at www.cerritos.edu/guide

For more information about Cerritos College's 56th Annual Commencement, please visit www.cerritos.edu/commencement or contact Student Activities at (562) 860-2451 ext. 2471

- Cerritos College Media Relations


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