June 23, 2005
Mayor Garrett Addressing Sea of Blue Caps and Gowns in Gymnasium Tonight
(PHOTO OPPORTUNITY)
Former student and GED graduate to share his own experiences with College’s
newest group of GED graduates
WHO: Henry Garrett, mayor of the City of Corpus Christi; Dr. Carlos A. Garcia,
president of Del Mar College; representatives from the DMC General Education
Development (GED) program; over 170 graduates with the Class of 2005; and friends,
family and other DMC representatives
WHAT: Class of 2005 GED Graduation Ceremony
WHEN: 7 p.m., Thursday, June 23 (Tonight)
WHERE: Gymnasium, Del Mar College East Campus, Baldwin Blvd. (campus
map available at www.delmar.edu/maps/east.html)
VISUALS: A sea of blue caps and gowns filling the College’s gymnasium
as family and friends observe the Del Mar’s GED Class of 2005 receive their
certificates of completion. Mayor Garrett addressing the graduates about his
own experience as a Del Mar GED student and the importance of education.
FYI: Every year college, university and high school graduates in the area
hear the infamous “Pomp and Circumstances” playing as they walk to
their seats to take part in commencement ceremonies. Each year in June at Del
Mar College, another group marches to that same tune that signifies their completing
their high school education as General Education Development (GED) students.
On June 23, over 170 students will receive their GED certificates and hear Mayor
Henry Garrett speak about his own experiences as a Del Mar GED student.
The GED program began in the United States in 1942. Since record keeping began
in 1949, more than 15.4 million people from across the country have earned high
school equivalency credentials through the program.
Latest statistics for Texas shows that the statewide pass rate rose to 70 percent
from 60 percent from 2002 to 2003. The local pass rate was 65 percent. Young
adults between the ages 16 and 21 accounted for 52 percent of examinees statewide
and 61 percent locally.
-DMC-mce