Time management is a common challenge among students, but for Donté Day, a 2017 graduate of Allan Hancock College, it was a challenge he was able to overcome.
A member of the U.S. Air Force, Day often found himself balancing school and 12-hour work shifts at Vandenberg Air Force Base, surviving by taking “light naps” in between his responsibilities.
Day is one of 993 students in Hancock’s record-breaking graduating class, earning a total combined 1,411 degrees. He graduated May 26 with two Associate of Arts degrees: one in Administration of Justice and another in Social and Behavioral Sciences.
“Being in the Air Force and going to school, you don’t really see yourself graduating from Allan Hancock with an AA, but my wife was a big part of that,” Day told the Sun. “She kept me focused, and always told me to keep going. I feel so blessed.”
After graduation, Day will transfer to Arizona State University to pursue his dream of working for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). He wants to help eliminate drug problems in the United States and contribute to helping families in drug-related situations that were similar to his own, he said.
Although going to school while in the Air Force was a challenge, Day encourages veterans or members of the military to pursue education at Hancock. In addition to his wife’s support, Day cited his faith and perseverance for his success.
“I don’t view myself as one of the smartest kids in school, but it’s all in my work ethic,” Day said. “You have to work hard, keep striving and using your resources, and surround yourself with people that have the same passion and motivation to succeed like you do.”
Hancock’s graduating class included the college’s youngest graduate ever, 18-year-old Holland Davenport, and oldest graduate, 66-year-old James Makau. Additionally, graduate Emmett Lambert earned 10 associate degrees, including eight in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. Although Lambert started as an art and liberal arts major, he unexpectedly fell in love with math and science during his time at Hancock, according to the college.
Liz Pompa, another graduate, previously worked in lettuce fields before attending Hancock. After her co-workers encouraged her to enroll in classes, she found that she enjoyed helping other people succeed and find their potential, according to the press release. She received the Latino Legacy Award for her support of the Latino community, and plans to transfer to Fresno State University for her master’s degree in order to become an academic counselor.
“If I had to give advice to people in college right now, I would say to never give up,” Day said. “I would’ve never seen myself in this position but through all of the hard work and dedication, I finally made it.”
Among Hancock’s graduating class, nine students graduated with high honors and 4.0 grade point averages, and 201 graduated with honors and 3.5 to 3.99 grade point averages, according to the school.
More information about Hancock is available at hancockcollege.edu.
This article appears in Jun 1-8, 2017.
