College of the Canyons inducted eight new students into its Hall of Fame during an induction ceremony hosted by the College of the Canyons Foundation and Alumni Network on Thursday, April 25.
Chancellor Dianne Van Hook established the Alumni Hall of Fame at the local community college in 1999 in an effort to honor and recognize the alumni who have made outstanding professional achievements, according to a news release sent Wednesday.
“The true mark of our effectiveness as a college is the success of our students as hard-working, ethical, focused members of the community,” Van Hook said. “The achievements and character of each of these inductees, along with our past inductees, are a demonstration of the impact of education as a life-changing process. We are so proud that these individuals were our students and look forward to seeing their successes and joys as the years go on. They are our future!”
In previous years, an alumnus who graduated within the last 15 years and has shown outstanding growth in their chosen profession was awarded with the Rising Star Award, but this year COC also introduced the Outstanding Educator Award, which was awarded to an alumnus who has made a significant contribution within the field of education, the release stated.
This year’s inductees include:
- Christine Lopez, a gemologist and ethically produced jewelry designer from the class of 2010 who won this year’s Rising Star Award.
- Jason d’Autremont, a principal at William S. Hart High School from the Class of 2000 who was presented the Outstanding Educator award.
- John Garzon, a finance attorney from the class of 2011.
- Halie Cook, a photojournalist at KNBC from the class of 2013.
- Amanda Bock, an athletic trainer from the class of 2014.
- William Harwood, a mechanical engineer from the class of 2013 —
- Thomas Iland, an autism advocate, author and motivational speaker from the class of 2005.
- Jamie LeRoy, a public policy and human rights advocate from the class of 2012.
