MOUNT VERNON — Skagit Valley College awarded diplomas to 808 graduates Sunday, honoring the diversity of its class of 2008 while recognizing the contributions of those who helped the students in their success.

Student President Chris Palmer, addressing Skagit Valley College’s graduation ceremony, singled out his mother for special recognition.

“I understand it’s kind of a literary irony to thank your Mom on Father’s Day,” Palmer said. “I didn’t really have a father. Since I’ve been here, my mother has supported me through my ups and downs. I just want to say, I love you.”

Palmer, president of the Associated Students of Skagit Valley College, spoke on behalf of the graduates. He thanked everyone from custodians to registrars and from campus security to technology professionals for their support. Palmer, who served in the Navy before entering college, also expressed gratitude to the campus staff who help military veterans make the transition to the classroom.

He was one of several speakers who recognized the support of family, teachers and staff in the lives and academic performance of the graduates.

College President Gary Tollefson also noted the diversity of the class.

Tollefson said the graduates ranged in age from a 16-year-old girl — who is headed to Stanford University on scholarship — to a 63-year-old man who earned an associate’s degree in marine technology. Twenty-three graduates came from other countries, including Peru, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Spain, Kenya, Macau and Korea.

“…Our students come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, ages, and ethnicities. They often come with children and families. They can be choosing their first careers or nearly be ready for retirement,” Tollefson said. “Our diversity at Skagit is reflective of the communities we serve.”

Tollefson spoke specifically about four students who represent the diversity, talents and perseverance of the graduating class:

* Peter Johnson, the student vice president, who received the Lewis Award for distinguish service.

* Kit Vanderboll, who started college at age 14 and will go to Stanford to study constitutional law.

* Emily McGlinchy, who overcame two childhood strokes to earn a pharmacy technician certificate.

* Elizabeth Posas, an immigrant from Mexico who is the first in her family to attend college. She will study nursing at the University of Washington.

A similar ceremony was held Saturday on SVC’s Whidbey Island Campus in Oak Harbor.

“What makes it possible for so many students to successfully face the challenges of a college education?” Tollefson asked. “It most certainly is because there are supporting and caring children and spouses, parents and grandparents. Graduates, I would like you to give the important people who have supported you a round of applause in appreciation of their support for you.”

The graduates — many looking up at their families and friends who were packed into the bleachers of the Dave DuVall Pavilion — applauded.

Besides English, many of the graduates’ friends and family at the ceremony speak Russian, Spanish, Mixteco (an indigenous language from Mexico), and Lingala (a language from the Congo). At one point, the sound of a Congolese drum echoed through the pavilion after one graduate’s name was spoken.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the graduates lifted the tassels on their caps from the right to the left, and Palmer presented the class to Tollefson.

After the ceremony, black-robed instructors lined up in two rows for the graduates to file through. The teachers applauded their former students, offering occasional hugs, as the red-gowned graduates walked past.

* Marta Murvosh can be reached at 360-416-2149 or .