Thousands of students transfer to a four-year university without choosing to complete an A.A. degree every year.

For the first time, the Transfer/Honors Program Ceremony will showcase the achievements made by transferring students and students who have completed the honors program on May 15 at 3 p.m., before the main graduation ceremony.

President Eva Conrad is pleased to have this new form of recognition for students.

“Some students graduate with an associate degree, but many others complete the transfer requirements without completing all the steps to earn an associate degree,” said Conrad. “This ceremony gives Moorpark College faculty, staff and families an opportunity to celebrate these students’ successes and bid them farewell in a manner similar to the way we close the time at Moorpark College for those who complete the associate degree.”

Judi Gould, the lead career and transfer counselor, has planned the event along with Dr. Conrad and hopes that this will become a new tradition.She anticipates that about 200 students to attend. Those interested can RSVP in the Career and Transfer Center.

Gould and the staff are inviting students to participate based on student acceptances to universities that students themselves report to the Transfer Ceremony.

During the event, Honors Club President Adam Blazej will speak to the transfers and their families, friends, faculty, staff, and the VCCCD board of trustees. He encourages students to participate.

“The ceremony gives students the chance to recognize the work they did at Moorpark and the tools that the school has provided.” Said Blazej.

Blazej, a transfer student himself, will be attending UC Berkeley next year.

Another transfer student, Political Science major Matt Gillooly, 19, will transfer to Berkeley.

“I think the transfer ceremony will be an awesome way to end two years at Moorpark,” said Gillooly. “After all this work, why not be recognized for everything? There is a sense of accomplishment in transferring, and moving on to new opportunities and places and you have to give time to reflect on where you’ve been and how far you’ve come.”