Los Medanos College students gathered in the outdoor quad May 12 for the annual Transfer Celebration, an event recognizing graduating and transferring students as they prepare for the next stage of their academic journeys.

Hosted by Transfer and Career Services, the celebration featured free food including hot dogs, inflatables, music, a photo booth and university representatives available to answer questions from students planning to transfer.

Sandra Parsons, interim director of Transfer and Career Services, said the event exists to recognize the accomplishments of transfer students and help build community on campus.

“Coming to a community college and completing their associate’s degree or just completing their transfer requirements and moving on to the next step, is a huge accomplishment in their educational path,” Parsons said.

Parsons said university representatives attending the event gave students opportunities to ask questions about future transfer plans, whether they are transferring this year or still preparing for the future.

The event also aimed to create a welcoming environment for students nearing graduation during a stressful time in the semester.

“We want them to have that sense of community,” Parsons said. “We want them to have that experience of going to college.”

Transfer counselor David Reyes said the celebration served as both a recognition event and a way for students to relax as finals approach.

“We know all the students are going through finals right now,” Reyes said. “So it’s a good day that students and employees can come together and just come out to the quad, have fun, enjoy the day and celebrate each other.”

Reyes encouraged students hoping to transfer in the future to take advantage of campus resources early.

“The transfer process needs preparation,” Reyes said. “Definitely utilize our resources across campus because we have a lot of wonderful people here who love supporting students.”

Students attending the event shared excitement about their upcoming transitions.

Michelle Ogwu, a psychology major transferring to San Francisco State University, said the celebration gave students a chance to connect and celebrate together.

“It may be difficult, but it’s worth the dream,” Ogwu said.

Ogwu said one of her favorite parts of the event was the photo booth and the opportunity to meet other students with similar interests.

Another attendee, Amisatu Kamara, said she attended after seeing the event promoted online and enjoyed seeing students come together.

“It’s really nice to see everybody come together and just celebrate their success here at LMC,” Kamara said.

Kamara, who plans to transfer in the future and hopes to attend an HBCU, said events like the Transfer Celebration remind students that their hard work matters.

“It shows the students that we care,” Kamara said. “It gives students a sense of relief knowing that everything they worked hard for is finally coming together.”

The celebration ran from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Raven Yelder, a staff member who helped with passing out the free food said that the transfer celebration was really important to students who were transferring. “It’s evidence that the work they put in was worth it and it definitely gives morale for working harder,” said Yelder.

Yelder said she graduated from university two years ago and transferred to UC San Diego from LMC. “I got a lot of support from LMC. I gained a work ethic. Coming in as a student from high school, I had no idea how to study. I didn’t know how to have work-life balance, how to get support, how to do tutoring and how to go to office hours. Everything I gained, I gained here at LMC,” said Yelder.

Mariana Viera, who was there with Yelder, said her favorite part is being able to put on a fun event for students to enjoy after a very exhausting week of finals.

“I think it’s pretty important to be able to relax after such a stressful week and just have something to destress,” said Viera.

“It really highlights the work that they put in and celebrates their accomplishments and being able to go onto a four-year university after their time here,” said Viera

The turnout for the event was pretty busy especially during passing periods according to Viera.

For more information on future events or transfer services, visit the LMC website.