Commencement ceremonies are about celebration and tradition.
One of LCC's many Commencement traditions is to feature an inspirational speaker.
2025 - Aaron Lopez (LCC Class of 2018)
Aaron Lopez is a Project Engineer with ATS in Seattle, an automation solutions provider to many of the world’s most successful companies. After receiving an engineering associate degree from LCC, Aaron earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Washington.
Archives*
Alice Dietz, LCC Trustee
Alice Dietz is a first generation college student and distinguished LCC Alumna. She joined the LCC Board in 2018, serving as one of five governor-appointed trustees for the college. Professionally, Alice is the Public Relations Manager at Cowlitz PUD, and the Communications Chair of the Washington State Public Utility District Association. Prior to working at the PUD, Alice was the Director of Programs at the Cowlitz Economic Development Council. While attending LCC as a student athlete, Alice discovered a passion for learning and went on to The Evergreen State College. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration with an emphasis in Community Development from Evergreen. She is involved with numerous volunteer organizations in the community, including the Kelso Rotary, KLTV, and the United Way of Cowlitz and Wahkiakum Counties. Alice's events and projects include organizing Eat for Heat (a nationally recognized warm neighbor fundraiser), founding the Mt. Solo Community Garden, hosting the PUD's live monthly radio program, and organizing the Downtown Longview Holiday Parade. Read Alice Dietz's remarks.
Dr. Tonya Drake, Chancellor, WGU Washington
Dr. Tonya Drake has held numerous leadership positions in higher education, including at Edmonds and Shoreline Community Colleges, Arizona State University, and the University of Washington. She has traveled the world speaking on diversity and equity issues, including providing the keynote address at a Global Leadership Summit in South Africa. She is a graduate of RA Long High School and Lower Columbia College, and holds a Ph.D. from Arizona State University. She has been the Chancellor for WGU Washington since 2018.
Max Anderson, Owner, Anderson & Anderson Advisory, LLC
Max Anderson is an LCC alumnus, former women’s soccer coach, and investment advisor to the LCC Foundation. He served a combined 17 years on the LCC Foundation Board and Board of Trustees. In 2017, LCC named the 'Anderson Family Pavilion' in honor of Max's parents, David M. and Mary P. Anderson, in recognition of the family's substantial support of the college over the years. Read Max Anderson's remarks.
Bill Stoller, Founder and CEO of Xenium
Stoller is also the founder and vice chairman of Express Employment Professionals. As president and founder of The Stoller Group, he owns 24 Express offices in Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado and California. Stoller attended LCC in 1970 and 1971 and was inducted into the LCC Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017. Stoller also owns and oversees Stoller Vineyards in Dayton, Oregon. Read Bill Stoller's remarks.
Dr. Mary Cullinan, President, Eastern Washington University
Dr. Mel Netzhammer, Chancellor, Washington State University Vancouver
Representative Dean Takko, 19th District, Washington
Paul Laufman, Co-Founder, United Paradyne Corporation
Charlie Earl, Executive Director, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
Dr. Jim McLaughlin, President Emeritus, Lower Columbia College
Lisa Nisenfeld, Executive Director, Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council
Tad Wheeler, Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship Recipient
*Due to the pandemic, there were no speakers from 2020-2023.