Crafton Hills College celebrates the Class of 2025—the largest class in its 50-plus year history

Publish Date: May 23, 2025

A new generation of Roadrunners have flown the nest.

On May 23, Crafton Hills College recognized its Class of 2025 under the watchful eyes of President Kevin Horan, faculty and staff, and members of the San Bernardino Community College District Board of Trustees.

Thousands gathered on the campus quad to recognize their graduate, many of whom held signs of support and captured special moments of the ceremony on their smartphones.

President Horan kicked things off with an address to this year’s class, sharing how proud he was of each grad’s accomplishments and their “helpers” along the way.

“Graduates, you may have asked yourself on more than one occasion why there are so many group projects in my classes. Group projects are a practical example of how life works. No one achieves anything without the help of others. Life is a big group project,” he said.

Crafton’s new crop of graduates was composed of 1,135 Roadrunners who earned 878 associate degrees and more than 980 program completion certificates—record highs for the college. Around 400 participated in the late afternoon ceremony.

Other class fun facts:

• For the third year in a row, the Class of 2025 had the highest acceptance rate to schools within the University of California system and second highest acceptance rate within the California State University system.
• For the first time in Crafton history, the college awarded bachelor’s degrees (seven in respiratory care).
• 402 graduates finished with a 3.5 or higher GPA. Of those, 103 achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA.
• 24 graduates served in the armed services.
• Alisa Perales, age 11, became the youngest to complete a Crafton program in college history, earning two AS degrees.

It was also a “family affair” for several Crafton graduates with a mother and son among those recognized, as well as four sets of siblings and one engaged couple graduating together. 

“The family that studies together, graduates together,” said Horan.

Commencement highlights included a welcome prelude of music by Plays Well With Others, the National Anthem performed by the Redlands High School Chamber Choir, and remarks from college and District leaders, who recognized the hard work and dedication it takes to graduate and encouraged grads to never forget their Crafton roots.

“Crafton Hills belongs to you,” said San Bernardino Community College District Chancellor Diana . Rodriguez. “Crafton Hills is your home away from home—you belong here, and you will always belong here… because once a Roadrunner, always a Roadrunner.”

But before it was time to say “goodbye” for now, Crafton Student Trustee Hadi Natour delivered the student address, sharing the a story of a hummingbird who lost its way and the Roadrunners who took time out of their busy schedule to care for the animal. 

“I think back to that moment a lot because I know what it took for all of us to get where we are here today,” he said. “We’ve all had our moments where we’ve crashed, where we’ve felt exhausted, overwhelmed and where we’ve struggled get to back up. 

“No one said it was going to be easy, but sometimes the things worth most doing in life aren’t easy, and that’s okay because we’re not doing this alone,” he continued. “Crafton Hills is a special place in our hearts… because what truly makes Crafton special is that just like that little hummingbird that lost its way, there’s always someone [at Crafton] willing to go out of their way to help you.”