Crafton Hills College celebrates graduation of 44 new EMTs in its new PAC - Crafton Hills College

Publish Date: Aug. 19, 2025

2025-08-19-summer-emt-graduation

Just months after making history as the last program to graduate inside the old Finkelstein Performing Arts Center, Crafton Hills College’s Emergency Medical Technician program unlocked a new tradition on Aug. 19.The Yucaipa-based college’s graduation of its summer EMT cohort was celebrated in front of friends and family inside the brand-new Performing Arts Center, across from where the old PAC once stood. 

Inside, guests and graduates were greeted with LED lighting, reclining seating, and additional amenities made possible by a crew working to ready the space just hours before the Tuesday evening ceremony.

“At 10 a.m. this morning, [the PAC] did not look this good,” joked Crafton President Kevin Horan. “The team at the college did an amazing job making this ready for you all because we like to celebrate our students and this is one of the best ways we get to do it.”

Crafton’s summer EMT cohort is an accelerated program where 16-weeks’ worth of instruction is packed into 10 weeks. Forty-four students had the dedication and stamina to complete all course requirements in this abbreviated schedule. 

CHC’s Interim Associate Dean of Public Safety and EMT Program Director Amanda Ward praised each student’s achievement. She also recognized the sacrifices and contributions each grad’s families and friends made to see their favorite graduate complete class assignments.

“To watch the growth that happens across our EMT program is significant,” she said. “What your students experienced within our programs is life-changing, and they are now true, full-fledge lifesavers.

Crafton Hills College offers three program cohorts each year, with the next starting in the Fall. The program’s objective is to train students to perform basic life-saving support in a pre-hospital setting. Students who complete the program earn EMT certification and eligibility to take the national rescuer EMT basic exam. 

To learn more about the program, go to www.craftonhills.edu.