EdCC graduation ceremony won’t move to Everett

LYNNWOOD – Edmonds Community College will keep graduation on campus.

The college’s presidential cabinet made that decision Monday after a student’s crusade to move commencement 14 miles north to the more spacious Everett Events Center.

EdCC’s administration left the door open to moving graduation in the future.

“It’s not closed forever,” said Susan Kostick, EdCC’s vice president for college relations. “This is something we are going to have to keep examining.”

“I’m livid,” said Leilani Leighton, 38, an EdCC student who led the drive to move commencement.

The college gym is too small to accommodate everyone who would like to attend, and the cramped quarters pose a safety concern, she said.

The college has traditionally held graduation in the gym, which has room for 1,800 people. Historically, graduates could get three or four tickets based on the number of students taking part.

Leighton said the college is not thinking about students who want to invite family and friends.

She doesn’t know who she can invite now with parents, in-laws, her husband, children and close friends to choose from.

“I’m torn now,” she said. “What do I do?”

Kostick said there wasn’t enough compelling evidence to justify the move.

“Obviously we know how important it is to our students and their families,” she said. “We wish the whole world could come.”

The Lynnwood Convention Center had been suggested as an alternative site, but its 1,200-seat capacity is less than the campus gym.

EdCC’s graduation is set for June 16.

“It’s important to have it resolved so people can go on and make their plans,” Kostick said.

Leighton said she will continue her campaign to move graduation and is thinking of changing schools in protest.

“It’s a bunch of baloney is what it is,” she said.

Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or stevick@heraldnet.com.