River Parishes Community College (RPCC) celebrated a major milestone on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, hosting its 25th Annual Commencement Ceremony at the Lamar Dixon REV Center in Gonzales. The event honored 544 eligible graduates across multiple programs, with more than 2,800 attendees joining to celebrate the achievements of RPCC students.
Graduates represented a diverse array of academic areas, including Career and Technical Education, Energy Sciences, and Health Sciences. The ceremony also recognized students from RPCC’s Early College Option (ECO) program and Adult Education students earning their High School Equivalency credentials.
“Our graduates are a reflection of the strength and resilience of the River Parishes community,” said Chancellor Quintin D. Taylor. “Whether earning an associate degree, technical certification, or high school equivalency, each of these individuals has taken bold steps to build a better future. It is an honor to celebrate them and the families, faculty, and partners who helped make this moment possible.”
This year’s Commencement Speaker was Louisiana State Representative Ken Brass of House District 58, a passionate advocate for education and workforce development. Representative Brass played a key role in the development of the Westbank Workforce Training Center and continues to support RPCC’s mission to expand training access across Ascension, St. James, and St. John the Baptist parishes.
Following the ceremony, graduates and their families were invited to the inaugural Commencement & Career Celebration, held in the Lamar Dixon Trade Mart Building. Sponsored by BASF, the celebration featured food, music, giveaways, and opportunities for graduates to take professional headshots, explore transfer pathways with four-year universities, and meet potential employers.
RPCC extends its deepest thanks to the faculty, staff, students, and industry partners who made this day a success.
For more information on Summer and Fall 2025 programs, visit: www.rpcc.edu/academics/academic-programs