Clark commencement speaker J.R. Martinez

In challenging times, how do you embrace optimism? You turn belief into action. That is the theme of Clark College’s 2012 commencement ceremony as the college honors the largest graduating class in its history. The college will celebrate the achievements of more than 1,700 men and women who earned degrees and certificates at Clark College during the 2011-2012 academic year.

U.S. Army veteran, actor, and motivational speaker J.R. Martinez will be the keynote speaker. Martinez joined the U.S. Army in Sept. 2002. Less than a month into his deployment, Martinez suffered severe wounds as a result of a landmine. Martinez spent 34 months in recovery, undergoing 33 surgeries including skin grafts and cosmetic surgery. Today, Martinez is a highly sought-after motivational speaker and actor, featured in People magazine’s “25 Most Intriguing People of the Year.”

The ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 21, at the Sleep Country Amphitheater, 17200 N.E. Delfel Rd., Ridgefield. The event is free and open to the public. During the ceremony, Clark College President Robert Knight will announce the winners of the 2012 Exceptional Faculty Award and the winner of the 2012-2013 Community College President’s Award.