Stone Brewery CEO, Co-Founder to Give Commencement Speech at Cuyamaca

Stone Brewing Company CEO and co-founder Greg Koch is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at Cuyamaca College's 34th annual commencement ceremony Wednesday.

Nearly 700 students are expected to receive associate degrees and certificates of achievement during the ceremony, which is taking place at the college's Rancho San San Diego campus at 5:30 p.m. Koch was chosen to be this year's keynote speaker because of his longstanding commitment to resource conservation, according to the college's website.

"I hope to share a little bit of insight and offer encouragement to the graduates to make their own way in the world and at the same time, take personal responsibility to do their share to protect this place where we live," Koch said in a statement.

Cuyamaca is part of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District. On Thursday, 1,664 students are expected to participate in Grossmont College's 51st commencement ceremony, for a total of more than 2,300 spring graduates throughout the district.

"These have been the toughest budgetary times in the history of this district, so these graduates certainly deserve the heartiest of congratulations," Grossmont-Cuyamaca Chancellor Cindy L. Miles said in a statement. "I'm so proud that they persevered through these difficulties, and it will be my pleasure to congratulate them as they embark on their new educational and career ventures."

–City News Service