The Los Angeles City College (LACC) community commemorated college President Amanuel Gebru’s first year on the job with a formal ceremony on the campus in East Hollywood on Thursday, March 14.
Gebru became L.A. City College’s 16th president on Aug. 1 after former President Mary Gallagher retired. He previously served as vice president of instruction and student services at Moorpark College in Ventura County.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass attended Thursday’s event, and others planning to attend included Nichelle Henderson, president of the L.A. Community College District; L.A. Community College District Chancellor Francisco Rodriguez; 2021-22 Los Angeles Poet Laureate Lynne Thompson and Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer.
The ceremony featured an indigenous land acknowledgement and prayer, poetic tribute and performances by the college’s jazz band and the Ethiopia Dance Troupe and Drummers.
An immigrant, Gebru received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Cal State Long Beach and a doctorate in education from the University of La Verne.
After being chosen as president last year, Gebru said, “As an English language learner and first-generation college student, ensuring our college is the vessel of socio-economic opportunity — for our students alongside committed faculty, classified professionals, and administrators — is the essence of why I am excited to serve,”
About 28,000 students are enrolled in L.A. City College for the spring term, according to a representative for the college.