Rio Hondo College renames quad after retiring congresswoman

WHITTIER – A piece of Rio Hondo College’s (RHC) campus will forever pay tribute to the legacy of Rep. Grace Napolitano long after she retires from public service later this year.

The Río Hondo College Board of Trustees unanimously approved renaming the college’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Quad to the Grace F. Napolitano Quad at its July 10 meeting.

The dedication honors Napolitano’s extensive contributions and advocacy for RHC, particularly its CTE programs over her 24-plus years in Congress.

Napolitano delivered the keynote speech at RHC’s 2022 commencement and helped secure more than $2 million in federal funding to benefit RHC programs throughout her career in Congress. She was first elected to Congress in 1998 and served 13 terms in the House.

Rio Hondo College’s Board will host a dedication ceremony of the Grace F. Napolitano Quad for local elected officials and other distinguished guests at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 14. The ceremony will unveil a rendering of future changes planned for the quad, which includes the installation of new signage, turf, tables and umbrellas for student use.

“Congresswoman Grace Napolitano has tirelessly advocated for Río Hondo College students and their futures,” RHC Board President Anais Medina Diaz said. “Her dedication to workforce development and support for our CTE programs have had a lasting impact on our community.”

The RHC Board chose to rename the CTE Quad in recognition of Napolitano’s efforts to promote workforce development and her support of Rio Hondo College’s CTE programs.

“Congresswoman Grace Napolitano will always be remembered as a pioneer and champion for her constituents,” Superintendent/President Dr. Marilyn Flores said. “Her legacy will live on tangibly on Rio Hondo College’s campus, with the ‘Grace F. Napolitano Quad’ standing as a testament to her remarkable contributions and a source of inspiration for our students.”