Long Beach City College (LBCC) graduate Major General Peter Gravett (Ret.) has been selected by the Community College League of California as a 2015 Distinguished Alumni Award honoree, LBCC announced Monday.
According to the announcement, Gravett was one of four honorees statewide chosen for the award, which recognizes career accomplishments and community service among community college graduates. Gravett will be presented with the award at the League’s Annual Convention in San Francisco in November.
“Major General Gravett has served our community, our state and our country with distinction for decades,” said LBCC President Eloy Ortiz Oakley in a statement. “This is a well-deserved recognition and we are proud that he is a product of Long Beach City College.”
With more than 40 years of military service, 22 years concurrently with the Los Angeles Police Department, and having served most recently as the Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs, Gravett says he would not be where he is today without his time at LBCC.
“The college gave me a high-quality education with the flexibility to pursue my career in law enforcement,” he said in a statement. “I am delighted to represent LBCC as a Distinguished Alumni.”
Gravett was able to complete his associate’s degree at LBCC while working full-time as a police officer. He later earned his bachelor’s degree from California State University, Long Beach and master’s from the University of Southern California. During his LAPD career, Gravett received the Medal of Valor.
In the California National Guard as Commanding General of the 40th Infantry Division from 1999 to 2002, he was promoted to the two-star rank of Major General, making him the first African-American National Guard division commander. He has earned more than 20 awards throughout his career.
Other LBCC alumni recognized by the League in past years include former Long Beach Mayor Beverly O’Neill, the Molina Family of Molina Health Care, comedian Paul Rodriguez and the late singer Jenni Rivera.
Image courtesy of LBCC.