Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.

KPCC Archive

San Bernardino shooting victim Aurora Godoy set to receive posthumous degree

Aurora Godoy, a victim of the San Bernardino shooting, with husband James and son Alexander.
Aurora Godoy, a victim of the San Bernardino shooting, with husband James and son Alexander.
(
Courtesy friend Karina Kenney
)

This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.

Los Angeles Harbor College was set to award a posthumous degree to Aurora Godoy, the youngest of the victims of the San Bernardino shooting that took place last December, at a board of trustees meeting Wednesday.

Scott Svonkin, Los Angeles Community College district president, told KPCC that it's rare for the board to give this type of degree. This is the second time in five years that a posthumous degree has been awarded.

“In this case, we’re doing it because we want to make sure that her family knows that her hard work on her studies and her hard work as a public servant is important to the Los Angeles Community College family,” he said.  

Although they had yet to vote to award the degree, Svonkin told KPCC he expected the vote to be unanimous.

“My hope is that this degree will bring comfort to her family and inspiration to every student in our district,” he said.

The 26-year-old worked for the county of San Bernardino and simultaneously went to school. She was just two classes away from getting her associate degree in liberal arts and sciences, her husband James Godoy said.

After a couple months off work, he said he also plans to pursue his education and become a math teacher.

Sponsored message

Her husband and their 2-year-old son were set to accept the degree on her behalf.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.

Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.

If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.

Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today