MESA, Ariz. -- Sept. 15, 2025 -- The City of Mesa’s third anniversary as the 362nd International City of Peace will be celebrated at the 2025 International Peace Pole rededication on Wednesday, Sept. 24 at 9 a.m. in the Center Courtyard of Mesa Community College’s Southern and Dobson Campus, 1833 West Southern Ave.

The event, free and open to the public, is sponsored by the City of Mesa, MCC, The Children’s Benefit Foundation, Inc., City of Mesa Police Department, Rotary International and St. Matthew United Methodist Church.

The program will open with a prayer by Nadia Khalighi of the Chandler Baha’i community and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mesa Police Department Commander Bill Peters. MCC President Dr. Richard Daniel and City of Mesa Mayor Mark Freeman will provide remarks. They will be joined by Ray Villa and Dr. Ruth Tan Lim from the Mesa Sunrise Rotary Club, who will express the significance of Peace Poles and Mesa being an International City of Peace.

Originally dedicated in 2013, the MCC International Peace Pole honors International Peace Day (Sept. 21), which recognizes the individual and collective responsibility to foster peace. The peace pole is engraved with the message, “May Peace Prevail on Earth,” in the language of the country in which it is displayed. Considered monuments to peace, there currently are more than 200,000 peace poles worldwide signifying peace and hope.

Guests are encouraged to enter the campus from Southern Avenue at Rose Garden Way to park and proceed to the Center Courtyard near the clock tower.

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Media Contact: Julie Ruiz, julie.ruiz@mesacc.edu, 480-461-7283

Mesa Community College (MCC), which is celebrating its 60th anniversary during 2025, is nationally recognized for its excellence in university transfer, career and technical programs, civic engagement, and innovative education. Serving more than 25,500 students annually, MCC offers a range of degree and certificate programs across its two campuses and additional locations. MCC students contribute more than 8,500 hours of community service annually. MCC serves as a key resource for education, workforce development, and lifelong learning. The college enhances student success through Guided Pathways with Integrated Support Services. A Hispanic Serving Institution, nearly 50% of MCC students are first-generation college attendees, and it boasts the largest Indigenous student population among Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) colleges, supporting students from 22 Arizona tribes and additional out-of-state tribes. Our award-winning faculty are committed to helping students achieve their goals through high-quality education, training and undergraduate research opportunities. Located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, MCC is one of 10 MCCCD colleges. Learn more at mesacc.edu/newsroom.

MCC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org.

The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin. A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the career and technical education programs of the District. MCCCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. For Title IX/504 concerns, call the following number to reach the appointed coordinator: (480) 731-8499. For additional information, as well as a listing of all coordinators within the Maricopa College system, visit www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.