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November 22, 2009
2008-05-31 - Bunker Hill Community College Celebrates 34th Commencement
Boston, May 31, 2008 – Bunker Hill Community College, the largest community college in Massachusetts, awarded nearly 800 degrees and certificates to the class of 2008 at the College’s 34th Commencement exercises on Saturday, May 31, 2008. Dr. Carol R. Johnson, superintendent of Boston’s 57,000-student public school system, was the keynote speaker.
“You are scholars. You are achievers. Remember that education is a gift no one can take away from you,” Johnson told the audience of 2,500 graduates, students, family and friends. “You know people who are not in school. Reach out, encourage them to choose Bunker Hill Community College so they can earn the wonderful gift you received today.“
Many in the audience were children whose parents were graduating. “We organized my mom’s flash cards for her,” said Leyah Williams, 13, of Beverly, whose mother Carrie Williams was graduating. “My mom got up at 4:30 in the morning every day for four years to study,” said Zachary Sicard, 15, whose mother received a degree in medical radiography. “I’m so proud she’s come this far.”
Thomas A. Kershaw of Boston, civic leader and owner of Hampshire House, the model for the television show Cheers, received the President’s Distinguished Service Award at the ceremonies. “Tom Kershaw has always been among the first to step forward for our students, whether they need a fundraiser for textbooks or work experience for culinary students,” said Mary L. Fifield, Bunker Hill Community College president.
The number of graduates, one of the highest in the 35-year history of the college, reflects the College’s growing enrollment, now more than 8,900 students on two campuses and at five satellite locations each semester. Some 1,700 students take classes online. BHCC is one of the most diverse institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth. Six in ten students are people of color and more than half of BHCC’s students are women. The College also enrolls more than 600 international students who come from more than 95 countries and speak 75 different languages.
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