State House Ceremony Honors Bunker Hill Community College Graduate
Monday, May 6, 2013
Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) student Valter Gomes was one of the 29 outstanding 2013 graduates of Massachusetts public colleges and universities honored for academic achievement and community service at the State House on May 2. The “29 Who Shine” ceremony was attended by Governor Deval Patrick and state education officials.
Gomes, a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society and the Commonwealth Honors Program at BHCC, was chosen for his academic success and initiative in promoting sustainability at the College. As co-president of the BHCC Sustainability Club, Gomes spearheaded a campaign called “Rethink the Way You Drink,” which resulted in the installation of a water hydration system at the College’s Charlestown Campus.
The event also honored mentors named by the 29 students for their guidance and support. Gomes selected Michael Dubson, Associate Professor in the BHCC English Department, who also attended the ceremony. Gomes said “Michael Dubson is a friend who has always inspired me to dig deeper within myself, think outside the box, and use my education to express what I think is right for myself and others.”
The first in his family to graduate from college, Gomes, a mentor in the College’s Learning Communities program, helps new students make a successful transition to college life. He returns to East Boston High School each year to speak with graduating students about how to avoid gang life and overcome educational barriers.
Gomes plans to continue his education at a four-year university, studying the intersection of economics, business and sustainable development. His goal is to create a business that uses sustainable materials to develop high-quality, affordable products that do not compromise the environment or our natural resources.
Media Contact:
About Bunker Hill Community College
Celebrating 50 years of excellence, Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) is Massachusetts' largest community college, annually welcoming a diverse community of around 16,000 students. With campuses in Charlestown and Chelsea, BHCC extends its reach across several locations in Greater Boston. BHCC is celebrated for its diversity, boasting a student body where 65% identify as people of color and more than half are women. The College also embraces a global perspective, with over 600 international students representing 90 countries and conversing in more than 65 languages. Our commitment to diversity is further reflected in BHCC's designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI).