Press Release

State House Ceremony Honors Bunker Hill Community College Graduate

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) student Quan Nguyen was one of the 29 graduates of Massachusetts public colleges and universities honored at the State House on May 8. Secretary of Education Matthew Malone, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education Michael O. Moore, and Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education Richard Freeland attended the “29 Who Shine” ceremony

Quan Nguyen at 29 Who Shine 29 Who Shine recipients29 Who Shine recipients 29 Who Shine sign Quan Nguyen and President Eddinger at 29 Who Shine29 Who Shine event photo29 Who Shine event photo 29 Who Shine event photo 29 Who Shine event photo

“You are the future of our democracy,” said Secretary Malone, addressing the students. “We need you as our future teachers. We need you as our future leaders.”

Dr. James Canniff, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Services at BHCC, said, “We are proud that Quan has earned statewide recognition for his academic achievements and his remarkable contributions to the College and the wider community.”

Nguyen was chosen for his academic success, leadership and service to the field of health and medicine. A biomedical engineering student, Nguyen plans to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology after graduating from BHCC. His goal is to be a cancer researcher.

Nguyen is a member of the Commonwealth Honors Program and the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. He is a vice president of the Student Government Association and a mentor to other first-generation college students at the College. Nguyen has donated more than 200 hours of service as a Patient Transport Ambassador at Carney Hospital, where he has also provided translation services to members of the Vietnamese community.

The event also honored mentors named by the 29 students for their guidance and support. Nguyen selected Dr. JoDe M. Lavine, Assistant Professor in the BHCC Science and Engineering Department. “JoDe Lavine’s support has helped me overcome my fears and realize my dreams,” said Nguyen. 

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About Bunker Hill Community College
Bunker Hill Community College is the largest community college in Massachusetts, enrolling approximately 18,000 students annually. BHCC has two campuses in Charlestown and Chelsea, and a number of other locations throughout the Greater Boston area. BHCC is one of the most diverse institutions of higher education in Massachusetts. Sixty-five percent of the students are people of color and more than half of BHCC's students are women. The College also enrolls nearly 600 international students who come from 94 countries and speak more than 75 languages.