26 May, 2016
WELLESLEY HILLS, MA (May 26, 2016) – MassBay Community College recently honored students at the College’s 54th Commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 19th at the Wellesley Hills campus. Nearly 300 students participated in this year’s Commencement ceremony, representing students from 38 countries from around the world. This diverse and talented group also recognized five students who earned a 4.0 GPA; four students who earned the highest GPA in their academic divisions; a student who was honored as the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education’s 29 Who Shine recipient; and a student who was awarded the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, the Foster Furcolo Scholarship and the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship.
This year’s recipient of the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education’s 29 Who Shine award was Abraham Guerrero of Southborough, who was recognized by Governor Charlie Baker at a State House ceremony honoring one student from each of the 29 public higher education institutions in Massachusetts who have excelled academically and have future goals that include contributing to civic life and advancement to business and innovation in the Commonwealth. Guerrero is an honors student who will attend Tufts University this fall to pursue a bachelor’s degree in economics.
Wellesley resident Stacy Okada was recognized as the recipient of several of the nation’s most prestigious scholarships. She is a 2016 Barry M. Goldwater Scholar, the only community college student to win this scholarship this year, which is the highest undergraduate prize for students pursuing studies in Science, Technology, and Engineering fields. Okada is also the recipient of the Foster Furcolo Scholarship from UMass Boston and the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, the nation’s largest and most prestigious scholarship for community college students. She will continue her studies this fall at UMass Boston in Biochemistry.
Ana Hincu of Framingham was awarded the Divisional Award for her 4.0 GPA in the Division of Business and Professional Studies, earning her Associate of Science Degree in Accounting. Seven years ago, Ana moved to the United States from Moldova and has worked hard to put herself through school. She credits her success to her desire to be a better person and build a better life. “If you really want something,” she said, “work hard and you can achieve your goals.” Hincu currently works at a telecommunications firm, but plans to pursue her bachelor’s degree in Accounting.
Medway resident Anne O’Brien was also awarded the Divisional Award for her 4.0 GPA in the Division of Business and Professional Studies, earning her Associate of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education. She taught dance and worked in childcare for several years before deciding to enroll at MassBay. O’Brien currently works at the South Middlesex Opportunity Council in Framingham as a lead teacher for pre-school aged children. She credits her academic success to her family and her strong support system, especially her mother and her boyfriend George, as well as the MassBay Faculty Professor Linda Romero for empowering her to think through solutions for juggling the multiple priorities in her life. She plans to pursue her bachelor’s degree in the near future.
Joanna Siegal of Natick was also awarded the Divisional Award for her 4.0 GPA for the Division of Business and Professional Studies, earning her Associate of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education. She is the mother of three children, ages 12, 16 and 18, and she began attending MassBay with the hopes of completing her degree before her oldest daughter started college. She fulfilled her goal, her oldest daughter will start her freshman year at Roger Williams University in the fall. Siegal credits her accomplishment to the support of her parents, her husband, and three children who cheered her on when the going got tough. “When I wanted to stop,” she said, “they kept supporting me and encouraging me.” She currently works as a director of a local childcare center and hopes to pursue a bachelor’s and master’s degree in the near future.
Hopkinton resident Amy Roberts was awarded the Divisional Award for her 3.735 GPA for the Division of Health Sciences, earning her Associate of Science Degree in Nursing. Roberts had dropped out of high school and earned her GED, a mother of two she worked for 13 years at Stop & Shop when she realized she wanted to be in a role where she could help others. She credits her success to the support and sacrifice of her partner, Dave, who went to great lengths to make sure that she could earn her degree. With his support, she stayed focused on her goal and she said, “literally gave it my all.” Roberts will take her registered nursing exam in the coming months and hopes to be employed full-time as a nurse.
Micaela Malo of Boston was awarded the Divisional Award for her 4.0 GPA for the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences, earning her Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts. She has overcome great odds to graduate, for the past 11 years, she has been in recovery from substance abuse. Malo credits her incredible success to her professors, her recovery group and her family who bolstered her throughout the years with unending support. She will attend UMass Boston to earn her bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology.
Eva Thibeault of Newton was also awarded the Divisional Award for her 4.0 GPA for the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences, earning her Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts. She is a graduate of Newton North High School, and took several years off before attending MassBay, which she says were crucial to helping better understand herself contributing to her success. Thibeault will attend Mount Holyoke College to pursue her bachelor’s degree in history and religious studies.
Franklin resident Lauren Toubeau was awarded the Divisional Award for her 3.976 GPA for the Division of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, earning an Associate of Science Degree in General Studies and a Certificate in Phlebotomy. She credits the ability to take classes on a part-time basis, while working was a key factor to her success at MassBay.
MassBay had five students earn a perfect 4.0 grade point average, earning an All-College Academic Award. The awards went to;
· Ana Hincu, from the Division of Business and Professional Studies;
· Anne O’Brien, from the Division of Business and Professional Studies;
· Joanna Siegal, from the Division of Business and Professional Studies;
· Micaela Malo, from the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences; and
· Eva Thibeault from the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences.
MassBay graduates who were awarded Divisional Awards are given $250 and All-College Academic Award winners are given $500 from the MassBay Foundation.
For more information on MassBay Community College; www.MassBay.edu.
