As Good As Gold: BCC Holds 50th Commencement Exercises
 It was a night featuring plenty of hugs as Berkshire Community College celebrated its 2010 graduates. |
She chose only two.
Oates, assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Labor and former adviser to the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, chose Berkshire Community College as one of her two selections, and she gave the keynote speech during BCC's 50th commencement on Friday night at Tanglewood.
BCC was the first community college established in Massachusetts and, as it's printed on the cover of the 2010 graduation program, the school is the "First to 50."
"This college has strong roots," Oates said to BCC's newest graduates. "It led the way in a state that's known internationally for the high-quality of higher-education programs. Berkshire Community College is, and always has been, and always will be, No. 1. It's the first, and I bet you would all tell me it's the best."
 BCC President Paul E. Raverta speaks with Jane Oates, assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Labor, following Thursday's ceremony. |
Other notable speakers at BCC's golden anniversary were BCC President Paul E. Raverta, state Rep. William "Smitty" Pignatelli, D-Lenox, and Pittsfield Mayor James M. Ruberto.
"It is because of BCC that, not just Pittsfield, but all of Berkshire County is an enriched community," Ruberto said.
The valedictorian address was provided by 26-year-old Kendal Lenihan, who graduated with a 3.97 grade-point average with an associate's in liberal arts. Before attending BCC, Lenihan was a single mother with no direction. The idea of going back to school terrified her so much that she considered "drinking a glass of wine" before her first class.
Lenihan, a graduate of Taconic High School, said she found inspiration in her mother, who had also returned to school after a lengthy absence. She said that her son, Cameron, was a motivating presence with sayings like, "the only one smarter than my mom is God."
The college's campus quelled her fears by offering a "nourishing and stimulating" environment.
 Kendal Lenihan |
Lenihan will attend Mount Holyoke College in the fall with a major in political science. She hopes to attend law school after graduating in 2012. She said that BCC instilled the confidence she needed in order to follow her dreams — no matter what the obstacles.
"BCC is unique for so many reasons, but one essential reason is that BCC is accessible to all people, whether old or young, rich or poor," she said. "BCC represents society and, in turn, allows us all to learn not only in our classes, but through each other."
Oates, who took an overnight flight from the West Coast in order to make Friday's ceremony, said Berkshire County is the perfect setting for an aspiring mind.
"Talent is a part of this community, and it has been for hundreds of years," she said. "Artists came here to paint, writers came here to get their inspiration, and you came her to get your education for the next step."
Several awards and honors were presented to individuals who have made a significant impact on BCC:
► Andrew Miller, who has taught at BCC for 21 years, was elevated to the rank of professor emeritus, which is given to faculty members who have met a number of challenging criteria.
► Art Sherman received one of the 2010 BCC President's Awards. Since 1998, Sherman has been involved with Berkshire Institute of Lifetime Learning (BILL), which became Osher Lifetime Learning Institute (OLLI) when the program became part of BCC. OLLI was instrumental in the college receiving a $1 million endowment from the Osher Foundation.
► Emily Jahn also was awarded a President's Award. Jahn has worked for BCC the past 37 years and has served on numerous committees, with the goal of improving instruction and the delivery of education to students.
