Berkshire County College Students Among '29 Who Shine'
 Raymond Dunham and Doris Behanzin were also awarded certificates from the Senate and House by state Sen. Benjamin B. Downing and state Rep. Gailanne Cariddi. |
BOSTON — Two students attending college in the Berkshires have been named among the 29 Who Shine Award winners, an honor given to a student from each of public colleges and universities.
This year's winners include Raymond Dunham of Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield and Doris Behanzin of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams.
"Each one of these students has a remarkable story to tell," said Gov. Deval Patrick. "Collectively, they remind us that investing in them is investing in our future."
The governor presented the awards on Thursday at the State House. Each of the 29 public college and university campuses selected its own student honoree for an award based on criteria established by the state Department of Higher Education. Students considered for the recognition needed to demonstrate a strong academic record, have made a contribution to the civic well-being of the commonwealth, and be Massachusetts residents who intend to remain in the state upon graduation.
Dunham, 46, is a father of six who found himself at a crossroads in his life when he suffered a serious injury on the job. According to his short biography on the award website, two of his daughters encouraged him to go back to school. Since then, the honor student has become a role model for his children and others at BCC. He has been a Student Government ambassador and a student representative on the board of trustees. A criminal justice major, he will continue his studies next fall at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst with the goal of earning a law degree.
Behanzin has been a mentor and leader at MCLA and in the surrounding community. As an AmeriCorps Student Leaders in Service Scholar, she's worked with the programs in Pittsfield to provided support, mentoring and leadership development for young women and at the Mohawk Forest housing community in North Adams, helping with development activities for youth. She graduates this month will a degree in sociology, anthropology and criminal justice and plans to volunteer with AmeriCorps before graduate school, hoping to later work in humanitarian law.
"Our data tell us that one year after graduation, nine out of every 10 public college and university students remain here in Massachusetts, living and working or furthering their studies," said Commissioner of Higher Education Richard M. Freeland. "These students truly represent the future citizenry and work force of the state. They are very high caliber, a sign that our future appears to be in good hands."
Tags: academic award, BCC, MCLA, State House,
