BCC Graduates Recognize Community, Support on Campus
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College held its 61st commencement ceremony virtually on Friday, presenting 180 associate degrees and 91 certificates to 238 students.
Speakers recognized the community that BCC provides and the importance of support from friends, family, and the college itself.
Preceding the virtual ceremony — which was broadcasted on Pittsfield Community Television — was a campus drive-thru ceremony to offer graduates a socially distant, in-person celebration.
A majority of the graduates reside within the state, some from Connecticut and New York, and one graduate was from the state of Florida.
Valedictorian Marybelle Burns, who recently moved to the Berkshires from Tucson, Ariz., said she "fell in love with the natural beauty and community" she found in the county and at BCC.
"BCC is a place where everyone is welcome, and we are each given the power to explore what brings us happiness," she said. "Some of my favorite times were the holiday meals, dancing, crafts, and barbecues in the quad that brought us all together."
Burns earned a associate of science degree in nursing with a 4.0 grade-point average. She appreciated the fine arts side of campus as well, enjoying productions at the Robert Boland Theatre such as "Next to Normal" and "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" and participating in the biannual art show in 2019.
"I look at this college as a community where you can simply explore and make connections," she concluded. "You do not need to know what your passion is to start the journey of being a lifelong learner, just stay kind, curious, and conscientious."
Salutatorian Nicole Rivera hopes that as her fellow graduates celebrate their achievements, they also celebrate those who accompanied them on their journeys such as friends, family, and educators.
Rivera moved to the Berkshires from Ecuador in 2008 and attended Pittsfield High School, where she worked to understand a new culture and language. She earned a certificate in medical interpreting in 2014 and a certificate in human services in 2020.
She graduated on Friday with an associate of science degree in human services with a 3.983 GPA.
"As I look back at my own journey, I am filled with emotions of sincere gratitude, gratitude to my parents, who left their native country years ago in search of better opportunities, gratitude to my family and friends for believing in me and never letting me give up gratitude to every person who envisioned more for me than I envisioned for myself," Rivera said.
"My deepest appreciation goes to all of you, because thanks to you, I stand here today to tell you, your family, your children, and my children, that no matter where you come from, what language you speak, or the limitations you put on for yourself. You have what it takes to make your dreams come true. You are strong enough, you are capable enough and you will accomplish what you set to do."
BCC President Ellen Kennedy acknowledged the COVID-19 pandemic’s effect on learning institutions and how it challenged them to think in different ways. A "very real" outcome of the past year, she said, is reimagining how education is delivered.
"A year ago, we may have imagined that virtual commencements would be unique to that moment, and by now, our lives would have returned to the normal we previously knew. A year later, we have been challenged in ways we could only have imagined. And I think all of us have been affected in ways large or small, that will be with us forever," she said.
"We have learned to learn in different ways. We've learned to teach in different ways, our personal and professional relationships have evolved, and the concept of work has a new and different meaning. as painful as it has been to endure these changes. The pandemic has given us the opportunity to challenge old norms to see what we do through a different lens and to apply what we've learned to life after COVID."
Retired professor of engineering and technology Gary Bradway was recognized as professor emeritus at the commencement. He joined the college in 1986 and served as a faculty member and department chair until 2020.
His enthusiasm about the engineering program is said to be contagious and, in 2014, he launched an Intro to Engineering course at BCC to acclimate students to the program.
Member of the BCC Board of Trustees, chair of the Alumni Board of Directors, and member of the BCC class of 1989 Melissa Myers closed the ceremony by congratulating the class of 2021.
"Welcome to the club," she said. "You're now one of many alumni whose lives have been enriched by their experiences at BCC. No matter what your circumstances, I have no doubt that you’ve had help to get to this goal. BCC and your support system were there when you were ready and needed them."
In the ceremony, fine arts music student Leah Najimy sang a rendering of the national anthem and the Berkshire Highlanders provided a celebratory musical opening.
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