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Twenty-Third
Annual Commencement
Friday, June 6, 1997 Three o'clock p.m.
Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center
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Lift ev'ry voice and sing
Till earth and heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise, High as the list'ning skies.
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song ftiU of the faith that the dark past has taught us.
Sing a song ftill of the hope that the present has brought us;
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun
Let us march on till victory is won.
of^
ames Weldon Johnson
Foundation
^oard of Trustees
Dr. Donald J. Reaves, Chair
Sharif Abdal-Khallaq, Vice Chair
Dr. Mildred C. Blackman, Secretary
Harry Sterling, Jr., Treasurer
Dr. Toye Lee Brown
Alberto B. Calvo
J. Keith Motley
Pervis Ryans, Jr.
Toya M. Scott, Student Trustee
Joseph Steinfield, Esq.
Dr. Grace Carolyn Brown
President
Roxbury Community College
ward of Directors
Leon E. Wilson, President
William R. Sapers, Vice President
Charles J. Beard Esq., Treasurer
Donald E. Alhart, Esq., Asst. Treasurer
Sylvia A. McDowell, Clerk
Dr. Grace Carolyn Brown *
Sharif Abdal-Khallaq*
Minosca Alcantara, M.S.
Caroline J. Chang
Donna Harris-Lewis
Richard M. Lee
Paul J. MacKinnon
Marva F. Nathan, M.S., R.N.
Julia M. Ojeda, M.Ed.
Cassandra Anae Simmons, Ph.D.
Alvene Williams
Robert A. Williams III
Cheryle A. Wills
ex otticio
dministration
Dr. Grace Carolyn Brown
President
Charles Rubin
Executive Director of Academic &
Management Support Systems
Nadine Dowling
Chief Development Officer
Susan Allen
Dean of Student Affairs
Monica P. Bond
Dean of Curriculum & Instruction
Barbara Burgess
Dean of Enrollment Management
Paul Willenbrock
Executive Dean of Academic Affairs
Jack Whittaker
Executive Director of Planning
ns
raduation
Committee
Susan Allen
Elizabeth Clark
Doris Woods
Jeanne Ewing
Colleen Spence
Joann Wilson-Singleton
Robert Robichaud
Michael Ranaudo
Bill Polk
Justin A. Petty
Suki Choe
Ed Moussally
Alex Asare
Trudy Thompson
Gwendolyn Roscoe
Thomas C. Sweeney
Comptroller
David Murray
Director of Human Resources
David Fraizer
Executive Director of College
Operations
rogram
Processional The Adrianne Ross Quartet
Invocation The Reverend Dr. Michael Ellis
Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing Patrice Brown, J. L. Spriggs
& The Roxbury Community
College Choral Society
Welcome Dr. Donald J. Reaves,
Chairman, Board of Trustees
Recognition of Guests Dr. Grace Carolyn Brown, President
Introduction to the Student Speaker. Barbara Burgess, Dean of
Enrollment Management
Student Speaker. Chesterfield Coppin
Introduction of Commencement Speaker. Dr. Mildred C. Blackman
Commencement Address The Honorable Representative
Shirley Owens Hicks
Thank you to the Commencement Speaker...,. P^^^/ Willenbrock, Executive Dean
of Academic Affairs
Charge to the College Dr. Donald Reaves
Presentation of Degree Candidates Susan Allen, Dean of Student Affairs
Introduction to Rites of Passage Board of Trustee Member
Rites of Passage Drum Song Brother Joe
Conferral of Degrees Dr Grace Carolyn Brown, President
Presentation of Certificates Monica Bond, Dean of
Curriculum & Instruction
Conferral of Certificates Dr. Grace Carolyn Brown, President
Introduction of the vocal selection Board of Trustees Member
Vocal Selection "Home" Patrice Brown, J. L.Spriggs,
Marquita Morrisey &
Andrew Dorsett at keyboard
Recognition of Scholarship Recipients William R. Sapers, Vice President,
RCC Foundation
Presentation of the NABA Award Leighton H. Richardson,
Past President of NABA,
Scholarship Committee Chair
Words of Inspiration Board of Trustee Member
Alumni Charge Cindy Walker, Class of 1988
Benediction The Reverend Dr Michael Ellis
Recessional, Drumming Song by Brother Joe
Reception immediately following ceremony, Music by Culture Jam
Secondfloor
Roxbury Community College Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center
Special Thanks:
Refreshments by The Elegant Concession Group Inc.
Vlowers hy Ambience
Balloons by Tellebelles
Room decorations by Elizabeth Clark
andidates for \^:/egrees
Associate of Arts
Brenda I. Acajabon*
Celestina N. Agudozie
Jamil Akbar
Abdullah O. Alqshere
Jose Amaro Amaro*
Vonette B. Anglin
Fekerte Azbite*
Andrea Benitez
Kenyola E. Bennett*
Samaria J. Brown*
Dominico Cabral*
Clara Cabral*
Antoinette Tara Chabilal
Olivia D. Chacon*
Fachetty Andre Chalumeau*
Peter Shane Chandler*
Sandra S. Cherubin
Ibette Cirino*
Florence I. Craig
Naomi L. Crumb*
Chesterfield Ricardo Daniel-Coppin*
Pierre Andre Deligent
ThuyetT. Doan
Garry Gerard Dorcent
Sandra Isabel Edwards*
Kenya Afi Edwards
Ruby Obiageliaku Egegbara*
Wilfi-edo Feliciano
Mayra Figueroa*
Malcolm Abongwe Fombu*
Christabel U. Fombu
Cleve Alexis Frederick
LaQuina E. Garvin
Frehiwot Gebrehiwot
Tebe Afewerki Ghebreezghi*
Omayra Gonzalez*
Ruthie M. Graham*
Clarisa Guzman
Genene Habtemariam*
Lavett Aurellia Holloman*
Desmond E. Jacks
Jims D. Jean Jacques*
Ludwine D. Jean Jacques*
Elou Joseph*
Pierre Joseph
Kevin Andrew Kelly
Teeta B.Y. Kpolar*
Antoine Lee- Wesley Lafontant'*
Shelly-Ann A. Lewis
Regina L. Lewis*
Michael Coleman Lydon*
Pamela Rudo Masunda*
Abdilahi A. Mohamed
Mohamoud Y. Mohamoud*
Alex Tadeu Monteiro*
Callixtus Azemnzi Muanya
Vayamena Nemorin*
Ethel M. Nixon*
Inokpoare I. Okoawo*
Olga Ordonez
Mauricio Pena*
Christophine Djomumessi Penka
Immacula Pierre*
Grenvile Lloyd Pusey
Patricia E. Quinonez
Berony Raysan
Ernestine A. Reams
Jhimps Richard
Juanita Richardson-Searls
Genda Roach
Frances Jean Rowell-Darden
Elliot Keith Scott
Junior Senat*
Kiowe Obi Smith*
Veronica Kay Spriggs
Fannie L. Stewart
Derrick O. Stewart*
Linda A. Sweeney*
Luis Andrade Tavares*
Emilia N. Udok-Anaka*
Tsige B. Washun*
Jay R. Withers
Associate of Science
Miriam Grace Acajabon*
NurJ. Adam
Dolores Juanita Agbortoko
Suline Marie Alexandre*
Valerie Alfred*
Deborah Deb Aponte*
Elizabeth J. Belfon
Sandra A. Bowden*
Vivian A. Brooks*
Charles Alexander Browne
Carleen K.M. Cameron
Ada Nora Caraballo
Darlene Carter
Ingrid J. Castillo*
Wilson Cespedes
Janice C. Chandler
Chun L. Chang*
Cheryl E. Chavis
Christina Chirlaine Cheek
Eddy Colin
Chequetta Culbreath*
Kodjo S. Dami
Chesterfield Ricardo Daniel-Copp
Berline Dautruche*
Theresa A. Davis*
Maria De Foster*
Providencia Diaz
Nesso Dubuisson
Diane Barbara Fagan
Altagracia Felipe- Victoriano
Denise Ferreira-Daly*
Musa K. Fofana*
Brian C.L. Forde Sr.
Neville W. Francis
Allyson Franklin-Rose
Anne Marie Denise Gaston
Elsie Gonzalez
Carmen Gonzalez
Ruthie M. Graham*
Paulette W. Greene- Wallace
Christa O. Gumbs-Kirby
Krista Lynn Hale
Angela Concepcion Henriquez"
Tayna O. Husbands
Indrique Izidore*
Teila Jenkins
Marie M. Jules*
Maritza A. Juliao
Albertha Kangal
Sylvie Alliance Kouanya
Soching Agnes Lam
Dawn Marie Lanza*
Eva E. Lewis*
Angela Lister
Glen A. Lomax
Alicia Marie Lopes
Antoine Jumel Loreus*
Chan Juan Luo
Marie Raphael MacDowell
Sergo Maigna
Roseller S. Mangilog
Jean Josue Marius
Pedro A. Martinez
Lillian McCoy
Mary J. Miller*
Gail Mitchell*
Shelia Marie Mixon
Robyn Renee Murphy*
Henry Nieves
Shane D. Nixon*
Peter Uchenna Obijiaku
Osebhajajeme R.A.E. Okoawo*
Linda Marie Owens*
Listra Paul
Lesbia Mercedes Paulino
EridaniaJ. Peralta*
Viriato Gomes Pereira
Alexandra Herminia Perez*
Margarita]. Pimentel
Pierre-Andre Pompilus*
Felisha R. Potter*
Janice L. Powell-Graham
Grenville Lloyd Pusey*
Sharon Tricia Quashie
Guy Carlo B. Ramel
Jankee Chabilal Ramos
Luz Reyes*
Lethia M. Rhodes
Eric Shaler Richards
Maria A. Rivera*
Sheila Ann Rochelle
Gwendolyn D. Roscoe*
Sheila Ursula Royer*
Reyna M. Salazar
Maricel Santiago
June M.E. Shillingford
Boris M. Shimmer
Mary Bridget Sinclair
Maybelline Sleebo Sinue
Charles R. Ussery, Sr.*
Lillian Altagracia Valera*
Evelyn Velazquez*
Jean Leonard Villard
Coles Voyard
Cathy Veronica Washington*
Sara L. Yee*
Rachel Olayemi Yerokun
Karen N. Young*
Edward Yeh*
* Candidates designated as
Walkers. These students have one
or two courses to complete before
receiving their degree.
^4^andidates for ^-{Certificates
Computer Information Systems
Pierre-Andre Pompitus
Nur J. Adam
Ada Nora Caraballo
IngridJ. Castillo
Sergo Maigna
Lesbia Mercedes Paulino
Maricel Santiago
Word Processing
Alexandra Baez
Junie Armand
Rosa H. Baez
Janice C. Chandler
Chun L. Chang
Christina Chirlaine Cheek
Denise Ferreira-Daly
Carmen Gonzalez
Marie Rafael MacDowell
Edna Damaris Martinez- Ay ala
Altagracia P. Mayers
Listra Paul
Enid Pizzarro
Mary B. Sinclair
Elvia Thermora
Lillian Altagracia Valera
Ojfice Technology
Falguni Barua
Maria M. Campbell
Marie-Myrtha Dorsainvil
Judith M. Quintana
Amanda Turner
Veronica Y. Valdez
Bookkeeping
Mayra Abigail Cruz
Charlette Richardson
Computer Assisted Design
Callixtus Azemnzi Muanya
cholarships and K^\wards
The Business Club at RCC Award $100
This is the first scholarship/award that the Business Club at RCC is awarding. This
marks the beginning of a tradition of recognizing deserving graduating Business
Club Members. This award recognizes academic excellence, leadership, and contri-
butions made to the RCC community. The 1997 recipients for this award are
Michael Lydon and Laquina Garvin.
The Thomas Lowe Award $250
This award is presented to Dianne Fagan, whose academic achievement and service
to the community and the College exemplify the mission of Roxbury Community
College.
Francina E. Copeland Gelzer Endowed Scholarship $250
Given in honor of a resident of the Greater Roxbury community with a strong
commitment to education, this award is presented to Clara Cabral on the basis of
her outstanding scholastic achievement.
The NABA (National Association of Black Accountants)
Boston Metropolitan Chapter $2500
NABA has established a tradition of giving scholarships to students in the field of
finance/accounting. In continuation of this tradition, The Boston Chapter in col-
laboration with its corporate partners has awarded one of these scholarships to a
deserving business student at Roxbury Community College. This is a competitive
scholarship. The recipient of this award in 1997 is Kiowe O. Smith, Business Club
President.
The Claudia J. Tucker Award $500
Given annually in memory of the mother of RCC professor Dr. Royal C. Tucker,
this award is presented to an outstanding RCC transfer graduate. The 1997 recipi-
ent is Peter Chandler.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship $500
This scholarship, established in memory of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is
awarded to one RCC student in 1997. The recipient of this award is Veronica
Spriggs for her academic excellence in the field of Social Science.
James Henry Caesar Endowed Scholarship $500
This scholarship was established in 1986 by a Roxbury resident in payment for the
opportunities this country and community have given to him and is awarded to a
talented RCC student from the Roxbur)'- community. The 1997 recipient of the
James Henry Caesar Endowed Scholarship is Alex Monteiro.
Letitia Garofalo Endowed Memorial Scholarship $500
Established by a native of Quincy, Massachusetts who used her knowledge of lan-
guages to live and work in communities around the world, this endowed memorial
scholarship is awarded to 1997 RCC graduate,
Juanita Richardson Searls.
Alise Rostan Dowling Scholarship $750
The scholarship established in the memory of Alise Rostan Dowling, is awarded to
a student who is planning to enroll or is currently enrolled in the Nursing
Program. The recipient for 1997 is Lydya Matombo.
Hiram Grand Lodge & Bay State Grand Chapter, O.E.S.
Outstanding Female Graduate Award $1,000
This special award is presented through the generosity of the Most Worshipful
Hiram Grand Lodge A.E & A.M., Inc. and the Bay State Grand Chapter, O.E.S.
to the female member of the 1997 graduating class whom the faculty has selected
on the basis of both academic achievement and service to the College and commu-
nity. The 1 997 recipient of the award is Antoinette Chabilal.
Hiram Grand Lodge & Bay State Grand Chapter, O.E.S.
Outstanding Male Graduate Award $1,000
This award is presented to the male member of the 1 997 graduating class whom
the faculty has selected on the basis of both academic achievement and service to
the College and community. The 1997 recipient of the Hiram Grand Lodge &
Bay State Grand Chapter, O.E.S. Outstanding Male Graduate Award is Kiowe O.
Smith.
The Elizabeth "Betty" Johnson Award $1,000
Given annually in memory of one of the original members of RCC's Board of
Trustees, the Betty Johnson Award is presented to the graduating
student who has earned the highest cumulative grade point average (GPA) and a
minimum of 50 credits at Roxbury Community College. The award is one of the
most prestigious scholarships presented at the RCC graduation ceremony. The
recipient is valedictorian of the Roxbury Community College Class of 1997. This
year, the honor is presented to Elizabeth K. Johnson.
The Sapers Scholars Award $2,000
Through the generosity of the William R. Sapers family of Boston, ten awards will
be offered to 1 997 RCC graduates who transfer to an accredited four-year college.
This special "50-50" award includes a $1,000 transfer loan (50%). The recipents
of this award for 1997 are Peter Chandler, Sandra Cherubin, Chesterfield Coppin,
Janice Powell-Graham, Teeta Kpolar, Antoine Lafontant, Soching Lam, Glen
Lomax, Eric Shaler Richards, and Veronica Spriggs.
The Leadership Alliance Scholarship (with New England Colleges Fund)
Antoinette Chabilal to attend Tufts University
Kiowe Obi Smith to attend Stonehill College
The Science Department selection for Tufts Environmental
Futures Fund Scholarship
Frehiwot Gebrehiwot
Abdilahi Mohamed
Scholarship & Honors Commitee s recomendations for transfer scholarships
from outside institutions:
Foster Furcolo Scholarship, UMass, Boston
Clarisa Guzman
New England transfer Association
Peter Chandler
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Nur Adam
Ludwine Jean Jacques
Nominees for the Boston University by RCC Scholarship
Jims Devis Jean Jacques
Juanita Richardson Searls
epartmental (Scholarships
Departmental scholarships are presented to graduating students for out-
standing academic achievement in a specific field of study. The following
students are awarded.
Departmental Scholarships $300
Janice Powell Graham
Chan Juan Luo
Chesterfield Daniel-Coppin
Florence Craig
Nesso Dubuisson
Ruthie Graham
Nur J. Adam
Maricel Santiago
Luz Reyes
Maria Rivera
Linda Owens
Janice Chandler
Eric Shaler Richards
Sheila Royer
Antoinette Chabilal
Frehiwot Gebrehiwot
Luis Tavares
Fachetry Chalumeau
Callixtus Muanya
Eddy Colin
Sylvie Kouanya
Reseller Mangilog
Boris Shimmer
Vonette Anglin
Sandra Cherubin
Ludwine Jean Jacques
Christopher Penka
Clara Cabral
Garry Dorcent
Abdilahi Mohamed
Pierre Deligent
Yolanda E. Funderburg
Frances Rowell-Darden
Accounting
Accounting
Business Administration
Business Administration
Business Management
Business Management
Computer Information Systems
Computer Information Systems
Executive Secretary
Medical Secretary
Legal Secretary
Word Processing
Early Childhood Education
Early Childhood Education
Biological Science
Biological Science
Biological Science
Mathematics
Computer-Assisted Drafting
Nursing
Nursing
Nursing
Nursing
Pre-Nursing
Pre-Nursing
Pre-Nursing
Pre-Nursing
Liberal Arts
Liberal Arts
Liberal Arts
Social Science
Social Science
Social Science
cadi
emtc
egalia
The caps, gowns and hoods of the academic procession date back to the Middle Ages, when they were
common dress for scholars. Monks and students wore them to keep warm in the damp and drafty 12th
century European castles and halls of learning.
The bachelors gown has a pleated front and long, pointed sleeves. The master's gown, which may be
worn open, is distinguishable by its long square sleeves. The doctor's gown is trimmed with velvet pan-
els and has three velvet bars on the bell shaped sleeves.
The hood provides the color, contrast and symbolism of the procession. Certain colors became associ-
ated with particular areas of knowledge. For example, the hood border worn by a doctor of theology
was red, a color associated with the Catholic Church; a medical doctor wears a green border, after the
healing powers of medicinal herbs.
In Europe, a uniform color system never developed. However in the United States, an intercollegiate
committee meeting in 1895 decided upon uniform color standards, assigning a specific color to each
field of study.
Departmental Colors of Faculty Members' Hoods & Tassels
Agriculture
Maize
Arts, Humanities
White
Chiropractic
Silver Gray
Dentistry
Lilac
Economics
Copper
Education
Light Blue
Fine Arts
Brown
Journalism
Crimson
Law
Purple
Library Science
Lemon
Medicine
Green
Music
Pink
Nursing
Apricot
Pharmacy
Olive Green
Philosophy
Dark Blue
Science
Golden Yellow
Social Work
Citron
Theology
Scarlet
ommencement K^ddress
The Honorable Representative Shirley Owens-Hicks
Shirley Owens-Hicks is currently serving her sixth term as a member of the
Massachusetts House of Representatives. At the beginning of her first term, in
1987, Representative Owens-Hicks was among those profiled in Boston Magazine
as "A Face to Watch." Those who have watched her political development over the
years have continued to appreciate her steady accomplishments and her quiet
strength.
A member of the House Committee on Ways and Means and The Committee
on Election Laws, Representative Owens-Hicks has held a number of leadership
positions during her legislative career. She made history by serving as Chairwoman
of The Committee on Education, Arts and the Humanities, the first African-
American and the first woman to hold this position. She has served also as
Chairwoman of the Committee on Federal Financial Assistance, The Special
Commission on Long-Term Care Services for the Elderly, The Task Force on
Women in Poverty, and The Massachusetts Black Legislative Caucus.
A former elected member of the Boston School Committee, Representative
Owens-Hicks continues to draw upon the political insight, issues expertise, and
concern for her constituents developed during that 1984-1988 tenure. She is con-
sistent in her strong advocacy on behalf of African-Americans and other people of
color, children, senior citizens, the poor, the unempowered, the disenfranchised
and dispossessed. Legislative and budget priorities include educatio, violence pre-
vention, human services, employment, economic development, affordable housing,
health care, public safety and affirmative action. Additionally the viability of com-
munity agencies and Neighborhood Health Centers receive special attention.
Representative Owens-Hicks is a former President/CEO of Urban League of
Eastern Massachusetts and Counselor at University of Massachusetts at Boston.
She attended Boston University and Harvard University Graduate School of
Education, where she earned a Masters degree in Education. She is the mother of
two daughters and a grandmother of three grandchildren. Representing the 6th
Suffolk District, she resides in Mattapan.
Roxbury Community College
1 234 Columbus Avenue
Roxbury Crossing, MA 021 20
Telephone (617) 427-0060
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