Roxbury Community College 27th Commencement

Roxbury Community
College

27"* Commencement
7 June 2002

12:00 NOON

Roxbury Community College
Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center

Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing

Lift ev'ry voice and sing

Till earth and heaven ring,

Ring v/ith 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 full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,

Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;

Facing the rising sun of our new day begun

Let us march on 'til victory is won.

James Weldon Johnson
1871-1938

PROGRAM

Prelude

Processional

The audience is requested to remain seated during the processional for students and
faculty. Music provided by Dr. John J. Weeks.
Color Guard will post the colors.

Invocation

Reverend Dr. Michael Ellis

Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing

Nina Sequira. vocalist

Greetings from the President

Randolph W. Bronieiy. Ph.D., Interim President

Greetings from the Alumni

Cindy Walker, class of 1 988, Alumni President

Student Address

Sydonya E. Barker, Valedictorian

Commencement Address

Vonetta Flowers, Recipient of Gold Medal Winter Olympics 2002

Presentation of the President's Awards for Distinguished Service
Community Service Award

Royal L. Boiling, Sr., Senator

Academic Leadership Award

Marcellette G. Williams, Interim Chancellor, University of Massachusetts

President's Award Address

Marcellette G. Williams, Interim Chancellor, University of Massachusetts

Don't Give Up

Nina Sequira, vocalist

Conferring of Degrees and Certificates

Authorization of tlie Board of Trustees

Harry Sterling, Jr., Chair, Board of Trustees

Introduction of Degree and Certificate Candidates

Presided by Provost Janis W. Jones, Ed.D.

Candidates for Associate of Arts degree introduced by Marshall Hughes, Associate Dean
Candidates for Associate of Science degree introduced by Jane Aswell, Ph.D., Dean
Candidates for Certificates with specification introduced by Walter Silva, Dean

Conferring of Degrees and Certificates

Randolph W. Bromer}', Ph.D., Interim President

Presentation of Degrees and Certificates to the Students

Harry Sterling. Jr., Chair, Board of Trustees

Randolph W. Bromeiy, Ph.D.. Interim President

Rudolph Jones, Ed.D., Dean and Acting Special Assistant to the President

Eleanor Rollins, Dean

President's Charge to Graduating Class of 2002

Randolph W. Bromery, Ph.D., Interim President

Benediction

Reverend Dr. Michael Ellis

Recessional

Tlie audience is requested to remain seated during the recessional and is invited
immediately after the ceremony to a reception in the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic
Center Field House.

Commencement Speaker
Vonetta Flowers

Vonetta Flowers is the first African American to win a gold medal at the Winter
Olympics. In the 2002 Winter Olympics, Flowers and her partner Jill Bakken became
the first American women to win a gold medal in the bobsled competition. Their
gold medal represents the first bobsled medal won by any American since 1948.

Flowers is a twenty-eight-year-old track star who has been in the bobsled sport for
slightly more than a year and had only two weeks of training on how to push a
bobsled. After sliding down the Olympic course at a speed of 80 miles per hour,
Vonetta Flowers, in the first women's bobsled competition in the Olympics, rose
from a pre-Olympic second standing to the recipient of a gold medal.

According to Flowers, "I am so blessed to be here, to win a gold medal for your
country is simply awesome. Hopefully, this will encourage other African American
boys and girls to give winter sports a try." After finishing twelfth in the long jump
in the U.S. Olympic Trials, Flowers was persuaded to attend the bobsled tryouts
and then decided to try-it-out. At that time the only thing she knew about the
Winter Olympics was the movie Cool Running.

Flowers is a three-time member of the United States Olympic Festival Team, winning
the long jump in 1994 and the one-hundred-meter relay in 1995. She has qualified
nine times in the USATF National Championships and ranked in the top ten in the
nation three times for the long jump. Currently Ms. Flowers is Assistant Track
coach at the University of Alabama.

Presentation of President's Awards for Distinguished Service
Community Service
Royal L. BoUing, Sr.

Early in the career of Senator Royal L. Boiling, Sr., he recognized the importance of
providing educational opportunities for young people and in 1967 assisted the
black faculty at the University of Massachusetts Amherst to establish the
Committee for the Collegiate Education of Black Students program (CCEBS). This
program made it possible for thousands of African- American students to fulfill
their dreams of graduating from college. Many of the CCEBS graduates were the
first members in their family to receive a college degree.

The Senator realized the importance of local community colleges. He recognized
that there were community colleges in nearly every district except our community.
Boiling wanted "Roxbury Community College to have a permanent first class site
and not continue to be located in the various undesirable locations."

Once he formulated the concept of Roxbury Community College, Senator Boiling
led the fight to secure $250,000 in state funds for the development of a site. The
early seed money provided the foundation and guaranteed future budget
allocations. Roxbury Community College was readily endorsed by the legislatures,
educators, community leaders, and the public-at-large.

After nearly thirty years of public service to the community, Roxbury Community
College is an established and respected institution of higher education. Senator
Royal L. Boiling, Sr.'s dream has been realized, and his hard work has evolved into
a higher education reality for this community.

Presentation of President's Awards for Distinguished Service
Academic Leadership
Marcellette G. Williams

Marcellette Williams is the Interim Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts
Amherst. Williams has been described by her predecessor, David Scott, as a catalyst
for change and growth.

In addition. Dr. Williams' current research focuses on the study of the language of
leadership; its metaphors and other dimensions of rhetoric; and its capacity to
persuade, motivate, and renew. Dr. Williams, a Phi Beta Kappa graduate, has earned
a B.A. with Highest Honor in Comparative Literature, an M.A. in English and
Comparative Literature, and a Ph.D. in English from Michigan State University.

Prior to leading the University of Massachusetts, Dr. Williams held a variety of
administrative and academic positions at Michigan State University. For almost a
decade she taught and consulted throughout Asia and Europe through Michigan
State University's education overseas program. Williams has held major offices in
professional associations including the National Council of Fellows of the American
Council on Education.

When asked by the Minuteman Newspaper what her greatest attribute was, she
responded, "a love of learning and enabling others to learn for themselves." Dr.
Williams recounts the time in Asia, as a period of self learning where she found the
trips enabled her to see that we are more alike than different, with similar goals, and
with the same dreams for our children and for ourselves. "It allowed me to learn
about myself and especially about myself as part of the world."

Degrees in Course

Degrees are presented in the following order.

Associate of Arts

Maryam R. Abdul- Rahim

Business Administration

Zendai Abe

General Concentration

Lidya H. Abraha
Mathematics

Elizabeth Acosta
General Concentj-ation

Ola T. Adamson

Biological Science

Oluranti Adenike Adepoju
Biological Science

Christelle A. Ahyee
General Concentration

Prisca A. Ahyee
General Concentration

Lisa M. Archer
General Concentration

Sydonya E. Barker
General Concentration

Mahlet G. Bejiga
Social Science

Kimberly Bemice Benders
General Concentration

Ramon B. Bonifacio
Biisijtess Administration

Tanycha Enid Bonilla

General Concenti-ation

Valerie A. Carrington
Business Administration

Melissa Chang
PreNursing

Juan L. Colon
Pre-Engineering

Brodrick Egodogbere
Pre-Engineering

Tikeysha N. Ellis
General Concentration

Annette Estrada
General Concentration

Stanley FanFan
Business Administration

Ayodele O. Fashakin
Business Administration

Meaza H. Fisseha
General Concentration

Medhin Getachew Gebreamlak
Pre-Engineering

Almaz T. Gidey
General Concentration

Rosilia Gomez
Biological Science

Sixto Goncalves
Physical Science

Marilu Govani
Biological Science

Carey L. Harris, Jr.
Social Science

Roxann C. Harvey
Social Science

Jane I. Ibeanu
Biological Science

Dahalia N. Jackson
General Concentration

Cris John
Social Science

Titina Kim Johnson
Business Administration

Delourdes Joseph
General Concentration

Tshila Chantal Kanonga
General Concentration

Yalemzewd Kebede
Biological Science

Jean Claude T. Leonidas
Business Administration
General Concentration

Olga Lev

General Concentration

Larry Gene Little
Business Administration

Ronald D. McCormick
General Concentration

Marvia Rosemarie McDonald-Dias
PreNursing

Salete S. Monteiro
General Concentration

Geraldine T. Naranjo
General Concentration

Dumazo N. Ngesina
General Concentration

Karla Nunez

PreNursing

Francis K. Nyante
Social Science

Francia H. Ortiz
General Concentration

Claudia J. Paredes
Business Administration

Caroline D. Phillips
Business Administration

Carl Edgard Pierre
General Concentration

Rose L. Plaisival
PreNursing

Galina Gennadyevna Putyatina
General Concentration

Diego Rodriguez
Social Science

Heidi G. Rubiera
General Concentration

Marcy M. Ruggiero
General Concentration

Lester M. Simmons
Business Administration

Krishawna M. Smith
Social Science

Norka I. Soto-Romero
General Concentration

Michelet Thenor
Business Administration

Melanie Marie Thomas
General Concentration

Gary Toussaint
General Concentration

Myrjana M. Toussaint
General Concentration

Nkechi A. Uchendu
General Concentration

Sonia S. Villaroel
Business Administrationi

Sahra A. Warfa

Pre-Nursing

Mika Watanabe

Musical Arts

Letisha Renee Williams
General Concentration

Marva V. Williams
Biological Science

Amani Brent Wilson

Business Administration

Michelle Wilson

Pre-Nursing

Christopher G. Womack

Social Science

Gloria L. Zapata
General Concentration

Associate of Science

Frances A. Achuo

Computer Information Systems

Etta C. Aljoe-Fennell

Nursing

Arthur Almeda
Accounting

Roshni Armaday-Martin
Office Administration

Carmen Elisa Atehortua

Nursing

Madeleine Aubourg
Computer Information Systems

Oimia D. Autar
Criminal Justice

Vjollca Avrami

Computer Information Systems

Krishaunna A. Baptiste
Criminal Justice

Sheila H. Barbosa

Early Childhood Education

Claudia M. Bardales
Computer Information Systems

Jeanne Penney Barrett
Early Childhood Education

Rebecca Bekele

Computer Information Systems

Michael Benitez
Business Management

Eunice N. Bisong

Computer Information Systems

Unia Bizzle

Early Childhood Education

Steven Brigham

Computer Information Systems

Jeremi T. Browne

Computer Information Systems

Michelle Maria Burnett
Business Management

Valerie A. Carrington
Business Management

Karina Castillo

Computer Information Systems

John W. Chery
Criminal Justice

Nikenson Compte

Computer Information Systems

Samuel Comely

Computer Information Systems

Steve Donald Desmangles

Nursing

La Veme Lydia Dickson

Nursing

Antoine A.D. Dominique
Accounting

Natacha Dominique
Nursing

Loma Dunn-Folkes
Nursing

Juimene S. Exposito

Nursing

Gertrude Carol Eason

Early Childhood Education

Priscilla Epps

Early Childhood Education

Josefina J. Escolastico
Microcomputer Applications

Juimene S. Exposito

Nursing

Angeline Fleurilus

Early Childhood Education

Sonia Rosemarie Forbes
Nursing

Kelley Jean Freeman

Nursing

Mulu T. Gedlu
Nursing

Mahlet A. Gessese
Computer Information Systems

Roselia Gomez

Early Childhood Education

Sampierre E.V.C Gomez
Accounting

Maria Rosario Grajeda
Accounting

Yvonne B Gutierrez

Nursing

Elaine A. Henry

Computer Information Systems

Ingrid R. Henry
Accounting

Febe I. Herrera

Early Childhood Education

Dahalia N. Jackson
Microcomputer Applications

Erika Y. Jimenez
Criminal Justice

Clarence G. Johnson
Accounting

Damien K. Johnson

Business Management

Bruce E. Jordan

Computer Information Systems

Abner Joseph
Accounting

Alexander Kamenetsky

Nursing

Edward D. Katongole
Microcomputer Applications

Ping T. Lai

Computer Information Systems

On Nai Lai

Early Childhood Education

Laurie Lamy
Criminal Justice

Jose Luis Laureano
Accounting

Linda L. Lee

Business Management

Andrae Alneal Lewis
Nursing

Yathar Li
Accounting

Florence Lindor

Early Childhood Education

Yvette Long
Nursing

Mirlande Lovinsky
Computer Information Systems

Sean Lament Mack
Criminal Justice

Jeanne Malachie

Nursing

Aida J. Marcalle
Microcomputer Applications

Veronice Marroquin
Nursing

Jessica Martinez

Early Childhood Education

Leonora Denise McLaren
Early Childhood Education

Maryam Mirza

Computer Information Systems

Tshilanda S. Mukala

Nursing

Elewechi Diana Ndukwe
Computer Information Systems

Betelihem Mekonnen Nega
Computer Information Systems

Denise Jean Nevins
Nursing

Kate Thi Ngo

Office Administration

Rona Nicholas

Nursing

Omotolani K. Orekoya

Computer Information Systems

Rekiatu Osiebo

Computer Information Systems

Charity C. Owoh
Nursing

Eridania Julissa Peralta
Business Administration

Lee Ernest Ferryman III
Early Childhood Education

Jean P. Pierre

Computer Information Systems

Marie Marthe Pierre
Nursing

Maria Ivette Pizarro
Business Management

Blanca Delmy Quinones

Nursing

Brhanu K. Redda

Computer Information Systems

Drupawattie Rekha
Office Administration

Ana I. Rosado
Office Administration

Monique M. Roumo
Early Childhood Education

Carline Saint-Leger

Nursing

Portia E. Saltibus
Nursing

Yatta Rose Samah

Computer Information Systems

Zikarra J. Sampson
Microcomputer Applications

Vivian Sheffield

Early Childhood Education

Rubin Sindor

Nursing

Wanda Rochelle Stokes

Nursing

Fikru G. Tache

Computer Information Systems

Tadelech A. Taddele
Computer Information Systems

Nelys M. Tejeda
Office Administration

Marie Ketty Thebaud
Early Childhood Education

Judith Latitia Thomas
OJfice Administration

Kalda R. Thomas

Early Childhood Education

Eddie L. Thompson, Jr.
Business Management

Sherley Valcourt
Nursing

Ana B. Valdez

Early Childhood Education

Lyndon H. Vincent
Accounting

Muriel L Walinjom

Computer Information Systems

Letha Wilson

Nursing

Nikia N. Wilson
Criminal Justice

Netsanet Bekele Woldesenbet
Computer Information Systems

Certificate with Specification

Mark G. Aborjaily

Computer Information Systems

Virginia Adamson
Practical Nursing

Arthur Almeda
Bookkeeping

Myriam Bazelais
Practical Nursing

Rolande Berlus
Practical Nursing

Jessica Bonilla
Word Processing

Guerline Claude
Practical Nursing

Juan L. Colon

Pre-Engineering

Micol L. Core
Microcomputer Applications

Margarette Francois
Bookkeeping

Bradley C. Garber
Word Processing

Marie D. Gautier
Word Processing

Fatou Gueye
Office Technology

Natalya Kasymova
Paralegal Studies

John B. Kawere

Computer Network Administration

Pamaletha Lewis
Practical Nursing

Yvette Long
Practical Nursing

Samira Madani
Bookkeeping

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Aida J. Marcalle
Bookkeeping

Leslie E. Moorer
Paralegal
Guylene Muzac
Practical Nursing

Stanley C. Njoku
Practical Nursing

Denisia N. Parisienne-Quashie
Practical Nursing

Marie C. Pauyo
Practical Nursing

Awilda C. Pena

Computer Information Systems

Drupawattie Rekha
Word Processing

Lisa Thomas

Practical Nursing

Angela M. Whitfield
Allied Health

Cherrell Wilson
Allied Health

The Registrar ofRoxbury Community College maintains the official list of all
graduates. This program is for ceremonial purposes.

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Scholarships, Awards, and Honors

All American Scholar Award

This award is made by the National Achievement Academy for excellence in scholastic
achievement. Students must have a 3.5 grade point average and be accepted into the National
Honor Society. Two percent of all students in higher education achieve this status.
Olatunbosun Adamson, Patricia Cadet, Geraldine T. Naranjo, Elewechi D. Ndukwe,
Nkechi A. Uchendu

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, IncTPsi Omega Chapter Award

This award is given to an outstanding multicultural female graduate who is transferring to a
four-year institution.
Sheila H. Barbosa

Boston University Scholarship

This program offers high-achieving students financial support for the first two years of their
education at Boston University. Scholarships can cover all tuition, fees, and provide a
stipend for books and supplies.
Mahlet Beiisa, Yalemzewd Kebede

Claudia J. Tucker Award

This award is given aimually to an outstanding Roxbury Community College transfer stu-
dent in honor of the mother of Roxbury Coimnunity College's Professor Royal C. Tucker.
Nkechi Uchendu

Alise Rostan Dowling Scholarship

Given in the memory of the mother of Roxbury Conmiunity College's Vice President of
Administration, Dr. Nadine Dowling, this award of $500 is presented to an outstanding
nursing student. The award is based on recommendations fi-om faculty, service to the college,
financial need, and the student's quality point average.
Raquel Amoldoni

Elizabeth "Betty" Johnson Award

Given annually in memory of one of the original members of Roxbury Community College's
Board of Trustees, the "Betty" Johnson Award is presented to the graduating student who
has earned the highest cumulative grade point average and a minimum of fifty credits at
Roxbury Community College.
Sydonya Barker

Foster Furcolo Scholarship

This scholarship honors former Governor Foster Furcolo, who played a major role in
creating public community colleges in Massachusetts. Each community college, nominates
one graduate whose grade point average is at least 3.5. The scholarship covers tuition and
most fees at University of Massachusetts, Boston.
Geraldine Naranjo

Francina E. Copeland Gelzer Endowed Scholarship

Given in the name of a lifelong resident of the greater Roxbury community with a strong
commitment to education, this award is presented to a Roxbury Community College student
on the basis of outstanding scholastic achievement. The recipient is an Afiican- American
graduate who has maintained a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and who has been
accepted into a four-year college degree program.
Letisha Williams

James H. Caesar Endowed Scholarship

In 1986, a Roxbury resident established this scholarship to honor the opportunities this
country and community had given him. In selecting the recipient, preference is given to
graduating students who have attended the Cooper Community Center of Roxbury or the
Roxbury Boys and Girls Club. If this criterion does not apply, the scholarship may be
awarded to a talented Roxbury Community College student from the Roxbury community.
Valerie Canington

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Letitia Garafalo Endowed Scholarship

Established by a native of Quincy, Massachusetts, who used her knowledge of languages to
live and work in communities around the world, this endowed memorial scholarship is
presented to a Roxbury Community College graduate on the basis of academic merit and
financial need.
lysha King

Northeastern University Scholarship

This program offers high-achieving students $10,000 per year at Northeastern University.
Scholarships can cover all tuition, fees, and provide a stipend for books and supplies.
Ingrid Beckles, Valerie Canington. Meaza Fisseha, Bekele Merene

Sapers Family Opportunity Awards

This award is presented to no more than ten Roxbury Community College graduates who
transfer to four-year colleges in pursuit of baccalaureate degrees. This special "50-50"
award consists of both a scholarship and a low-interest loan. The award is made available
through the generosity of the William R. Sapers family of Boston.
Olatunbosun Adamson, Oluranti Adepoju, Ingrid Beckles, Brodrick Egodogbere,
Ayodele Fashakin, Jay P. Joshi, Marvia McDonald, Rekiatu Osiebo, Mavis Sanusi,
Lyndon Vincent

Therese Dutile Giles Award

Given annually by the Giles family in memory of their mother, this award is presented to a
student who, having mastered a new language in the English for Speakers of Other Languages
Department, is now graduating with an associate degree and has provided service to the
Roxbury Community College community.

Netsanet Woldesenbet

University Scholars

This program provides academically outstanding students with up to $6,000 each year
toward the cost of their education at the University of Massachusetts. Massachusetts
community college presidents nominate the top academically ranked student who has eamed
a transfer designated associate degree.

Jessica Martinez, University of Massachusetts Boston; Sydonya Barker, University of
Massachusetts Boston

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Roxbury Community College

Years of dreaming and planning came to life in 1 973, when Roxbury Commu-
nity College opened its doors in the Grove Hall area of Roxbury. Despite
less than perfect surroundings - its location was a former car dealership -
Roxbury Community College's dedicated faculty, staff, and administration served
the educational needs of four hundred students. The College's mission, as it is now,
was to provide higher education to those Boston residents who found most other
avenues to higher education closed.

In 1975, growth was impetus for a move to 424 Dudley Street, a former nursing
home. This move permitted the expansion and strengthening of academic programs
and student services. The College continued to grow, which precipitated another
move in 1982 to the former site of Boston State College on Huntington Avenue. As
the college continued to shift its service base to meet an expanding enrollment, the
goal to establish a permanent home for Roxbury Community College in the heart of
the communities it serves, remained strong.

With much anticipation, Roxbury Community College built its new home as the
cornerstone of the Southwest Corridor in the Spring of 1978. This fifteen acre
campus includes a state-of-the-art Media Arts Building, Academic Building, Ad-
ministration Building, Student Center, and the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic
Center. In addition to the Columbus Avenue site, Roxbury Community College has
an additional campus at 989 Commonwealth Avenue.

A global village, Roxbury Community College's multicultural and ethnically diverse
student population has set it apart from other community colleges in the Common-
wealth. Although most of our students are from Boston and surrounding communi-
ties, many come from all comers of the world including: North America, Central
America, South America, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. International
students also hail from Brazil, China, Trinidad, Peru, Barbados, Nigeria, Haiti, and
Jamaica.

With renewed commitment, Roxbury Community College continues its legacy of
providing educational opportunities for all who enter its doors.

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GOVERNING
BOARDS

& OFFICERS
OF

ROXBURY

COMMUNITY

COLLEGE

Board of Trustees

Harry Sterling, Jr., Chair

J. Keith Motley, Ph.D., Vice Chair

Alberto Calvo, Secretary

S. Allen Counter, Ph.D.

Ruth E. Fitch, Esquire

Michael J. Hoyle, Ph.D.

Jacquelyne Payne-Thompson

Perils Ryans, Jr.

Marva V. Williams, Student Trustee

Wendell N. Johnson

Randolph W. Bromery, Ph.D., Interim

President, ex officio

Senior Officers

Randolph W. Bromery, Ph.D.
Interim President

Janis W. Jones, Ed.D.
Provost

Nadine Bowling, Ed.D.

Vice President of Administration

William P. Fenstemacher, Ph.D.
Interim Vice President of Finance

Roxbury Community College
Foundation

Robert A. Williams, President

William R. Sapers, Vice President

Sharif Abdal-Khallaq, Clerk

Richard M. Lee, Treasurer

Keith Castle

Walter C Carrington

Marcy Gefter-Lemberg

Donna Harris-Lewis

Michael James

Sylvia A. McDowell

Marva F. Nathan

Joan Resnikoff

Thomas M. Simmons

Robert Sperber

Thomas Pencil, Director

Commencement
Committee

Janis W. Jones, Provost, ex officio

Carol Bliss-Furr, co-chair

Elizabeth Clark, co-chair

Valerie A. Abrahams en

Ivette Arias

Kenneth Hall

Marshall Hughes

Anthony Jacobs

Yalemzewd Kebede

Keith McDermott

Edmond Moussally

Julie Pelletier-Rutkowski

Justin Petty

William Polk

Arthur G. Shaw

George West

Doris Woods

Marshals

Chief College Marshal

Georgia Weetman

Associate Marshals

David Becker
Ruth Keifson-Roberts
Chiso Okafor-Ndukwe
Maureen Marcklinger
Veronica McComick

Commencement Sponsors

The Gillette Company

John Hancock Financial Service

Westnet

Boston Marriott, Copley Place

RCC Barnes & Noble Bookstore

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