Great Bay Community College 2024 graduation: Students, award winners honored

PORTSMOUTH — Great Bay Community College celebrated its 78th commencement with 332 degrees and certificates were conferred and 160 students walking during the ceremonies Saturday.

Associate degree and certificates were awarded to graduates of the programs in accounting, American studies, automotive technology, biological science, biotechnology, business administration, leadership and management, sales and digital marketing, computer numeric control, computer technologies, programming, software development, criminal justice, cybersecurity infrastructure, digital media communications, early childhood education, educator preparation, engineering, English, environmental science, fine arts, history, homeland security and emergency management, hotel, restaurant and event management, information systems technology, liberal arts, massage therapy, motorcycle maintenance and repair technology, nondestructive testing, nursing, psychology, surgical technology, technical studies, veterinary technology and welding technologies.

Distinguished members of the college community and honored guests included GBCC President Cheryl Lesser, Great Bay Advisory Board Past Chair Christine Carberry, Community College System of New Hampshire Board of Trustees Chair Katharine Bogle Shields, Community College System of New Hampshire Trustee Steven Slovenksi, Community College System of New Hampshire Chancellor Mark Rubinstein, Vice President of Academic Affairs Lisa McCurley, Community College System of New Hampshire Trustee Donnalee Lozeau, student speaker and graduate Abigail Wagner, Community College System of New Hampshire Trustee Alison Stebbins and student speaker and graduate Melissa Shortt.

Lesser welcomed the class of 2024 and crowd of close to 1,000 family and friends. “The faculty, staff and administration, the entire Community College System of New Hampshire are so proud of you for overcoming challenges, persevering, and getting to this next phase of your life” she said. Referring to the quote by Justice Louis Brandeis, ‘fight for the things you care about but do it in a way that will lead others to join you,’ Lesser continued, “I can’t emphasize enough that you have been prepared to fight for the things that you care about. Use the knowledge gained at Great Bay from the classroom, to the conversations with fellow students, faculty, and staff. Go out into this world and strengthen it, repair it, give it a future that will enable us to have sustainable, joyful lives.”

Mark Rubinstein, chancellor of the Community College System of New Hampshire, offered remarks and recognized the 2024 Chancellor’s Award Recipients for Teaching Excellence and Service Excellence.

Lesser, announced the recipient names for the 2024 President’s Awards for Outstanding Adjunct Faculty and Outstanding Student and Award for Special Contributions. This year’s Outstanding Student Award was presented to graduate Volodymyr Lysianskyi, originally from Ukraine who came to the U.S. seeking an opportunity to obtain higher education and experience a different part of the world. After graduating with an associate degree in engineering science and earning a G.P.A of 3.99, he plans to transfer to the University of New Hampshire.

Lisa McCurley, vice president of academic affairs, announced the recipient names for the 2024 Academic Department Awards.

Wagner spoke about her practice of referring to her program of study as a “project” with each class being a small step culminating to her degree. “It made me sit back and reevaluate how to explain why I was studying the subjects required” she said, “and realized that everything in a project has a purpose. Class of 2024, I hope that we take this experience with us as we continue our project of lifelong learning.”

Shortt shared the story of, after a discouraging day, receiving a personal and timely note from a faculty member that simply read “you can do hard things.”

A wife and mother of four, with a full-time job, and unsure of her path, her decision to attend GBCC was not an easy one. “It didn’t take me long to realize however,” Shortt said, “that nobody actually cared how old I was.  I began to realize that it is in the moments where I do not have all of the answers that I can learn the most.” At the end of her address she closed by saying, “Remember this, Class of 2024: We can do hard things!”

After graduation from GBCC and receiving his associate degree in surgical technology, Gerardo Montes of Dover will be working as a surgical technologist for Mass General Brigham in Boston. “Great Bay impacted my life by helping me understand the importance and value of obtaining an education degree” he says “as well as share and expand my knowledge and be a better person than supports and contributes to the community.”

Megan McCombie, also from Dover, received her degree in early childhood education and will be working at a childcare center as a toddler teacher. “The most valued part of GBCC for me was how the course times and schedule are flexible for students like me who work full time while going to college.”

Emily Solomon who completed her associate degree in business administration with a certificate in leadership and management is currently employed at Service Credit Union, where she would like to continue with an added goal of helping out in the community.

Three out of six graduates who completed a certificate in motorcycle maintenance and repair attended the ceremony. All report having jobs in their field at Seacoast Harley-Davidson, Laconia Harley-Davidson and Monadnock Harley-Davidson.

After starting the program in 2021, graduate Amrit Singh of Newmarket earned a certificate in computer numeric Control taking classes while working full time and supporting his family. Singh, who came to the United States from India in 2017, also had to overcome a language barrier, learning English while earning his certificate. Adept at learning technology, he has always embraced education. “If you have learning capabilities, then you can learn something new every day,” he said. “For every new problem, there is a new solution.”

GBCC recognizes teaching, service and academic award winners at 2024 commencement

The following faculty, staff and students were recognized during Great Bay Community College’s 2024 Commencement Ceremonies:

Chancellor’s Award for Service Excellence was presented to:  Rebecca Clerkin, GBCC director of Library Services. Among the criteria, the award is given to a candidate who has demonstrated innovation in service to students and has made a positive impact on the college community. In her nomination letter, the nominee writes of Rebecca, “Consistently, throughout her 29+ years at Great Bay Community College, she has been thoroughly engaged and impactful in her collaborative work at the College, the Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH), and Cross-College levels in addition to serving in her role as the Director of Library Services and her direct work with students and GBCC colleagues.”

Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence was presented to: Lynda Bonneau, department chair, Accounting and Business Administration.  The award is based on criteria including a demonstration of teaching innovation, leadership, an individual’s impact on students, community involvement, as well as service to the college.  Lynda began as a full-time Accounting Faculty and Program Coordinator at Great Bay Community College in the fall of 2017 and has served additionally in the Department Chair role beginning in the spring of 2019. In addition to the Accounting and Business programs, she recently has assumed oversight and leadership of the Hotel, Restaurant, and Event Management degree and certificate programs in collaboration with the Program Coordinator.

President’s Award for Outstanding Adjunct was presented to: Erik Hinnov, adjunct professor of English and the writing specialist in the College’s Center for Academic Planning and Support (CAPS). The award is given to an adjunct faculty member whose commitment to Great Bay Community College serves academic integrity and students needs in the greater interest of the teaching-learning environment. In addition to his role as an adjunct faculty and writing support specialist to students, Erik has represented Great Bay by participating in the Humanities Collaborative with UNH, and is currently the adjunct representative for Faculty Forum.

President’s Award for Special Contributions was presented to GBCC Athletic Director, Brian Scott. The award is given to a member of the college community whose endeavors have made a significant difference at the College. In addition to his role as Director of the GBCC Athletic department, Brian plays a crucial role with the Student Life Department of the College helping to lead the Student Government Association, Leadership Weekend, New Student Orientation, and other activities. In his nomination letter, his colleague writes “Brian has a keen ability to manage the day-to-day logistics while never losing an opportunity to connect with students.”

President’s Award for Outstanding Student was presented to Volodymyr Lysianskyi. The award is given to a member of the college community whose endeavors have made a significant difference at the College and to the community. Originally from Ukraine, Volodymyr arrived at Great Bay in August of 2022. He came to the U.S. seeking an opportunity to obtain higher education and experience a different part of the world. Today, he is graduating with an associate degree in engineering science. He also organized three fundraisers supporting victims of the earthquake in Turkey, flood victims in Libya, and initiatives for women’s empowerment and coordinated the installation of new recreational amenities to Great Bay’s Student Success Center.

2024 Academic Award winners:

Academic awards were presented to students with the highest GPA in their program.

Accounting A.S. Degree - Abigail Shelomitha Simatauw

American Studies A.A. Degree - Benjamin Rodgers

Biological Science A.A. Degree - Autumn Jolin

Biological Science A.S. Degree - Laurel Pigman

Biotechnology A.S. Degree - Tucker Davison

Business Administration A.S. Degree - Kelsey Burnell

Computer Technologies A.S. Degree - Jacob Hagman

Criminal Justice A.S. Degree - Benjamin Rodgers

Cyber Security Infrastructure A.S. Degree - Phil Reid

Digital Media Communications A.S. Degree - Susan Anderson

Early Childhood Education A.S. Degree - Quinlan Rich

Educator Preparation A.S. Degree - Sarah Jeanne Toms

Engineering A.S. Degree - Ahmed Nada

English A.A. Degree - Melissa Shortt

Environmental Science A.S. Degree - Lily Sullivan

Fine Arts A.A. Degree - Elise Soto

History A.A. Degree - Lance Dion

Hotel, Restaurant & Event Mgmt A.S. Degree - Liette Duncan

Information Systems Technology A.S. Degree - Keith Cummings

Liberal Arts A.A. Degree - Sophie-Frances Stewart

Nursing A.S. Degree - Albina Hubbard

Psychology A.A. Degree - Stephanie Knapp

Surgical Technology A.S. Degree - Lauren Geleas

Technical Studies A.S. Degree - Zackeree Kendall

Veterinary Technology A.S. Degree - Victoria George

2024 Great Bay Community College graduates list

Ryan Akers, Stratham; Elizabeth Akridge, Dover; Spencer Allen, Portsmouth; Alyvia Anctil, Berwick, ME; Susan Corene Anderson, Dover; Cameron Ansell, Dover; Nickolas Anzalone, Hampton; Sarah Archambault, Alton; Elissa Armstrong, Dover; Nikki Leigh Ata, Greenland; Natasha Marie B. Portes, North Hampton; Alexandra Baillargeon, Exeter; Caitlyn Hope Baker, Amesbury, MA; Mark David Balboni, Rye Beach; Forest J. Baro, Epping; Nikita Bates, Greenland; Keith Becker, Hollis Center, ME; Tyler Beckley, Woodsville; Jacob Beecher, Stratham; Mikaela Belanger, Epping; Stephanie Bement, Hampton; Ella Dunker-Bendigo, Dover; John Robert Benoit, Lyman; Hannah Beringer, Hampton; Kas Berriault, Farmington; Melissa Marie Blache, Rochester; Troy Blaisdell, Effingham; Alexander Van Blake, Dover; Roland S. Bowe, Dover; Cameron Boyd, Hampton; Chelsea Bradbury, Rochester; Sierra Brady, Rochester; Craig Brayen, Dover; Logan Braz, Dover; Adam Bridgeford, Somersworth; Roman Brigandi, Dover; Rebecca Brockney, Portsmouth; Alan Michael Bronchuk, Portsmouth; Michael A. Brooks, Manchester; Nicholas Brooks, Dover; Madeline Ann Brown, Dover; Ciera Brown, Exeter; Corinna LeAnn Browning, Newmarket; Julie Ann Budek, Plaistow; Hunter Bullock, Epping; Ernie Buonopane, Fremont; Kelsey R. Burnell, Dover; Chase Camarato, East Wakefield; Justine Nicole Carey, Rochester; Elijah-Jacob Carr, Portsmouth; Samuel Castles, Barrington; Alexa P. Chase, Fremont; Julie Rossetti-Cipullo, Epping; Katharina Kay Clapper-Vaughn, Somersworth; James Clarke, Danville; Hailleeann Clayton, Rochester; Nicholas Clifford, Dover; Brooke Clooney, Rochester; Owen Clough, Durham; Jennifer Conway, Dover; Ashley Cote, Newton; Kelly Louise Cox, Center Conway; Jeanne Marie Crateau, Danvers, MA; Robert Creteau, Rochester; Jordyn Olivia Crisanaz, Milton; Amiee Crispo, Hampton; Keith Cummings, Farmington; Tucker Davison, Rochester; Mackenzie Nicole Deschenes, Dover; Colby Dale Desmarais, Auburn; Colton Dessell, Exeter; Lance Lawrence Dion, Dover; Anthony Doane, New Durham; Qiaoqiao Doane, Epping; Kristen Doherty, Plaistow; Madelyn Donahue, Rochester; Valerie Donais, Dover; Mark Justin Donnell, Rochester; Alison Donnell, Exeter; Joshua Dorfman, Rochester; Katerina Dow, Rochester; Caroline Duhamel, Exeter; Elvira Dun, Rochester; Liette Jane Duncan, Dover; Priscilla L. Durst, Deerfield; Rachel Eaton, Stratham; Emma Eddins, Rollinsford; Christopher Edwards, Lee; Matthew Einarson, Danville; Travis Ell, Kingston; Griffin Ellis, Deerfield; Sophia Emery, Center Ossipee; Richard Falardeau, Rochester; Sarah Falvella, Dover; Ryan Farinha, Sanbornville; Holly Farley, Strafford; Finneas Fermon, Newmarket; Zachary Fishbein, Barrington; Sarah E. Fisher, Sanbornville; Patrick Stephen Fitzgerald, Exeter; Emily Fogerty, Rochester; Erin Ashley Foley, Hampton; Devon Ford, Derry; Sarah Fowler, Keene; Brett Fralish, Durham; David John Francis Miller, Tewksbury, MA; Eric John French, Newmarket; Alexandra Fuller, Madbury; Franchesca Kate G. Juanillas, Middleton; Derrick Gaddi, Kittery, ME; Joelee Gagnon, Dover; Scott Gallant, Hudson; Spencer Gaudreau, Epping; Lauren Beverly Geleas, Alton Bay; Sarah George, Dover; Victoria George, Windham; Bethany Marie Gibney, Dover; Zachary Giles, Barrington; James W. Gillis, Epping; Sarah Girard, Seabrook; Ashley Amber Gonzales, Kittery, ME; Dustin A. Grant, Rochester; Zoe Catherine Greene, Kensington; Abigail Maria Gullick, Exeter; Jacob Axel Hagman, Dover; Tyler Hampton, Hampton; Alexis Hardin, Dover; Samuel Harrington, Barrington; Ashley Hayes, Rochester; Khali Heath, Somersworth; Noah Hernandez, Dover; Gavin Hills, Dover; Gavin S. Hopkins, Madbury; Kimberly J. Hopkins, Rochester; Albina Hubbard, Hampton; Jacqueline Huggett, Rochester; Chelsea Elizabeth Hurst, Nashua; Kevin Hurst, York, ME; Alexander J. Hyatt, Newfields; James Noble III, Barrington; David Immanuel, Dover; Rain Ashley Jelley, Dover; Fritz Nicolas Johanes Warokka, Dover; Cassandra Marie Johnson, Newmarket; Ellora Johnson, Brookfield; Nathaniel Johnson, New Castle; Autumn Jolin, Rochester; Zoe Jost, Sanbornville; Tiffany Jumawan, Portsmouth; Celine Kan, Stratham; Peter Karambatsos, Dover; Levi Karolian, Rochester; Quinn Keller, Rochester; Patrick Kelley, Nottingham; Nicholas Khalaily, Rochester; Sophia Kilroy, Portsmouth; Brittany Leigh Klemczuk, Newfields; Stephanie Mae Knapp, Rye; Madeline Kriete, Center Barnstead; Kaycie Kustra, Madbury; Mikaela Lafontaine, Hollis, ME; Danielle N. LaLone, Hampton; Keith J. Landry, Belmont; Meghan LaPierre, Newmarket; Jett St.Laurent, Barrington; Emily Renae Lecuyer, Brentwood; Julie Lee, Portsmouth; Thomas Lee, Rochester; Jack LePage, Epping; Hongmei Lin, Durham; Ceralene J. Lizotte, Manchester; Alexa Lizotte, Dover; Ethan M. Lotz, Dover; Madison Lovely, Fremont; Kyra Lunday, Barrington; Volodymyr Lysianskyi, Portsmouth; Katlynn Marcum, Exeter; Ryan Tadiwa Marindire, Lee; Meredith Renee Marquis, Somersworth; Giovanni Mastro, Rye; Ashley G. Mastrullo, Kingston; Brianna R. Matthews, Portsmouth; Megan Elizabeth McCombie, Dover; Elizabeth McGee, Barrington; Griffin McGraw, Newmarket; Dee McGuire, Nottingham; Christopher McKay, Rye; Paul McNally, Rochester; Katelyn McNamara, Ridgefield, WA; Lexie A. McNew, Dover; Kaylee McNew, Dover; Nicholas Merrick, Fremont; Erika Merritt, Salem; Amanda K. Michaud, Brentwood; Sandra Michaud, Dover; Scott Everett Miller, Hampton Falls; Jocelyn Miller, Fremont; Joshua Miltner, Rochester; Rachel Minnichiello, Newfields; Gerardo Montes, Dover; Alexis Cole-Mooney, Rochester; Nathan Moore, Northwood; Susan Moran, Exeter; Andrew S. Mori, Portsmouth; Laura Elizabeth Murphy, Newbury, MA; Beau Murphy, Barnstead; Ahmed Nada, Portsmouth; Mariana Najera, Exeter; Erin Nash, Rochester; Tristan Nash, Barrington; Jaime Negron, Nashua; Jeremy Martin Ness, Dover; Connor Newton, Hampton; Eric Bao Nguyen, Dover; Steven Nguyen, Dover; Angela Renee Nichols, Epping; Liam Noble, Warner; Mitchell P. Nollet, Dover; Jalin Noseworthy, Rochester; Jackson Obrey, Portsmouth; Tayzen Kuester O'Connor, Pembroke; Stacey Marie Odette-Bissell, Rochester; Oliver O'Keefe, Stratham; Katie Anne Orr, Stratham; Fiona O'Shea, Strafford; Madison Faith Osier, Derry; Ashleigh Page, Sanbornville; Nathan Michael Pantling, Eliot, ME; Mary Paradis, Rochester; James Peel, Hampton; Amanda C. Perko, Sanford, ME; Leilani Trinity Phachanh, Rochester; Laurel Pigman, Dover; Rylan Pinkham, Dover; Taylor Pitts, Somersworth; John Pond, Farmington; Amelia Poole, Dover; Matthew Proulx, Dover; Piyachat Puttarak, Hampton Falls; Connor Quinn, Kingston; Nicholas Randell, Kingston; Alan Redd, Barrington; Logan P. Redmond, Rochester; Phillip Reid, Rochester; Brandon Joshua Reneel, Portsmouth; Jason Reynolds, Lunenburg, MA; William Jeffrey Rich, Somersworth; Quinlan Rich, Portland, OR; Frank Ridley, Farmington; Haley Brett Robbins, Hampstead; Benjamin B. Rodgers, Kittery, ME; Juliana Roma, Barrington; Simon James Ropars, Rochester; Michelle M. Rossi, Epping; Jackson Charles Rutland, Dover; Gabriel Sakash, Somersworth; Fabiola Salas, Salem; Melany Salazar, Nashua; Sydney Salzman, Athol, MA; Stoddard Sampson, Portsmouth; Grace Schwaegerle, Rye; Melissa R. Shortt, Barrington; Virginia Siglin, Concord; Nicholas Silva, Concord; Alissa Ashleigh Silver, Kingston; Abigail Shelomitha Simatauw, Dover; Amrit Singh, Newmarket; Abigail E. Singlar, Exeter; Abraham Siregar, Rochester; Nicole L. Slosser, Shapleigh, ME; Adrienne R. Smith, Dover; Robert Smith, Dover; Emily J. Solomon, Exeter; Elise Francine Soto, Augusta, KS; Ben Sousa, Barrington; Ryan Spayd, Rochester; Lily Stadig, Nottingham; Kaleb Douglas Steffen, Somersworth; Sophie-Frances Stewart, Portsmouth; Colton Strader, Stratham; Annika Rae Strand, Portsmouth; Jackson Martin Strayer, Rochester; Halle J. Studley, Dover; Gilbert Aquila Suitela, Dover; Lilianna J. Sullivan, Rochester; Sara Sullivan, Hampton; Amy Supernor, Nashua; Cameron Sylvester, Dover; Jennifer Alycia Taris, Pelham; Emily Christine Thornton, Middleton; Bree Tillinghast, Durham; Joshua Tompson, Barrington; Sarah Jeanne Toms, Sanbornville; Erika J. Tozier, Farmington; Edmond Sam Trieu, Dover; Bradley Tucker, Exeter; Madelyn Carmina Turell, Atkinson; Zacary Twombly, Dover; Kira Tzizik, Lee; Molly Jean Vaillancourt, Rochester; Anna Faye van der Voet, Farmington; Tiffany Lynn Veary, Goffstown; Joshua Alberto Veliz, New Ipswich; Christine Verrill, Dover; Abigail S. Wagner, South Berwick, ME; Bethany Walker, Portsmouth; Devin Kent-Wallace, West Newbury, MA; Noreen Ward, North Hampton; Zackeree Mical Watson Kendall, New Durham; Madalyn M. Webb, Salisbury, MA; Jacob Lee Whicker, Hampton; Holland Yost Wienberg, Barrington; Spencer Alexander Wirth, Portsmouth; Aaron Witham, Nottingham; Zebedee Benjamin Wood, Eliot, ME; Elaina-Louise Woodill, Sanbornville; Rachel E. Worden, Seabrook; Rebecca Worden, Seabrook; Anamaria Zapata, Derry; Carl Zundell, Newmarket.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Great Bay Community College 2024 graduation: Students, award winners honored