CT State Community College Gateway Celebrates Academic Awards

New Haven, CT (May 16, 2024) The Dean’s Academic Awards Ceremony was held Thursday May 16th, in the Curran Community Room at CT State Community College Gateway. The awards ceremony honored exceptional students and recognized 58 students with departmental and programmatic achievement awards.

Gateway’s 2024 graduates are members of the inaugural class of CT State Community College, the nation’s 7th largest community college, a majority minority institution that serves more than 70,500 students. Gateway is CT State’s flagship campus and proudly celebrated the students’ stellar academic achievements.

Gateway’s Student of the Year Award was presented to Cristian Montanez, Student Government Vice President and a community advocate. Cristian will attend classes at Yale University after receiving his Associate Degree in Political Science.

Molly Donnolo received the Culinary Arts Award. The Biomedical Engineering Technology award recipient was Fnu Gul E. Andam and the Railroad Engineering Technology Award was presented to Adrian Martinez.

Faculty and staff award winners were Lorraine Li, Professor of Economics, and Faculty Union leader; and Belinda Petrovic, Gateway Alumna, Academic Associate and Science Lab Coordinator.

Interim Dean of Faculty Rose Ellis, Ph.D. said, “These Gateway students, many of whom work full- and part-time, are parents and leaders in the community. Because they dedicate themselves to their educations with resilience and perseverance, they have reached the top of their graduating class".

“We are incredibly proud of these and all graduating Gateway students. Education is not just about receiving knowledge, but also about applying it wisely. We have tremendous confidence Gateway students will apply all they’ve gained for the betterment of themselves, their families and our community,” said Scott Kalicki, Ph.D., Gateway’s Interim Chief Executive Officer and a member of CT State Community College President Dr. O. John Maduko’s Cabinet.

The event was well attended by awardees, faculty, administrators, family, and friends. Commencement will take place May 23rd.

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About CT State Community College Gateway: Gateway offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs. It is the largest of the CT State Community College campuses, with the most racially and ethnically diverse student population, many of whom experience high education cost burdens. In 2024, Gateway students live in more than 150 towns and cities, including: New Haven, Ansonia, Bethany, Branford, Bridgeport, Cheshire, Clinton, Derby, East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, Meriden, Middletown, Milford, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven, Orange, Seymour, Shelton, Stratford, Wallingford, West Haven and Woodbridge.