MCC Graduates Its Largest Class Ever

More than 750 Manchester Community College students had their day in the sun Thursday, as the school held its 47th annual Commencement, celebrating the festivities with its largest graduating class yet.

It was a hot, humid, and at times windy late-afternoon ceremony as 786 students from across the state collected 936 degrees at Connecticut’s largest community college (65 students received multiple degrees and certificates). Graduates were awarded degrees in a multitude of fields, everything from business accounting and administration to surgical technology, reflecting the breadth and depth of MCC’s program of studies.

“Although this is clearly your day, you haven’t reached this day alone,” said Manchester Community College President Gena Glickman. “I think that the graduates should be giving a round of applause to your spouses, your significant others, your family and friends who have supported you and are celebrating with you today.”

Valedictorian Brian Edward Mulhall, from New Britain, who received an associate degree in Engineering Science, told his story to the class of 2011, which might not have been too different from many of the other graduates’ Thursday: not the most diligent student in high school, Mulhall dropped out soon after his first attempt at college, entered the work force, realized after a few years that he wanted to go back and finish his degree, and so buckled down and focused on his studies, becoming a successful community college student while still holding down a full-time job.

“These last two years have been the most rewarding experience of my entire life. Here at Manchester, I found a place that was the perfect environment for me to thrive in,” Mulhall said. “The combination of the small class size and dedicated faculty gave me the opportunity to develop the skills that would be the foundation upon which all my subsequent success was built.”

“So much of my academic success can be attributed to the dedicated faculty, many of whom have spent countless hours helping prepare me for my future,” he continued. “Never were they too busy for someone eager to learn.  None of what I accomplished in my time here would have been possible if not for their help and I would like to take this chance to thank all of them for their support, guidance and friendship. But as we all know a story such as mine is not an uncommon one here at Manchester Community College.”

Kristi Zea, a renowned and Oscar-nominated production designer, producer and art director who has worked on a number of critically acclaimed films, including “Goodfellas,” “Silence of the Lambs,” and “As Good As It Gets,” delivered the commencement address. Zea encouraged students to embrace change in their lives and treat education as a never-ending process, which she said helped her to achieve success in an industry as tumultuous as Hollywood. 

“Some of us may need to adapt, and re-set our sights. If it is true that we change jobs on the average of eight times in a lifetime, we need to learn how to stay ahead of the game,” Zea told the graduates. “That is why you all worked so hard to get to this place today. The challenge before you – and before all of us – is how to stay equipped with the knowledge and resources that will allow us to remain adaptable, and flexible. Now is not the time to be soft, or complacent, now is the time to keep ahead of the wave.”

Pankaj N. Patel, a plant manager at Timken Aerospace Transmissions in Manchester, received an honorary degree from the college for his role in helping MCC to gain “crucial funding,” including $43,500 in the last two years which the college used to purchase software and technology equipment and to fund scholarships. Patel did not attend the ceremony.

Suffield graduates: