400 Union County College Students Graduate

CRANFORD, NJ — A total of 400 Union County College students graduated during Commencement Ceremonies held on Jan. 11, at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway.

The graduates completed their degrees in August or December in Associate in Science, Associate in Arts and Associate in Applied Science degrees, certificates and certificates of achievement.

Union’s President, Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin, led both the afternoon and evening ceremonies and was joined by the Chair of the College’s Board of Trustees, Victor M. Richel.

At each ceremony, William Dunscombe, associate professor of STEM, presented a graduate with the Ahmed Abdallah-Thomas Memorial Award. This award was created in 2015 to honor Ibtissam Ahmed Abdallah and Marquest S. Thomas, graduates of the college who died together in a tragic car accident on Nov. 23, 2011, shortly after they were married.

To be considered for the award, a graduating student must have a 3.25 grade point average or higher, have participated in college life through service in college activities and/or sports, and have completed community service.

At the afternoon ceremony, Patricia Flores Infante of Winfield Park, received the award. She has a 3.85 grade point average and graduated with her Associate in Science degree in nursing.

At the evening ceremony, the award was given to Shawn Cook of Newark. He has a 4.0 grade point average and graduated with his Associate in Arts degree in education.

“Commencement is always an exciting day at Union. It is a day to for our students to celebrate and acknowledge their success in completing a degree," stated Dr. McMenamin. "We are so proud of each of the students who cross that stage today. Our mission, to transform our community, one student at a time, is never more relevant than it is on Commencement Day.”

(Image via Union County College: Union students line up in anticipation of the start of the Commencement Ceremony.)

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