CCSNH-Berlin's 35th Commencement Exercises
At approximately 5:00pm on Friday, May 10th, class marshals Deborah Boivin and Rhonda Edwards led the
New Hampshire Community College--Berlin's 35th graduating class into the large white tent set
up on the college's soccer field for this year's Commencement Exercises. Dr. Karen Sue Grosz,
president of CCSNH-Berlin/Laconia, presiding over her first graduation at the college welcomed the
graduates and their friends and families. Among the dignitaries on the dais were Claudette Mahar,
Chairperson of the NHCTC Board of Directors, John O'Donnell, Commissioner of the Department of Regional
Community Technical Colleges for the state of New Hampshire, and Robert Danderson, mayor of Berlin who
was granted an honorary degree for the leadership he has shown during the hard times that have
confronted the region.
(In photo from left: CCSNH Berlin/Laconia President Karen Grosz, Berlin Mayor Robert
Danderson, Commissioner John O'Donnell)
Among those addressing the graduates were Louise Martel, president of the CCSNH-Berlin Student Senate
and Deborah Boivin, president of the college's chapter of Phi Kappa Theta National Honor Society.
John Harrigan who is well known resident of the North Country gave the main commencement address.
Harrigan is the publisher of the Colebrook News and Sentinel and a frequent participant on NH Public
Television and radio news shows.
Following the addresses, Commissioner O'Donnell made two special presentations. The first was an award
for teaching excellence which went to long time CCSNH-Berlin faculty member Glenn Gagne. The second
was an award for service excellence for a member of the CCSNH-Berlin staff. This was the first time
the service award was given and Claudette Fillion was the recipient.
After the speeches, honorary degree, and awards the main event of the afternoon, the awarding of
degrees, took place. Martha Laflamme, CCSNH-Berlin Director of Admissions, read the names while the
heads of the College's various departments handed out the diplomas. The graduating class received a
warm and rousing standing ovation from the assembled family and friends as they followed the tradition
of switching their tassels from the right to the left as a symbol of their new status as college
graduates.
The final piece of business was the presentation of the President's Award. This is granted annually to the graduating student with the highest grade point average. This year's recipient was Erica Owen of Colebrook. Owen completed her nursing degree with an overall grade point of 3.96 out of a possible 4.00.
(Photo: Erica Owen receiving the President's Award)
After the ceremony a reception was held in the College's cafeteria for the graduates and their guests.
Back to news list
