Bunker Hill Community College Class of 2013 Sets New Graduation Record

News provided by

Jun 01, 2013, 02:37 ET

BOSTON, June 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- With the largest graduating class of more than 1,200 students, William H. Swanson, Chairman and CEO of Raytheon Company delivered the keynote address at the 39^th Commencement at Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) today. Mr. Swanson was honored with the highest award presented to a business and civic leader; the BHCC President's Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes extraordinary commitment and service to the College. Working with the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership, Swanson helped create the innovative "Learn and Earn" program at BHCC, which provides students with essential skills through workplace experience at some of the region's largest corporations.

Mary L. Fifield, who retires this month as President of BHCC, was presented with the Trustees' Distinguished Service Award for more than 16 years of outstanding leadership, exemplary service and commitment to students. As the College's longest serving president, she guided the institution on a remarkable journey of transformation that culminated in Bunker Hill Community College gaining local, state and national recognition because of its innovative programs, unique services to students, cyclical strategic planning events, data-driven decision-making, new approaches to instruction, weekend and midnight course options, award-winning publications and marketing materials, unprecedented enrollment growth, and numerous partnerships with area businesses, health care, community-based and educational institutions.

Two BHCC students were recognized for the All-USA Academic team, Ratnasari Lusiaga and Chelsea F. Slater. The All-USA Academic team was established for two-year colleges in 1990 when Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society joined with USA Today newspaper.

Ratnasari Lusiaga was also selected as one of the nation's Coca-Cola New Century Scholars. Only one student from each state is selected as a New Century Scholar. Lusiaga is the fifth BHCC student since 2005 to receive this yearly honor.

Media Contact:
Karen M. Norton, Executive Director of Integrated Marketing and Communications
Bunker Hill Community College, Boston, MA 02129
Phone: (617) 228-2177; Email: [email protected]

Bunker Hill Community College is the largest community college in Massachusetts. The College enrolls more than 14,000 students on two campuses and at three satellite locations. BHCC is one of the most diverse institutions of higher education in Massachusetts. Sixty-seven percent of the students are people of color and more than half of BHCC's students are women. The College also enrolls more than 800 international students who come from approximately 100 countries and speak more than 75 languages.

SOURCE Bunker Hill Community College