Bunker Hill Community College Class of 2013 Sets New Graduation Record
Saturday, June 1, 2013
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 39th 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.
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About Bunker Hill Community College
With more than 50 years of academic excellence, Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) is Massachusetts' largest community college, annually welcoming a diverse community of around 16,000 students. With campuses in Charlestown and Chelsea, BHCC extends its reach across several locations in Greater Boston. The College offers associate degrees and certificates, early college and dual enrollment, community education, corporate training, and industry-specific training programs. BHCC is celebrated for its diversity, boasting a student body where 65% identify as people of color and more than half are women. The College also embraces a global perspective, with over 600 international students representing 90 countries and conversing in more than 65 languages. Our commitment to diversity is further reflected in BHCC's designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI).