Massasoit Hosts First Black Graduating Student Recognition Ceremony
“Lift Every Voice” will be the first-such program at a community college in Massachusetts
BROCKTON, Mass (May 19, 2023) – Massasoit Community College will host its first Black Graduating Student Recognition Ceremony on May 22, 2023 on its Brockton campus. The event, titled “Lift Every Voice,” is the first of its kind to honor Black-identifying graduates at a community college in Massachusetts.
The event has been coordinated by the College’s faculty and staff members of the National Council on Black American Affairs’ (NCBAA) Bay State Chapter. During the event, students will process across the stage and be presented with special Kente Cloth graduation stoles and flowers, will hear from a number of inspiring speakers, inclusing Dr. Dariel “D.T.” Henry (author, podcast host, and Director of TRiO at Bristol Community College), and enjoy musical performances by opera singer Jermaine Tulloch and the Rose Conservatory under the direction of Greg Fernandes. About 50 students are expected to attend the event, and they include early college students who are earning their high school diplomas and associate degrees at the same time. The NCBAA will use the event as model for future events at other colleges across the Commonwealth.
“It is vitally important that we honor all of our graduates and recognize their unique accomplishments,” said Ray DiPasquale, President of Massasoit Community College. “We are excited to celebrate all of the great things our Black graduates have achieved here at Massasoit, and we applaud their next moves – be it starting a new career or continuing on to a four-year college. We are proud to have played a role in helping these students change their lives and achieve their dreams.”
“Every student’s path to graduation is different, and through affinity ceremonies such as “Lift Every Voice” we are helping to share the stories of our Black graduates by celebrating their success,” said Dr. Carine Sauvignon, Executive Dean of the Canton Campus, and an organizer of the event.
A council of the American Association of Community Colleges, the NCBAA serves as a collaborative voice, promoting the academic success of African American students, faculty, staff, and administrators. The Bay State Chapter promotes the development of the full human potential, teaching excellence through intellectual, social, and cultural enrichment and it encourages the advancement of Black students, faculty, staff, and administrators in Massachusetts’ community colleges. For more information, visit ncbaa-baystatema.org.
Event Details
Lift Every Voice: Black Graduating Student Recognition Ceremony
Livestream [LINK: vimeo.com/event/2459158]
May 22, 2023
6 – 7:30 p.m.
Buckley Performing Arts Center, Large Theatre
1 Massasoit Blvd.
Brockton, MA 02302
Founded in 1966, Massasoit Community College offers students from southeastern Massachusetts and beyond access to more than 60 associate degree and certificate programs across arts, sciences, applied sciences, healthcare, and technology at locations in Brockton, Canton, Middleborough, and online. More than 900 students graduate with a degree or certificate each year from Massasoit, and 2,600 students annually enroll in non-credit community education or workforce development courses. Massasoit students are given access to wraparound services provided on campus to support their success inside and outside the classroom. For more information, visit massasoit.edu.