Massasoit’s Brooke Myers Honored as “29 Who Shine” Awardee

May 12, 2021 – Boston – Higher education leaders, students, faculty and staff were joined virtually by Governor Charlie Baker at the 10th Annual “29 Who Shine” Ceremony to salute 29 public college and university graduates who engaged in COVID-19 relief efforts in their communities this year while earning their degrees. Massasoit’s “29 Who Shine” Awardee was Brooke Myers. Myers has worked at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth in the critical care unit as a certified nursing assistant while attending Massasoit to become a registered nurse. She has demonstrated what a nurse should be in her practice as a CNA, working tirelessly throughout the pandemic while maintaining her studies at Massasoit.

This year’s “29 Who Shine” awards were presented in a YouTube Live ceremony on Thursday, May 13. Each year, these awards are given to one student from each of the Commonwealth’s 29 public campuses, including the 15 community colleges, nine state universities and five campuses of the University of Massachusetts.

Myers has been by the bedside of many COVID-positive patients and has helped keep them comfortable while their loved ones were not able to be with them. Last April, Myers, who also does admissions at a substance use treatment facility, recognized the unique stresses that the pandemic was causing to those in active recovery. She reached out to Massasoit to share resources for those who may have been struggling. A student representative for her nursing class for two years, she is always willing to help her classmates any way she can. Myers plans on earning her bachelor’s degree, then a master’s degree, and continuing to serve the community in which she lives.

“Brooke exemplifies the true nature of being a nurse – kindness, caring, passion, and perseverance” said Patricia Willis, associate professor of Nursing & Allied Health at Massasoit. “Brooke is a natural leader… I have no doubt that she will achieve much in her nursing career.”

“Ten years from now, the letter grades of the ‘29 Who Shine’ won’t matter. What we will remember is their commitment to their communities in a time of crisis,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Our public colleges and universities educate homegrown Massachusetts natives – people who are here to learn, and here to stay. They have shown how much they care about where they come from, how much they care about us, and how much they will contribute to the civic and economic future of our Commonwealth.”

“During the COVID-19 pandemic these extraordinary students stepped up to help their fellow citizens in ways they probably never imagined they would do prior to the health crisis. We are thankful for their willingness to help and serve others during this time, and their commitment to make a difference shows they will be successful in their future endeavors,” said Education Secretary James Peyser.

The 29 public college and university campuses in the Commonwealth selected the honorees for the “29 Who Shine” awards based on criteria established by the Department of Higher Education. Learn more about the other 28 other honorees here: www.mass.edu/system/29ws_winners2021.asp