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WEST
WINDSOR, N.J. -- On May 22 Mercer County Community College celebrated
the graduation of 935 students in outdoor ceremonies. Speaking on
behalf of the student population was Television major Jennifer Leigh,
a 2004 graduate of Nottingham High School. Leigh produced and directed
many live and taped television productions and won several awards
for her work. "When I came here, I was looking for a gold coin
and found the whole treasure chest," she said. Leigh plans
to continue her education in television production.
Addressing
the 2008 graduates was Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, who
began by saying she was proud that her son, Jared, was among the
graduates. She said to the green-robed grads, "Your professors
have given you a toolbox. It's up to you to decide what to do with
those tools. Don't ever stop learning; don't ever stop challenging
yourself and asking why." As the Majority Leader of the Democratic
New Jersey General Assembly, Coleman is the highest ranking woman
in the state legislature.
Following
a longstanding college awards tradition, Professor of Communication
Alvyn Haywood was presented with this year's Distinguished Teaching
Award, having been selected by his colleagues. In addition to chairing
the college's governing body, the College Forum, Haywood is a popular
voice on campus and also serves as the voice of Passage Theater
on WIMG AM radio. He recently completed the second year as host
and originator of the cable television variety program "What
Might Happen," which airs on Mercer's cable channel 26.
In
addition to holding many positions at MCCC for the past 15 years,
and teaching at both campuses, Haywood also teaches Human Communication
for Project Inside at the Garden State Correctional Facility. He
has served as a member of the Juvenile Intensive Supervisor Program
for the Juvenile Justice Commission. He holds a Masters of Divinity
Degree from Princeton Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Theater
Arts from St. Andrews Presbyterian College.
Also
on May 22 the college hosted its Honors Convocation, presenting
120 awards and scholarships to graduating students, including monetary
awards endowed by generous donors. In congratulating the awardees
MCCC President Patricia C. Donohue said "you have proven the
value and worth of our community college mission."
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