David Hoyt, Liberal Arts
David C. Hoyt will represent MCCC students as the Student Speaker. Hoyt is the recipient of the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship, created by the billionaire philanthropist. Given to only 40 community college students across the country, the honor includes a $30,000 per year scholarship for up to three years.

Hoyt, who maintains a 4.0 GPA, is president of the MCCC chapter of Phi Theta Kappa international honor society, and president of the college's international language honor society. He is past editor of the student newspaper, The College Voice, for which he earned an award from the N.J. Collegiate Press Association. He served as co-producer/technical director of MCN Live, the student weekly cable television news show.

With the goal of being an international diplomat or businessman, Hoyt's studies at Mercer have included Chinese, Arabic and Japanese. He plans to pursue a dual major in international relations and economics, with a minor in Asian studies, and is now deciding where he will be continuing his education. More here.

Tajh Laster, Exercise Science
As he prepares for graduation, Exercise Science major Tajh Laster says, "I am bubbling inside to get to the next phase of my life. I feel I am ready." A graduate of Trenton Central High School, Laster says his mother was a guiding force, as was Mercer's PASS program (Programs for Academic Services and Success). He notes that staff members were always available to help, but just as important was the cohesiveness and family atmosphere. "You could have a real conversation with them. They gave us support and encouragement," he says.

Laster is using his leadership skills at the Boys and Girls Club in Trenton, where he spent time during the spring semester. Working with youngsters from kindergarten through high school, he organized games, led a Fitness Camp, and took the children on trips. He says he will continue to work there over the summer.

Laster plans to transfer to William Paterson University in the fall to study kinesiology and earn his teaching certification in Physical Education.

Mother/Daughter Lisa DeMilio, Education,
and Bianca Tagariello, International Business
Mother/daughter Lisa DeMilio and Bianca Tagariello will graduate together. Adult student Lisa DeMilio, an Education major, has made the most of her Mercer experience, including serving as a mother figure to the "youngsters" in her classes. DeMilio is, in fact, the mother of a student in several of her classes. She is attending Mercer at the same time as her daughter, Bianca Tagariello, an International Business major.

Both are graduating in May and both will continue at Rider University. DeMilio is the current president of the Kappa Delta Pi International Education Honor Society and says that Mercer's Education program has been great for her. Daughter Bianca says she has enjoyed having her mom as a classmate. Clearly Mercer is a family affair, as DeMilio's son just began his college education at Mercer this spring.