Commencement 2024
[mk_page_section bg_image=”https://threerivers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/commencement-2018.jpg” bg_position=”center center” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” bg_stretch=”true” full_width=”true” padding_top=”0″ padding_bottom=”0″ sidebar=”sidebar-1″][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1469639571895{padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_empty_space height=”450px”][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=”true” tag_name=”h1″ color=”#ffffff” size=”80″ font_weight=”bold” txt_transform=”uppercase” margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”Oswald” font_type=”google” el_class=”page-title”]COMMENCEMENT[/mk_fancy_title][vc_empty_space height=”100px” el_class=”page-titlebg” css=”.vc_custom_1469639726224{background-color: rgba(253,181,21,0.8) !important;*background-color: rgb(77,49,142) !important;}”][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][vc_row fullwidth=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1469635777230{padding-left: 20px !important;}”][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”10″][ultimate_spacer height=”20″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row fullwidth=”true”][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1718057058314{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Commencement 2024
Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at 10:00 am
Welcome graduates and families! Commencement is a great milestone in one’s life. It is a time where graduates, family members, and friends come together to celebrate the students of CT State Three Rivers, their dedication, and their successes.
Congratulations to the graduates in the Class of 2024!
Commencement Central
This webpage will serve as the hub for all things Commencement: the ceremony, graduate profiles, a video recording of the ceremony, Nursing Pinning information, as well as a collection of media coverage, speeches and all the relevant information pertaining to the 2024 Commencement Ceremony.
Date and Location
Commencement 2024 will take place on Tuesday, May 28 at 10:00 am at Mohegan Sun. The event will take place rain or shine.
Participation in the ceremony
The annual May ceremony allows the campus to recognize students that completed their degree at the end of the Fall or Winter Terms plus those that will be finishing their degree requirements in May or August. Students must have filed a graduation application in their myCTState portal before April 15 and must be successfully completing (or registered in for Summer) their final classes prior to the Graduation “Palooza” event. All participating graduates must have ordered their cap/gown via Josten’s as coordinated by the Student Programming Office (SPO).
Commencement Ceremony
Those graduates and degree candidates participating in the ceremony are expected to arrive at Mohegan Sun Uncas Ballroom by 8:30 am on May 28. Students are asked to report to the Uncas Ballroom where directions will be provided for check-in and the processional line up will begin to form by 9:00 am.
Diplomas
Diplomas will be available at a later date, and students that have met all degree requirements will be notified via email when their diploma is ready for pickup
Cap and Gown Pick-up
Caps and gowns must be ordered by April 15 via the Cap and Gown Ordering form. Caps and gowns can be picked up on May 15 from 9 am to 7 pm at the Grad-a-Palooza in the multi-purpose room.
Grad Party
Graduates should attend the festive grad party on May 21 from 4 pm to 7 pm. The party will double as the rehearsal with free food, great music and giveaways!
Nursing Pinning
The 63rd Nursing Pinning Ceremony will take place Tuesday, May 28, at 1:00 p.m. at Mohegan Sun.
Day of Commencement
Seating
There is no assigned seating, however the best seats will normally be taken first and quickly. Each participating graduate will be allocated a limited number of tickets, depending on size of graduating class. Watch for specific information that will be available closer to Commencement.
Directions and Parking
- Directions to Mohegan Sun
- Parking is free. The closest parking garage to the venue is Riverview Garage.
Photography
Professional photos of the graduates will be taken by GradImages™ as students receive their diploma case and again after they exit the stage. Students will receive proofs from GradImages™ via email and these can also be viewed online at www.gradimages.com, however there is no obligation to purchase.
Personal photographs and videos may be taken only from seats or in the designated photo area to the left of the stage.
View photos from commencement.
Video
The entire commencement will be filmed by Three Rivers and live streamed on the Three Rivers YouTube page. A link to the live stream will also be available on the CT State Three Rivers Facebook page. The video will be available on the Three Rivers YouTube Channel.
Do’s and Don’ts
- Photographs and videos may be taken only from seats or in the designated photo area.
- Cell phones should be set to silent during the ceremony.
- Please remain in your seat until the end of the ceremony.
- No balloons or confetti will be permitted inside the ballroom.
- No liquor or smoking is permitted.
Disruptive Behavior Notice
Commencement is a celebratory occasion and we should respect the hard work of our graduates, as well as their families and friends in attendance. Any individual or group engaging in activity that interrupts or disrupts the normal progression of the ceremonies is not permitted and anyone engaging in that behavior will be asked to leave the event. Failure to leave may result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the college. Disruptive behaviors and/or refusing to leave when ordered may result in police action and subsequent criminal charges
Congratulation Videos
Congratulations to this Year’s Graduates!
Congratulations Class of 2024!
CT State Inaugural Commencement Exercises 2024
Video Transcript
| Time Code | Audio | Visuals |
| 00:00-00:03 | [BAGPIPE MUSIC – The Brave] | Blue screen with CT State seal
Words on the screen read “Inaugural Commencement Exercises 2024-Connecticut State Community College” |
| 00:03-00:06 | [BAGPIPE MUSIC – The Brave] | Musicians march while playing the bagpipes and drums |
| 00:12-00:16 | Male Voice 1: “In May, Connecticut State Community College celebrated its inaugural commencement. | Montage of video clips from each of the campus ceremonies including students marching, receiving degrees, crossing stages, waving at the camera, flipping tassel, speakers at podiums, shaking hands, clapping, etc. |
| 00:16-00:31 | The product of the consolidation of Connecticut’s twelve community colleges, CT State is Connecticut’s largest college and recognized its first graduates with ceremonies across the state.” [Music and Students Cheering] | Montage of video clips from each of the campus ceremonies, including students marching, receiving degrees, crossing stages, waving at the camera, flipping tassels, speakers at podiums, shaking hands, clapping, etc. |
| 00:32-00:51 | Male Voice 2: “Whether a student started at one of the legacy colleges, or completed their credentials completely under the auspices of CT State, one thing was clear – their commencement was the highlight of their academic career and an opportunity to celebrate their hard work and thank the family and friends who supported their success.” [Music and Students Cheering] | Montage of video clips from each of the campus ceremonies including students marching, receiving degrees, crossing stages, waving at the camera, flipping tassel, speakers at podiums, shaking hands, clapping, etc. |
| 00:52-00:57 | Male Voice 3: “More than five thousand degrees and certificates were awarded during the twelve ceremonies.” | Montage of video clips from each of the campus ceremonies, including students marching, receiving degrees, crossing stages, waving at the camera, flipping tassels, speakers at podiums, shaking hands, clapping, etc. |
| 00:57-01:04 | Female Voice 1: “CT State President Dr. John Maduko offered words of congratulations and encouragement at six of the campuses.” | Montage of video clips from each of the campus ceremonies including students marching, receiving degrees, crossing stages, waving at the camera, flipping tassel, speakers at podiums, shaking hands, clapping, etc. |
| 01:04-01:28 | Voice of Dr. John Maduko: “We are thankful to your families and faculty and staff and mentors in your lives, who have been with you for every step of your journey. These relationships have been fundamental to your success, providing a foundation of support that has brought us to this joyous celebration.” [MUSIC] | The video of Dr. Maduko’s speech overlaps with clips from each of the campus ceremonies, including students marching, receiving degrees, crossing stages, waving at the camera, flipping a tassel, speakers at podiums, shaking hands, clapping, etc. |
| 01:29-01:35 | Female Voice 1: “Special guest speakers and student award winners inspired graduates at all twelve.” | Montage of video clips from each of the campus ceremonies including students marching, receiving degrees, crossing stages, waving at the camera, flipping tassel, speakers at podiums, shaking hands, clapping, etc. |
| 01:35-01:44 | Dr. Richard Blumenthol: “Congratulations! You did it. You made it, and you deserve a great round of applause from all of us!” | Richard Blumenthol speaks at the podium |
| 01:44-01:46 | [APPLAUSE] | Students in audience clap |
| 01:46-02:07 | Student speaker: “No matter how low you’ve been, you’ve made it to where you are now. And if you’ve done this, you already have the tools to accomplish whatever you want to in life. Keep taking those steps little by little, one by one, day after day, and don’t let your challenges or your past define you.” [MUSIC] | Student Speaker at the podium and students in the audience listening intently to her speech. |
| 02:07-02:16 | CEO Kim Hogan: “Campus CEOs and Presidents lead the proceedings, and were joined on the platform by campus leaders, dignitaries, and students with exceptional academic records.” | Montage of video clips from each of the campus ceremonies including students marching, receiving degrees, crossing stages, waving at the camera, flipping tassel, speakers at podiums, shaking hands, clapping, etc. |
| 02:16-02:22 | Male Voice 4: “Faculty ushered their students through the commencement procession while staff encouraged them.” | Montage of video clips from each of the campus ceremonies, including students marching, receiving degrees, crossing stages, waving at the camera, flipping tassels, speakers at podiums, shaking hands, clapping, etc. |
| 02:22-02:31 | Male Voice 5: “Families and friends cheered as diplomas were handed out, and tears of pride were shed both on the stage, and in the audience.” [MUSIC] | Montage of video clips from each of the campus ceremonies including students marching, receiving degrees, crossing stages, waving at the camera, flipping tassel, speakers at podiums, shaking hands, clapping, etc. |
| 02:32-02:41 | Male Voice 6: “After every ceremony, students and their guests posed for photos. Prominent in each was a proud graduate holding a diploma.” | Montage of video clips from each of the campus ceremonies, including students marching, receiving degrees, crossing stages, waving at the camera, flipping tassels, speakers at podiums, shaking hands, clapping, etc. |
| 02:41-02:58 | CEO Kim Hogan: “CT State’s inaugural commencement ceremonies celebrated the very best that each campus had to offer – their outstanding students, the support of faculty and staff who saw them through their journey, and the love and pride of their family and friends as they saw the tangible reward of their student’s commitment and dedication to improving their lives and that of their families.” | Montage of video clips from each of the campus ceremonies including students marching, receiving degrees, crossing stages, waving at the camera, flipping tassel, speakers at podiums, shaking hands, clapping, etc. |
| 02:58-03:05 | Overlapping voices: “Congratulations to all of the Class of 2024!” [MUSIC] | Montage of video clips from each of the campus ceremonies, including students marching, receiving degrees, crossing stages, waving at the camera, flipping tassels, speakers at podiums, shaking hands, clapping, etc. |
Press
Press coverage will be posted here.
Social Media
Please feel free to share your own photos and videos with us on social media. Be sure to use #CTSTATE2024.
QUESTIONS?
Please email to: TR-Commencement@trcc.comment.edu with any questions you may have related to the Commencement event.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][mk_custom_sidebar sidebar=”sidebar-19″][mk_custom_sidebar el_class=”programpage-sidebar” sidebar=”sidebar-25″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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Commencement 2023
[mk_page_section bg_image=”https://threerivers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/commencement-2018.jpg” bg_position=”center center” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” bg_stretch=”true” full_width=”true” padding_top=”0″ padding_bottom=”0″ sidebar=”sidebar-1″][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1469639571895{padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_empty_space height=”450px”][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=”true” tag_name=”h1″ color=”#ffffff” size=”80″ font_weight=”bold” txt_transform=”uppercase” margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”Oswald” font_type=”google” el_class=”page-title”]COMMENCEMENT[/mk_fancy_title][vc_empty_space height=”100px” el_class=”page-titlebg” css=”.vc_custom_1469639726224{background-color: rgba(253,181,21,0.8) !important;*background-color: rgb(77,49,142) !important;}”][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][vc_row fullwidth=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1469635777230{padding-left: 20px !important;}”][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”10″][ultimate_spacer height=”20″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row fullwidth=”true”][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1711652620977{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Commencement 2023
Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at 5:00 pm
Welcome graduates and families! Commencement is a great milestone in one’s life. It is a time where graduates, family members, and friends come together to celebrate the students of Three Rivers Community College, their dedication, and their successes.
Congratulations to the graduates in the Class of 2023!
Commencement Central
This webpage will serve as the hub for all things Commencement: the ceremony, graduate profiles, a video recording of the ceremony, Nursing Pinning information, as well as a collection of media coverage, speeches and all the relevant information pertaining to the 2023 Commencement Ceremony.
Date and Location
Commencement 2023 will take place on Wednesday, May 24 at 5:00 pm on the Green at Three Rivers Community College. The event will take place, rain or shine.
2023 Graduate Profiles
We’re excited to announce that we will have a Graduate Profiles page again in 2023. You’ll be able to see profiles of our pending graduates who participated and sign their guest book to wish them the best. View the Graduate Profiles here.
Graduates, you can access the Graduate Profile Information Form here to enter your information and upload your photo. Your profile will be posted within a week of approval.
Participation in the ceremony
The annual May ceremony allows the campus to recognize students that completed their degree at the end of the end of the Fall or Winter Terms plus those that will be finishing their degree requirements in May or August. Students must have filed a graduation application before May 1 and must be successfully completing (or registered in for Summer) their final classes prior to the Graduation “Palooza” event. All participating graduates must have ordered their cap/gown via Josten’s as coordinated by the Student Programming Office (SPO).
Commencement Ceremony
Those graduates and degree candidates participating in the ceremony are expected to arrive on campus by 3:30pm on May 24. Students are asked to report to the Multi-purpose Room (D-117) where the directions will be provided and the processional line up will begin to form by 4pm.
Diplomas
For students that applied early, printed diplomas have been ordered. TRCC is hopeful that diplomas will be able to be distributed at (or after) the ceremony to those that have been completed all degree requirements. Should this not be able to be facilitated, the Registrar’s Office will be in contact with all graduates about picking up their diploma (or having it mailed) about June 1.
Cap and Gown Pick-up
Caps and gowns must be ordered by April 15 via the Cap and Gown Ordering form. Students will need to come by the “Graduation Palooza” on Monday, May 15, between 11am and 6pm at the Dining Hall (Cafeteria seating) area.
Nursing Pinning
The 61st Nursing Pinning Ceremony will take place Tuesday, May 23, at 5:00 p.m. in the Three Rivers multi-purpose room.
Day of Commencement
Seating
There is no assigned seating, however the best seats will normally be taken first and quickly. No tickets are issued to graduates to reserve seats for family.
Rain Plan
- There will be no rain date.
- If the weather is too inclement (thunder and lightning), Commencement will be moved indoors to the Multipurpose Room which can only accommodate students, faculty, and platform party members. All family and guests will be directed to others areas including classrooms and the Dining Hall to watch a live stream broadcast of the ceremony.
Directions and Parking
- Directions
- Parking is free and can be found in multiple lots around the campus.
- Graduates will receive two parking passes with their cap and gown package, which were distributed during Graduation Palooza.
Photography
Professional photos of the graduates will be taken by GradImages™ as students receive their diploma case and again after they exit the stage. Students will receive proofs from GradImages™ via email and these can also be viewed online at www.gradimages.com, however there is no obligation to purchase.
Personal photographs and videos may be taken only from seats or in the designated photo area to the left of the stage.
View photos from commencement.
Video
The entire commencement will be filmed by Three Rivers and live streamed on the Three Rivers YouTube page. A link to the live stream will also be available on the Three Rivers Community College Facebook page. The video is now available on the Three Rivers YouTube Channel.
Flowers
Flowers will be available for purchase before the ceremony near the Clock Tower. All proceeds will support the Three Rivers Alumni Association.
Do’s and Don’ts
- Photographs and videos may be taken only from seats or in the designated photo area to the left of the stage.
- Cell phones should be set to silent during the ceremony.
- Please remain in your seat until the end of the ceremony.
Press
Social Media
Please feel free to share your own photos and videos with us on social media. Be sure to use #TRCC2023.
QUESTIONS?
Please email to: TR-Commencement@trcc.comment.edu with any questions you may have related to the Commencement event.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][mk_custom_sidebar sidebar=”sidebar-19″][mk_custom_sidebar el_class=”programpage-sidebar” sidebar=”sidebar-25″][/vc_column][/vc_row] READ MORECommencement 2023 Graduate Profiles
[mk_page_section bg_image=”https://threerivers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/commencement-2018.jpg” bg_position=”center center” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” bg_stretch=”true” full_width=”true” padding_top=”0″ padding_bottom=”0″ sidebar=”sidebar-1″][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1469639571895{padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_empty_space height=”450px”][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=”true” tag_name=”h1″ color=”#ffffff” size=”80″ font_weight=”bold” txt_transform=”uppercase” margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”Oswald” font_type=”google” el_class=”page-title”]COMMENCEMENT 2023
[/mk_fancy_title][vc_empty_space height=”100px” el_class=”page-titlebg” css=”.vc_custom_1469639726224{background-color: rgba(253,181,21,0.8) !important;*background-color: rgb(77,49,142) !important;}”][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][vc_row fullwidth=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1469635777230{padding-left: 20px !important;}”][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”10″][ultimate_spacer height=”20″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row fullwidth=”true”][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1676390861721{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Commencement 2023 Graduate Profiles
Welcome to our 2023 Graduate Profiles page. Please enter your search criteria below.
{!{wpv-view name=’graduates-2023′}!}
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][mk_custom_sidebar sidebar=”sidebar-19″][mk_custom_sidebar el_class=”programpage-sidebar” sidebar=”sidebar-25″][/vc_column][/vc_row] READ MORECommencement 2022 Graduate Profiles
[mk_page_section bg_image=”https://threerivers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/commencement-2018.jpg” bg_position=”center center” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” bg_stretch=”true” full_width=”true” padding_top=”0″ padding_bottom=”0″ sidebar=”sidebar-1″][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1469639571895{padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_empty_space height=”450px”][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=”true” tag_name=”h1″ color=”#ffffff” size=”80″ font_weight=”bold” txt_transform=”uppercase” margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”Oswald” font_type=”google” el_class=”page-title”]COMMENCEMENT 2022
[/mk_fancy_title][vc_empty_space height=”100px” el_class=”page-titlebg” css=”.vc_custom_1469639726224{background-color: rgba(253,181,21,0.8) !important;*background-color: rgb(77,49,142) !important;}”][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][vc_row fullwidth=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1469635777230{padding-left: 20px !important;}”][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”10″][ultimate_spacer height=”20″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row fullwidth=”true”][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1649360681766{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Commencement 2022 Graduate Profiles
Welcome to our 2022 Graduate Profiles page. Please enter your search criteria below.
{!{wpv-view name=’graduates-2022′}!}
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][mk_custom_sidebar sidebar=”sidebar-19″][mk_custom_sidebar el_class=”programpage-sidebar” sidebar=”sidebar-25″][/vc_column][/vc_row] READ MORECommencement 2022
[mk_page_section bg_image=”https://threerivers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/commencement-2018.jpg” bg_position=”center center” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” bg_stretch=”true” full_width=”true” padding_top=”0″ padding_bottom=”0″ sidebar=”sidebar-1″][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1469639571895{padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_empty_space height=”450px”][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=”true” tag_name=”h1″ color=”#ffffff” size=”80″ font_weight=”bold” txt_transform=”uppercase” margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”Oswald” font_type=”google” el_class=”page-title”]COMMENCEMENT[/mk_fancy_title][vc_empty_space height=”100px” el_class=”page-titlebg” css=”.vc_custom_1469639726224{background-color: rgba(253,181,21,0.8) !important;*background-color: rgb(77,49,142) !important;}”][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][vc_row fullwidth=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1469635777230{padding-left: 20px !important;}”][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”10″][ultimate_spacer height=”20″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row fullwidth=”true”][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1654106683420{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Commencement 2022
Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at 5:00 pm
Welcome graduates and families! Commencement is a great milestone in one’s life. It is a time where graduates, family members, and friends come together to celebrate the students of Three Rivers Community College, their dedication, and their successes.
Congratulations to the graduates in the Class of 2022!
Commencement Central
This webpage will serve as the hub for all things Commencement: the ceremony, graduate profiles, a video recording of the ceremony, Nursing Pinning information, as well as a collection of media coverage, speeches and all the relevant information pertaining to the 2022 Commencement Ceremony.
Date and Location
Commencement 2022 will take place on Wednesday, May 25 at 5:00 pm on the Green at Three Rivers Community College. The event will take place, rain or shine.
2022 Graduate Profiles
We’re excited to announce that we will have a Graduate Profiles page again in 2022. You’ll be able to see profiles of our pending graduates who participated and sign their guest book to wish them the best. View the Graduate Profiles here.
Graduates, you can access the Graduate Profile Information Form here to enter your information and upload your photo. Your profile will be posted within a week of approval.
Participation in the ceremony
The annual May ceremony allows the campus to recognize students that completed their degree at the end of the end of the Fall or Winter Terms plus those that will be finishing their degree requirements in May or August. Students must have filed a graduation application before May 1 and must be successfully completing (or registered in for Summer) their final classes prior to the Graduation “Palooza” event. All participating graduates must have ordered their cap/gown via Josten’s as coordinated by the Student Programming Office (SPO).
Commencement Ceremony
Those graduates and degree candidates participating in the ceremony are expected to arrive on campus by 3:30pm on May 25. Students are asked to report to the Multi-purpose Room (D-117) where the directions will be provided and the processional line up will begin to form by 4pm.
Diplomas
For students that applied early, printed diplomas have been ordered. TRCC is hopeful that diplomas will be able to be distributed at (or after) the ceremony to those that have been completed all degree requirements. Should this not be able to be facilitated, the Registrar’s Office will be in contact with all graduates about picking up their diploma (or having it mailed) about June 1.
Cap and Gown Pick-up
Caps and gowns will be available for pick-up only to those who requested them via the Cap and Gown Ordering form. Students will need to come by the “Graduation Palooza” on Wednesday, May 11, between 11am and 6pm at the Dining Hall (Cafeteria seating) area.
Nursing Pinning
The 59th Nursing Pinning Ceremony will take place Tuesday, May 24, at 5:00 p.m. in the Three Rivers multi-purpose room.
Day of Commencement
Seating
There is no assigned seating, however the best seats will normally be taken first and quickly. No tickets are issued to graduates to reserve seats for family.
Rain Plan
- There will be no rain date.
- If the weather is too inclement (thunder and lightning), Commencement will be moved indoors to the Multipurpose Room which can only accommodate students, faculty, and platform party members. All family and guests will be directed to others areas including classrooms and the Dining Hall to watch a live stream broadcast of the ceremony.
Directions and Parking
- Directions
- Parking is free and can be found in multiple lots around the campus.
- Graduates will receive two parking passes with their cap and gown package, which were distributed during Graduation Palooza.
Photography
Professional photos of the graduates will be taken by GradImages™ as students receive their diploma case and again after they exit the stage. Students will receive proofs from GradImages™ via email and these can also be viewed online at www.gradimages.com, however there is no obligation to purchase.
Personal photographs and videos may be taken only from seats or in the designated photo area to the left of the stage.
Video
The entire commencement will be filmed by Three Rivers and live streamed on the Three Rivers YouTube page. A link to the live stream will also be available on the Three Rivers Community College Facebook page. The video will be posted here by June 1, 2022.
Flowers
Flowers will be available for purchase before the ceremony near the Clock Tower. All proceeds will support the Three Rivers Alumni Association.
Do’s and Don’ts
- Photographs and videos may be taken only from seats or in the designated photo area to the left of the stage.
- Cell phones should be set to silent during the ceremony.
- Please remain in your seat until the end of the ceremony.
News Coverage
The Day – “From ages 17 to 69, students from all walks of life graduate from Three Rivers”
Social Media
Please feel free to share your own photos and videos with us on social media. Be sure to use #TRCC2022.
QUESTIONS?
Please email to: TR-Commencement@trcc.comment.edu with any questions you may have related to the Commencement event.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][mk_custom_sidebar sidebar=”sidebar-19″][mk_custom_sidebar el_class=”programpage-sidebar” sidebar=”sidebar-25″][/vc_column][/vc_row] READ MORESpring 2021 Dean’s List
Three Rivers Community College is pleased to release the Spring 2021 Dean’s List.
Congratulations to those students who made the Dean’s List this spring!
Students earn their place on the Dean’s List by receiving a 3.4 or higher grade point average based on a minimum of 12 credit hours.
Student Names and Towns
Sophie A. Arustei, Salem, CT
Paige A. Babcock, Niantic, CT
Frederick A. Bacamante, Groton, CT
Lorenzo A. Blanco, Gales Ferry, CT
Kimberly A. Boulay, Norwich, CT
Julia A. Boyce, Foster, RI
Brandon A. Chance, Voluntown, CT
Abigail A. Cossou, New London, CT
Brian A. Dec II, Colchester, CT
Ashley A. Doak, Niantic, CT
Josue A. Escobar, Bethany, CT
Tyler A. Guertin, Norwich, CT
Sarah A. Haggett, Canterbury, CT
Jocelyn A. Hanley, Old Saybrook, CT
Stacey A. Johnson, Plainfield, CT
Lisa A. Joyner, Oakdale, CT
Svetlana A. Kasem-Beg, Waterford, CT
Juliet A. Kimble, Oakdale, CT
Lisa A. Kutneski, Plainfield, CT
Dorie A. Langlois, New London, CT
Kayla A. Lopez, Groton, CT
Malachi A. Meuse, Niantic, CT
Joel A. Ortiz, New London, CT
Adriana A. Peralta-Jimenez, Norwich, CT
Dimitri A. Pia, Waterford, CT
Robert A. Rhoades Jr, Jewett City, CT
Zoe A. Ribeiro, Pawcatuck, CT
Thomas A. Rogers, North Grosvenordale, CT
Richard A. Sadler, Niantic, CT
Katja A. Sieling, Ledyard, CT
Lauren A. Susi, Gales Ferry, CT
Hope A. Tracy, Canterbury, CT
Ariel B. Babbitt, Gales Ferry, CT
Laura B. Chester, Mystic, CT
Chad B. Johnston, Waterford, CT
Lydia C. Clifford, Branford, CT
Dustin C. Durham, Waterford, CT
Andrew C. Haase, East Lyme, CT
Danielle C. LaSalle, Taftville, CT
Lord Han Godric C. Magpali, Groton, CT
Bellana C. Parungao, Gales Ferry, CT
Nichole C. Rodriguez, Preston, CT
Brooke C. Speller, Waterford, CT
Gregory C. Wetzel, Salem, CT
Jermaine D. Beason, Windsor, CT
Brendan D. Bernier, Uncasville, CT
Ingrid D. Burdick, Uncasville, CT
Connor D. Hogan, Old Lyme, CT
Megan D. Kurey, Westerly, RI
Bountai D. McCaffrey, Norwich, CT
Matthew D. McNulty, Willimantic, CT
Alexandria D. Moore, Waterford, CT
Allen D. Murallo, Salem, CT
Derrick D. Otero, Salem, CT
Tyasha D. Pace, Greenwich, CT
Dillon D. Palombizio, Lebanon, CT
Matthew D. Schreiter, Lebanon, CT
Abigail D. Tabilas, Preston, CT
Luis E. Andino, Gales Ferry, CT
Caitlyn E. Anton, East Lyme, CT
Katherine E. Archer, Pawcatuck, CT
Nolan E. Arruda, North Stonington, CT
Meghan E. Babb, Groton, CT
Brooke E. Benedict, Hampton, CT
Kayla E. Brackett, Waterford, CT
Courtney E. Cyr, Canterbury, CT
Eymi E. Delcid, Waterbury, CT
Ezra E. Delgado, New London, CT
Gavin E. Grabowski, Deep River, CT
Payton E. Hall, Gales Ferry, CT
Gillian E. Jordan, Mystic, CT
Lauren E. Kearney, Gales Ferry, CT
Kayleen E. Keefe, East Lyme, CT
Andrew E. LeBlanc, Groton, CT
Julia E. Maranzano, Gales Ferry, CT
Kevin E. McMenemy, Moosup, CT
Cassondra E. Nowland, New London, CT
Sage E. Passarelli, Waterford, CT
James E. Pepin Jr, Norwich, CT
Marissa E. Purcell, Waterford, CT
Mikayla E. Tigner, East Hampton, CT
Ashley E. Werber, Norwich, CT
Cole E. Wilbur, Pawcatuck, CT
Thomas F. Ashton, Groton, CT
Austin F. Egger, Pawcatuck, CT
Emma F. Stilphen, Waterford, CT
Eric G. Anderson, Groton, CT
Karina G. Huerta, New London, CT
Ethan G. Miller, Norwich, CT
Kelsey G. Ng, Ledyard, CT
Devon G. Sousa, Quaker Hill, CT
Stanley H. Beckford, Groton, CT
Jason H. Bowser, East Hampton, CT
Fiona Elizabeth H. Torre, Groton, CT
Eric H. Weissenborn, Willimantic, CT
Hannah I. Carlson, Oakdale, CT
Alisha I. Towpas,z Pawcatuck, CT
Juliet I. Walker, Lebanon, CT
Veronica J. Bowles, Lisbon, CT
Monica J. Brooks, Voluntown, CT
Abimelech J. Caraballo, Norwich, CT
Kelsey J. Coriaty, Norwich, CT
Tiffany J. Delancy, Norwich, CT
Andrew J. Donnelly, North Grosvenordale, CT
Richard J. Gagnier, Deep River, CT
David J. Jones, Uncasville, CT
Aykurt J. Kalican, Quaker Hill, CT
Karissa J. Knudson, Voluntown, CT
Aaron J. Lanati, Salem, CT
Nicholas J. Litke, North Stonington, CT
David J. Medina, New London, CT
John J. Minnifield, Uncasville, CT
Angel J. Molina, Plainfield, CT
Guill J. Pomales-Velez, Fort Worth, TX
Kayla J. Rivera, Moodus, CT
Cameron J. Sousa, Groton, CT
Nicolas J. Spuches, Wethersfield, CT
Tanner J. Suplita, Norwich, CT
Nathan J. Swift, Uncasville, CT
Andrew J. Thevenet, Voluntown, CT
Ryan J. Tramont, Groton, CT
Katherine J. Trejo, New London, CT
Fabri J. Villanueva-Verde, New London, CT
Conrad J. Waters, Preston, CT
Tanner J. White, Oakdale, CT
Nicholas J. Wylie, Canterbury, CT
Aaron K. Brooks, Norwich, CT
Rita K. Coyner, Temecula, CA
Cardell K. McKinney, New London, CT
Brandolf K. Schlieper, Norwich, CT
Braxton K. Smith, Groton, CT
Mariel K. Willbanks, Old Saybrook, CT
Maximilian L. Adamson, Waterford, CT
Charlotte L. Avery, North Franklin, CT
Laurie L. Baker, Ellington, CT
August L. Carignan, Danielson, CT
Franchesca L. Casucog, Norwich, CT
Dani L. Collins, North Grosvenordale, CT
Tamika L. Coppedge, Norwich, CT
Ashley L. Davis, Lisbon, CT
Isabella L. D’Eliseo, Marlborough, CT
Jessica L. Fenner, Preston, CT
Donna L. Flowers, Griswold, CT
Christy L. Gregg, Waterford, CT
Maylyn L. Haydash, Ledyard, CT
Jessica L. Hewitt, Preston, CT
Amanda L. Hutchinson, Johnson City, NY
Carter L. King, Norwich, CT
Vanessa L. Labonte, Taftville, CT
Christina L. Marotti, Wallingford, CT
Cathy L. Marvin, Colchester, CT
Jacqueline L. McGrade, Gales Ferry, CT
Korrine L. Nye, Ledyard, CT
Jennifer L. Paul, New London, CT
Daphne L. Roberts, Groton, CT
Harry L. Sanders IV, Norwich, CT
Coral L. Smedberg, New London, CT
Stacey L. Smith, Taftville, CT
Matthew L. Snyder, Griswold, CT
Brittany L. Stickman, Preston, CT
Cara L. Tingley, Canterbury, CT
Herminia L. Torre, North Stonington, CT
Melissa L. Valenzuela, Niantic, CT
Crystal L. Vallieres, Colchester, CT
Jordan L. Wheeler, Preston, CT
Jherymel M. Adille, Norwich, CT
Joy M. Amarante, Dayville, CT
Selena M. Baker, Waterford, CT
Seth M. Barr, Oneco, CT
Joseph M. Bernardo, Oakdale, CT
Alexa M. Blais, Lisbon, CT
Hunter M. Bossie, Griswold, CT
Julianna M. Cargo, Windham, CT
Jessica M. Coggeshall, Norwich, CT
David M. Donnelly, Branford, CT
Autumn M. Ehman, Waterford, CT
Nicole M. Fisher, Pawcatuck, CT
Carson M. Gibbs, Norwich, CT
Hannah M. Gienau, Pawcatuck, CT
Noelis M. Guzman, Norwich, CT
Erin M. Harris, Ledyard, CT
Alyson M. Hartung, Oakdale, CT
Sean M. Hayslip, Bozrah, CT
Ryan M. Hessling, Waterford, CT
Tara M. Hoyt, Mystic, CT
Theodore M. Kapinos, Bozrah, CT
Steven M. Kind, Uncasville, CT
Susan M. Kobyluck, Oakdale, CT
Leah M. McNeir, Mystic, CT
Lorenzo M. Morales, Preston, CT
Kayla M. Morey, Plainfield, CT
Sean M. Morris, Groton, CT
Quinn M. Ottilige, Canterbury, CT
Tamar M. Pensis, Canterbury, CT
Lillian M. Ramos, Norwich, CT
Cynthia M. Resto, New London, CT
Emily M. Robinson, Uncasville, CT
Andres M. Rosas, Yantic, CT
Dominick M. Saguiped, Uncasville, CT
Fiona M. Saunders, Old Saybrook, CT
Katherine M. Sloan, Coventry, CT
Sister Alexandria M. Smith, Baltic, CT
Jenna M. Topalis, Ledyard, CT
Melissa M. Tucker, Waterford, CT
Kelsey M. Wilson, Waterford, CT
Rhiannon M. Wing, Colchester,CT
Elizabeth M. Wyland, Voluntown, CT
Raleigh N. Aboy, Groton, CT
Julia N. Antezzo, Gales Ferry, CT
Auri N. Baez, New London, CT
Anthony N. Bailey, Griswold, CT
Le N. Czaja, Norwich, CT
Yamila N. Garcia, Ledyard, CT
Alexandria N. Neal, Waterford, CT
Jasmine N. Peterson, Groton, CT
Remanje O. Carter, Jewett City, CT
Ifeoluwa O. Sogunle, New London, CT
Eric P. Belske, Putnam, CT
Andrew P. Lambert, Willimantic, CT
Mariah P. Lupo, North Stonington, CT
Justen P. O’Dell, Groton, CT
Chanel P. Puetz, Baltic, CT
Sean P. Williams, East Lyme, CT
Jessica R. Bell, Groton, CT
Ian R. Carey, Colchester, CT
Devin R. Chenail, Brooklyn, CT
Stephen R. Cloudas ,Mystic, CT
Emme R. Drummond, Ledyard, CT
Maranda R. Hay, North Franklin, CT
Beatriz R. Lawler, Norwich, CT
Cadey R. McCormack, Jewett City, CT
Justin R. Murphy, Niantic, CT
Michelle R. Oliver, Groton, CT
Zeta R. Perry, Norwich, CT
Marcus R. Ploof, Colchester, CT
Jason R. Plotkin, Westerly, RI
Caroline R. Powell, Groton, CT
Liam R. Rubarth-Lay, Ledyard, CT
Kimberlin R. Stanford, Norwich, CT
Gabriel R. Stark, North Stonington, CT
Cassidy R. Stefanski, Uncasville, CT
Nazarene R. Vasile, Norwich, CT
Rachel R. Weed, Gales Ferry, CT
Caitlynn R. Wiese, Voluntown, CT
James S. Arnold, Jewett City, CT
April S. Baker, Colchester, CT
Mustapha S. Bello, Uncasville, CT
Marc S. Bryan, Preston, CT
Nyila S. Carter, Jewett City, CT
Noah S. Carver, Uncasville, CT
Helen S. Funk, New London, CT
Nathaniel S. Horgan, New London, CT
Benjamin S. Kinnie, Griswold, CT
Kshanti S. Livingston, Lisbon, CT
Nicholas S. Niedojadlo, Quaker Hill,CT
Naoko S. Sinrich, Oakdale, CT
Darren S. Swiatlowski, Canterbury, CT
Thomas S. Whitman III, Niantic, CT
Kenneth T. Aanensen, Oakdale, CT
April T. Breen, East Haddam, CT
Michael T. Gibbens, Norwich, CT
Sabrina T. Piccione, Groton, CT
Monn T. Pierre, Norwich, CT
Jake T. Shumbo, Colchester, CT
William T. Tate, Norwich, CT
Joseph T. Zachas, Colchester, CT
Kiera V. Burlingame McCord, Norwich, CT
Elizabeth V. Exley, Canterbury, CT
Gwendolyn V. Glaude, Pawcatuck, CT
Jenna V. Milukas, Quaker Hill, CT
Ankush V. Tolani, Jewett City, CT
James W. Armstrong, Uncasville, CT
Christopher W. Clark, Norwich, CT
Timothy W. Flynn, Ledyard, CT
Andrew W. Kunze, Niantic, CT
Allen W. Lyon, Norwich, CT
Anthony W. Mazzella, North Stonington, CT
Robert W. Warren, Waterford, CT
Ada Y. Davila-Rosario, New London, CT
Maxine Adamson, Waterford, CT
Ramia Alakkad, Groton, CT
Angelina Andreozzi, Westerly, RI
Willy Andujar, Norwich, CT
Enilyan Aponte Febus, New London, CT
Nicholas Ashley, Colchester, CT
Sierra Atchley, North Stonington, CT
Kelly Bailey, Putnam, CT
Larissa Bailey, Putnam, CT
Stephanie Baldwin, Amston, CT
Krystal Banushi, Norwich, CT
Scott Baumgartner, Waterford, CT
Kami Bedingfield, Waterford, CT
Arly Berroa, Norwich, CT
Erik Blanco, Norwich, CT
Briahna Borysewicz, Quaker Hill, CT
Davon Brown, Wauregan, CT
Mercedees Bruton, Norwich, CT
Taylor Burch, Groton, CT
Shelby Burdick, Groton, CT
Lilia Burdo, Norwich, CT
Madison Cann, Old Lyme, CT
Ilia Chavez, New London, CT
Jason Chen, Norwich, CT
Kevin Chen, Norwich, CT
Patience Clarke, Groton, CT
Jessica Cleary, Quaker Hill, CT
Matthew Clunan, East Hampton, CT
Meghann Coers, Taftville, CT
Sarah Collins, Shelton, CT
Melissa Curran, Quaker Hill, CT
Christine Debroisse, Waterford, CT
Lynda Denomme, Mystic, CT
Jeremie DeWitt, Groton, CT
Cris Dias, Norwich, CT
Jennifer Dragon, Bozrah, CT
Tiraa Edwards, New London, CT
Victoria Eisenhauer, Norwich, CT
Savannah Eldridge, Preston, CT
Rida Fatima, Norwich, CT
Chanel Ferguson, Ledyard, CT
Macy Flores, Norwich, CT
Sam Foster, Pawcatuck, CT
Logan Gagne, Groton, CT
Estela Galarza, Groton, CT
Autumn Gardner, East Hampton, CT
Garrett Gasparino, Jewett City, CT
Jessica Gaulin, Uncasville, CT
Valerie Glover, Colchester, CT
Alyssa Gomes-Normil, North Franklin, CT
Kayla Grimshaw, Plainfield, CT
Ethan Hasson, North Franklin, CT
Sean Heald, Pawcatuck, CT
Robert Holland, Preston, CT
Julie Holt, Columbia, CT
Jared Horner, Groton, CT
Aqeeb Hussain, Niantic, CT
Shayne Ignazio, Colchester, CT
Wanaia Jean Francois, Groton, CT
Gere Johnson, New London, CT
Marie Kobar, East Lyme, CT
Anastasia Larionova, Westbrook, CT
Keri-Lin Le, Norwich, CT
Jesse Leckie, Gales Ferry, CT
Renandy Ledoux, New London, CT
Sara Lenney, Mystic, CT
Barry Lin, Uncasville, CT
Benjamin Lisle, New London, CT
Jianyi Liu, Norwich, CT
Jordan Lombardi, Preston, CT
Jared Lovell, Waterford, CT
Bonnie Ludovico, Essex, CT
Brooke Mackin, Jewett City, CT
Sean Massett, Groton, CT
Brianna Matias, Waterford, CT
Franklin May, Jewett City, CT
Dennia Miller, Norwich, CT
Carmen Montoya, Norwich, CT
Ermir Morina, Deep River, CT
Lori Muche, Mystic, CT
Lauren Murphy, Groton, CT
Aviana Nash, Groton, CT
Brandon O’Connor, Putnam, CT
Whitney Orefice, Windham, CT
Jee Eun Park, New London, CT
Lisette Pascual Adames, New London, CT
Diana Pasholli, Waterford, CT
Anima Patel, New York, NY
Jason Pere, Jewett City, CT
Rafael Perez, Waterford, CT
Michael Pettini, Stonington, CT
Sereyvichea Phan, Quaker Hill, CT
Bryauna Phillips, Norwich, CT
Raymond Phonthaphanh, Oakdale, CT
Samuel Pimentel, Salem, CT
Andrew Pires, Columbia, CT
Heather Poole, Oakdale, CT
Nicholas Raill, Colchester, CT
Luke Reynolds, Colchester, CT
MariAnne Rice, Groton, CT
Eunice Rosado, Norwich, CT
Saniya Sabitova, Lebanon, CT
Rut Sanchez, Waterford, CT
Anna Senay, Moosup, CT
Jessica Senphansiry, Waterford, CT
Abigail Simpson, Tolland, CT
Molly Smith, Taftville, CT
Ashley Sparkman, Uncasville, CT
Erin Special, Norwich, CT
Evan Spohn, Quaker Hill, CT
Tanner Spreer, Mystic, CT
Kathleen Stirlen, Colchester, CT
Sara Swift, Colchester, CT
Jennifer Timmons, Colchester, CT
Valerie Torres, New London, CT
Amy Trahan, Norwich, CT
Katarzyna Tylicka, Plantsville, CT
Sabrina Tyree, New London, CT
Toni Underwood-Milan, Ledyard, CT
Sarah Van Valkenburg, Old Lyme, CT
Hannah VanDevander, Pawcatuck, CT
Yamilka Vaquero-Perez, Willimantic, CT
Meiling Wang, Waterford, CT
Rafayel Wassef, New London, CT
Elizabeth Weber, Ledyard, CT
Ara Wilnas, Willimantic, CT
Maureen Zachas, Colchester, CT
Anne Yee Zhang, Uncasville, CT
In The News | TRCC educating future RNs during pandemic
Norwich, CT (The Day, May 28, 2021) —Prior to March 2020 there was already a national nursing shortage, but when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the situation became worse due to retirements and the decision of some nurses to stay home with their families, among various other reasons.
Nurses bravely and stoically administered care and compassion during the pandemic while working tirelessly for those in their care.
And now there is hope for reducing the RN shortage here due to the creative strategies implemented by the nursing faculty at Three Rivers Community College in Norwich. On May 14 at Three Rivers Community College’s 57th Pinning Ceremony (first in-person pinning ceremony since the pandemic began), 33 students graduated at at Dodd Stadium; in total, the program has graduated 81 students since the pandemic began.
Corinne Eichelberg, a former TRCC nursing student and current nurse at Backus Hospital, explains, “TRCC has a very challenging nursing program. When I was enrolled, it involved two full eight-hour class days and two full eight- to 10-hour clinical shifts in a local medical facility each week.”
She continued, “TRCC had a very high rate of success for passing the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) and was known in the region, by word of mouth, to be a very good program.”
In March 2020, when the world experienced quarantine restrictions, so did the nursing students across Connecticut. Three Rivers Community College nursing faculty and students quickly transitioned to remote learning.
Dr. Edith Ouellet, director of nursing and allied health at Three Rivers, states, “The real challenge included clinical education. While the COVID cases were climbing and clinical facilities needed to conserve PPE, restricting nursing students was necessary.”
Nursing faculty at TRCC surveyed and assessed several virtual programs that offered clinical and critical thinking teaching scenarios. The faculty selected the most robust programs, and the TRC Foundation funded the cost to purchase these programs for all students.
Nursing student Kelsey Wilson states, “From Day 1 we were told to be flexible and prepare for the ever-changing circumstances as we navigated pursuing a nursing degree in a pandemic.”
By fall 2020, the TRCC nursing program staff hoped to return to the clinical settings, which includes Hartford HealthCare’s Backus, Windham, and Natchaug hospitals, Yale New Haven’s L+M and Westerly hospitals, Day Kimball Hospital, and other clinical facilities.
With the inclusion of many safety guidelines, screening processes, COVID testing, and an increase in availability of masks and gloves, the TRCC nursing program was invited back to resume clinical education in person.
Classroom learning remained remote while the nursing simulation laboratory was open and available to the nursing faculty and students.
Ouellet states, “We paid close attention to COVID screening, exposures and positive cases, and quarantined as per the CDC guidelines.”
Wilson added, “I think I can speak for my class when I say, we have all learned to be flexible. Adapting and overcoming has been instilled in us.
“I am confident that the trials we have faced amid the pandemic, in both an academic and clinical setting, will allow us to be strong and resilient nurses in the field.”
By October, the COVID case rate began to climb again as did hospitalizations.
“Nursing students were asked to return to simulation and virtual clinical learning,” Ouellet said. “This day-by-day schedule required an incredible amount of flexibility by the student and the faculty. Policies changed and we adapted.”
The spring 2021 semester has offered hope and many opportunities for the TRCC nursing program to participate in in-person clinical education. They have been able to bring students to the clinical setting and also participate in COVID vaccination efforts with the Uncas Health District and Day Kimball Hospital.
Nursing student Brittany Turner remarked, “These last couple semesters have been hectic for me. I lost my father due to COVID-19 one month before beginning the program and this was extremely hard for me. I have a 7-year-old son who I also had to home school while also trying to focus on nursing school so many days were very overwhelming….”
Online learning, she added, had its pros and cons.
“There is nothing like being hands-on and learning the practical way,” she said. “My first semester did not allow for as many in-person clinical days with actual patients, but the school did what they could to accommodate our learning.”
For Cassandra Reyes, a May TRCC nursing graduate who was in her second semester when the pandemic hit, the health crisis was a terrifying experience at first.
“At first, I even questioned if I was brave enough to be the next front-line worker, an ‘essential superhero,’ trying to save lives amid a modern-day plague,” she said. “I thought ‘superheroes are supposed to be fearless,’ and I said to myself ‘I’m so scared, how could I ever do this?’ In spite of the fear, stress, and ‘new normal’, all of us nursing students kept pushing.”
Reyes continued, “I finally realized that true bravery is not being fearless, it is taking action in the face of fear, deciding to overcome never before seen obstacles to be successful nurses.”
May 2021 marks three semesters of teaching nursing students through a global pandemic.
Nursing student Wilson states, “Edith Ouelett and faculty, in collaboration with the college, have gone above and beyond to keep the program running safely and successfully during the pandemic. On behalf of myself and my class, I want to say thank you for making it all possible for us to earn our nursing education.”
— By Aidan Schuler, member of the Times’ Young Journalists Initiative
The original article can be found here: “TRCC educating future RNs during pandemic”
READ MOREIn The News | Students from all walks of life graduate from Three Rivers Community College in virtual ceremony
Norwich, CT (The Day, May 29, 2021) — More than 400 graduates from Three Rivers Community College were celebrated on Saturday in a virtual commencement ceremony.
The prerecorded ceremony combined video montages of students learning, online profiles of graduates, speeches and video footage of in-person events held earlier this month where each graduate — from this year and last year — was able to walk across a stage dressed in their cap and gown.
Although the college gave students the opportunity to walk in a traditional commencement-like ceremony on May 7, the soon-to-be graduates couldn’t bring along their family members or friends because of the COVID-19 pandemic and didn’t receive their diplomas that day. Students were invited to pick up their diplomas this past week in a drive-thru processional.
The roughly 450 students officially graduated on Saturday during the online ceremony where faculty and staff members read every graduate’s name, and families and friends were welcome to log on and watch. Graduates included several high school students who earned their associate degrees while still in high school, a 74-year-old, a single mother, a father-and-son duo and nine valedictorians — the highest number of honorees the school has ever had.
From center left, graduates Alissa Simkowski of Lisbon, Cassandra Reyes of Woodstock and Kaylen Sadler of Norwich, all of the Three Rivers Community College nursing program, pose for a photo with members of nursing faculty after participating in the presentation of their degrees for the taping of the virtual commencement ceremony Friday, May 7, 2021 in Norwich. The commencement ceremony recording was broadcast online May 29 at 2 p.m. Due to COVID-19 the school had video-cast as it did last year, but this year it will show video of graduates getting a scroll representing their diplomas instead of just a photo of each graduate as it did last year. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
Though the ceremony — the 56th annual commencement for Three Rivers — wasn’t what most students likely expected of their college graduation, faculty and staff said they were committed to honoring every student who persevered through the pandemic to earn their degree or certificate.
“Graduates of the Class of 2021, I recognize this is not the graduation you dreamed about with family and friends cheering you on as you walked across the stage,” said Mary Ellen Jukoski, president of Three Rivers Community College, who recognized that many members of the class were first-generation college graduates.
Jukoski said the school was honored to celebrate students who come “from all walks of life, each with your own unique story,” and highlighted the stories of a few students who overcame obstacles to earn their diplomas this month, including a single mother of three who worked full-time while attending school and a student who was pursuing a career in human services after suffering from substance use disorder and being incarcerated.
Jukoski applauded the resilience of every graduate who achieved their academic goals while surviving a global pandemic that drastically changed their learning experience.
“As a class you have shown resilience and strength to complete your courses when the year was disrupted by the pandemic,” she said. “You faced the challenge of remote learning with perseverance and an unwavering resolve so that you could make your graduation today a reality.”
Allen Lyon, vice president of student government, graduated with an associate degree in environmental engineering technology and delivered the student address for the virtual ceremony. He shared the struggles he endured as he and his classmates pivoted to online learning during the pandemic.
“The pandemic has challenged me in ways I could have never imagined, it has challenged all of us,” Lyon said. “I went from seeing my Three Rivers friends and studying with them to being locked in my house and going it alone; I went from seeing my Three Rivers professors face to face to watching them glitch on (video calls).”
Despite its challenges, he said the pandemic forced him to value things he took for granted and give himself more credit for what he was capable of.
“We have our cap and gown and I realize now that if COVID can’t stop us from achieving our goals, nothing can,” the graduate said.
Meghan Lacasse, assistant director of institutional advancement, left, gives Three Rivers Community College graduates instructions before they take their turn to cross the stage during the taping of the virtual commencement ceremony Friday, May 7, 2021, in Norwich. The commencement ceremony recording was broadcast online May 29 at 2 p.m. Due to COVID-19 the school had video-cast as it did last year, but this year it will show video of graduates getting a scroll representing their diplomas instead of just a photo of each graduate as it did last year. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
Three Rivers has students from a wide variety of backgrounds and ages, providing many an education they might not be able to get otherwise.
David Medina, 53, graduated with his general studies associate degree, after getting his construction management certificate from Three Rivers in 2012 and then taking classes on and off and part time. He graduated with his son.
Medina said that growing up in a rough neighborhood in New Jersey, he was told he’d never amount to anything, and he accepted that as a part of life. But he saw joining the U.S. Marine Corps as a way out, and his experience in the Marines from 1986 to 1990 showed him he could go to college.
“That’s why I pushed my kids to go, and that’s why I wanted to finish, to show them you could go and you can go,” he said.
Medina, who has mostly been working in carpentry since, said he went to college in his 20s but didn’t finish, as he needed to put his kids and his job first. Unfortunately, he then lost a lot of credits moving from New Jersey to Connecticut; he now lives in Norwich.
“It’s a long journey,” he said, and he credits his wife with pushing him to finish.
Grace Carlos, 21, said she is grateful she went to Three Rivers because it allowed her to figure out what she wanted to do: She entered as an engineering science major but realized she wasn’t passionate about it, and she was easily able to change her major to liberal arts and sciences.
“I probably would not have been able to do that at a four-year school, because that’s a lot of money to just change your major around,” she said with a laugh. Carlos is sticking around to take four more classes to get a CSCU Pathway degree in political science, meaning she’ll have two associate degrees.
She then wants to transfer to a four-year school to get her bachelor’s degree in political science. She said her interest in political science arose from working in the president’s office at Three Rivers, which involved interacting with elected officials.
The Montville student helped with the campaigns of Democratic state legislature candidates Baird Welch-Collins and Matt Geren last year, organized a gathering in Montville in July to encourage civic engagement among young people, and interned in the office of Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz in the fall.
Nine students were named as valedictorian on Saturday for their exemplary academic performance this year, which included completing all of their program requirements while maintaining a 4.0 GPA: Raleigh N. Aboy, Yamila N. Garcia, Valerie Glover, Anastasia Larionova, Katja A. Sieling, Sarah M. Walsh, Amanda E. Williams, Ara Wilnas and Paul Urbanowicz Jr.
Three Rivers Community College faculty members use noise makers turn Friday, May 7, 2021, while they cheer for the graduates appearing on stage for the presentation of their degrees for the taping of the virtual commencement ceremony in Norwich. The commencement ceremony recording was broadcast online May 29 at 2 p.m. Due to COVID-19 the school had video-cast as it did last year, but this year it will show video of graduates getting a scroll representing their diplomas instead of just a photo of each graduate as it did last year. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
Faculty and staff read the names of every graduate on Saturday, starting with 2020 graduates who weren’t able to walk because of the pandemic.
Jukoski and other members of the staff and faculty, including Kem Barfield, interim dean of academic and student affairs and Diba Khan-Bureau ’96, chair of the faculty senate, congratulated students on their commencement and their new roles as proud alumni of the college.
Jukoski told graduates that their graduation marked a step toward changing the world.
“Your graduation is an invitation to use your education to begin to heal the afflictions of society by applying the best of what you have learned in your head and felt in your heart,” Jukoski said. “As a class you have the power to stand for healthier conditions that will create a healthier society.”
She said she hopes graduates will go on to “create more equity, more justice and more joy in the world.”
— By Erica Moser & Taylor Hartz, Day staff writers
The original article can be found here: “Students from all walks of life graduate from Three Rivers Community College in virtual ceremony”
READ MOREIn The News | Three Rivers Community College Gives Out Diplomas
Cinderella Mosley, 70, of Norwich, celebrates after getting her Three Rivers Community College Associate of Science diploma in a drive-by pick up event in Norwich Wednesday during the 56th annual commencement exercises curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mosley said “My goal is to be a role model for early childhood students.” Approximately 450 students graduated. A pre-recorded video will be online at threerivers.edu this Saturday at 2 p.m. Students can also pick up their diplomas today from 11 am to 5 pm. See more photos at NorwichBulletin.com [John Shishmanian/ NorwichBulletin.com] [JOHN SHISHMANIAN/ NORWICHBULLETIN.COM]
Skylar Petersen, 21, of Griswold shows off her Three Rivers Community College Associate in Arts, Business Studies diploma in a drive-by pick up event in Norwich Wednesday during the 56th annual commencement exercises curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately 450 students graduated. A pre-recorded video will be online at threerivers.edu this Saturday at 2 p.m. Students can also pick up their diplomas today from 11 am to 5 pm. See more photos at NorwichBulletin.com [John Shishmanian/ NorwichBulletin.com] [JOHN SHISHMANIAN/ NORWICHBULLETIN.COM]
Audrey Bartelt, 22, of Bozrah, shows off her Three Rivers Community College Associate in Science, Nursing diploma in a drive-by pick up event in Norwich Wednesday during the 56th annual commencement exercises curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately 450 students graduated. A pre-recorded video will be online at threerivers.edu this Saturday at 2 p.m. Students can also pick up their diplomas today from 11 am to 5 pm. See more photos at NorwichBulletin.com [John Shishmanian/ NorwichBulletin.com] [JOHN SHISHMANIAN/ NORWICHBULLETIN.COM]
Three Rivers Community College gives out diplomas
[JOHN SHISHMANIAN/ NORWICHBULLETIN.COM]
Three Rivers Community College gives out diplomas
[JOHN SHISHMANIAN/ NORWICHBULLETIN.COM]
Three Rivers Community College gives out diplomas
[JOHN SHISHMANIAN/ NORWICHBULLETIN.COM]
Three Rivers Community College gives out diplomas
[JOHN SHISHMANIAN/ NORWICHBULLETIN.COM]
Three Rivers Community College gives out diplomas
[JOHN SHISHMANIAN/ NORWICHBULLETIN.COM]
Three Rivers Community College gives out diplomas
[JOHN SHISHMANIAN/ NORWICHBULLETIN.COM]
Three Rivers Community College gives out diplomas
[JOHN SHISHMANIAN/ NORWICHBULLETIN.COM]
Three Rivers Community College gives out diplomas
[JOHN SHISHMANIAN/ NORWICHBULLETIN.COM]
Three Rivers Community College gives out diplomas
[JOHN SHISHMANIAN/ NORWICHBULLETIN.COM]
Three Rivers Community College gives out diplomas
[JOHN SHISHMANIAN/ NORWICHBULLETIN.COM]
Three Rivers Community College gives out diplomas
[JOHN SHISHMANIAN/ NORWICHBULLETIN.COM]
Three Rivers Community College gives out diplomas
[JOHN SHISHMANIAN/ NORWICHBULLETIN.COM]
Three Rivers Community College gives out diplomas
[JOHN SHISHMANIAN/ NORWICHBULLETIN.COM]
Three Rivers Community College gives out diplomas
[JOHN SHISHMANIAN/ NORWICHBULLETIN.COM]
Three Rivers Community College gives out diplomas
[JOHN SHISHMANIAN/ NORWICHBULLETIN.COM]
Three Rivers Community College gives out diplomas
[JOHN SHISHMANIAN/ NORWICHBULLETIN.COM]
Three Rivers Community College gives out diplomas
[JOHN SHISHMANIAN/ NORWICHBULLETIN.COM]
Three Rivers Community College gives out diplomas
[JOHN SHISHMANIAN/ NORWICHBULLETIN.COM]
Three Rivers Community College gives out diplomas
[JOHN SHISHMANIAN/ NORWICHBULLETIN.COM]
Three Rivers Community College gives out diplomas
[JOHN SHISHMANIAN/ NORWICHBULLETIN.COM]
Three Rivers Community College gives out diplomas
[JOHN SHISHMANIAN/ NORWICHBULLETIN.COM]
Three Rivers Community College gives out diplomas
[JOHN SHISHMANIAN/ NORWICHBULLETIN.COM]
— By John Shishmanian, Norwich Bulletin
The original article can be found here: “Three Rivers Community College Gives Out Diplomas”
READ MORECommencement 2020
[mk_page_section bg_image=”https://threerivers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/header-commencement2020.jpg” bg_position=”center center” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” bg_stretch=”true” full_width=”true” padding_top=”0″ padding_bottom=”0″ sidebar=”sidebar-1″][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1469639571895{padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_empty_space height=”450px”][mk_fancy_title strip_tags=”true” tag_name=”h1″ color=”#ffffff” size=”80″ font_weight=”bold” txt_transform=”uppercase” margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”Oswald” font_type=”google” el_class=”page-title”]COMMENCEMENT 2020
[/mk_fancy_title][vc_empty_space height=”100px” el_class=”page-titlebg” css=”.vc_custom_1469639726224{background-color: rgba(253,181,21,0.8) !important;*background-color: rgb(77,49,142) !important;}”][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][vc_row fullwidth=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1469635777230{padding-left: 20px !important;}”][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”10″][ultimate_spacer height=”20″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row fullwidth=”true”][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1617036710329{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Date and Location
Commencement took place virtually on Saturday June 13, 2020 at 2:00 p.m.
The COVID-19 Pandemic changed how we celebrated our graduates in 2020. We were living through unprecedented times, yet our students’ strength and determination to finish their coursework and graduate was inspiring to us all. Together but separate, we celebrated their accomplishments via a virtual commencement with all the “pomp and circumstance” that they deserved.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1617036811038{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]
Videocast of Commencement 2020
Commencement 2020 Program
You can see the official Commencement 2020 program here (pdf).[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1617036891384{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]
2020 Graduate Profiles
Graduate Profiles pages were launched for the first time in 2020. You can see profiles of our graduates who participated. Visit 2020 Graduate Profiles here.
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Media Coverage
The Bulletin — Three Rivers students had virtual commencement
The Day — Online graduation ceremony celebrates ‘the COVID-19 class’ at Three Rivers
Commencement Speeches
Please visit our Commencement 2020 Speeches page to read the transcripts of the following:
- Mary Ellen Jukoski, Ed.D., President, Three Rivers Community College
- Mark Ojakian, M.A., President, Connecticut State Colleges and Universities
- Michael Carta, M.S., Professor of Chemistry and Chair of the Faculty Senate
- Sebastian C. Bartosiak, Student Government President
Nursing Pinning
With a traditional Nursing Pinning ceremony not possible right now, some of the Nursing faculty divided up the graduating students and went to their homes to deliver their pins in person – following social distancing rules, of course! Learn more about our Pinning ceremony and find links to photos from these individual pinnings on our Nursing Pinning Page.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1617037234690{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]
Message from President Mary Ellen Jukoski (6/11/20)
A message from Mary Ellen Jukoski, President of Three Rivers Community College, for the 2020 graduating class regarding the state of the country, racism, the College’s commitment, and the graduates’ role for the future.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][mk_custom_sidebar sidebar=”sidebar-19″][mk_custom_sidebar el_class=”programpage-sidebar” sidebar=”sidebar-25″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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