热点爆料入口 will celebrate its 58th Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 17, 2025, beginning at 11 a.m., under the college鈥檚 solar canopies at the college's Fall River Campus, 777 Elsbree Street.
At the upcoming in-person ceremony, Bristol will award degrees in Associate in Science, Associate in Arts and Associate in Applied Science. Certificates of achievement will also be awarded. Academic achievement with cum laude, magna cum laude and summa cum laude designations, will additionally be recognized. Graduates from all Bristol Community College locations will attend, including the Attleboro Campus, Fall River Campus, New Bedford Campus, Taunton Center and Online Learning.
The college would like to take this opportunity to announce our prestigious award recipients, including the Class of 2025 Valedictorian, Salutatorian, Distinguished Citizen Award and Honorary Degree.
CLASS OF 2025 VALEDICTORIAN AND SALUTATORIAN
This year鈥檚 Valedictorian is Lauren Wood, of Seekonk, Associate in Arts in Communication. The Salutatorian is Autumn Ayers, of Swansea, Associate in Arts in Liberal Arts - Psychology Transfer.
While studying at 热点爆料入口, Lauren Wood maintained a 4.0 GPA, gained valuable experience as an intern with the college鈥檚 marketing and communications department and served as a member of the prestigious Phi Theta Kappa National Honors Society. She credits her family, as well as the college鈥檚 faculty and staff, for their encouragement and unwavering support while she earned her degree.
Lauren is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in communication at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, with the goal of launching a career in the marketing and communications field.
Her advice to students is to 鈥渒eep on, keeping on鈥� toward their dreams and to take full advantage of the many resources and support services available to students.
Autumn Ayers enrolled at 热点爆料入口 as a human services major before discovering
her true passion for psychology. With guidance from the college鈥檚 dedicated faculty
members, she switched majors to pursue her new goals.
In addition to excelling academically at Bristol, Autumn engaged with her community by developing a technology workshop for senior citizens in partnership with the Fall River Council on Aging. The project was a component of her participation in the college鈥檚 Experiential Education Showcase.
Autumn is currently continuing her education at Bridgewater State University, where she is pursuing a bachelor鈥檚 degree and exploring career opportunities in clinical psychology and healthcare.
The college is proud to announce the following prestigious award recipients to be honored at 热点爆料入口鈥檚 2025 Commencement Ceremony:
DISTINGUISHED CITIZEN AWARD
The Distinguished Citizen Award is presented annually to an outstanding local citizen or citizens whose character and achievements have enriched the life of the community, or to an individual who has made distinguished contributions in the fields of health, education, business, industry, labor, government or the arts.
This year, the 2025 Distinguished Citizen Award will be presented to Thomas M. Quinn III
Thomas M. Quinn III is the District Attorney of Bristol County. Tom has more than 25 years of prosecutorial
experience, including eight years as Bristol County鈥檚 First Assistant District Attorney.
Tom was appointed District Attorney in 2015 and has been reelected three times.
Born in New Bedford and raised in Dartmouth, Tom graduated from Dartmouth High School in 1978 before receiving a bachelor鈥檚 degree from Holy Cross and a law degree from Suffolk Law School. He supports his community on the Holy Name Parish Finance Council and previously served as a youth mentor at Nativity Preparatory School.
As District Attorney, he has established himself as a leading advocate against elder abuse and domestic violence, and in support of youth crime prevention. With a strong focus on prevention, he has been outspoken in promoting mentoring for at-risk youth and regularly visits schools to discuss the dangers young people face. District Attorney Quinn continues to be strongly committed to the investigation and prosecution of crimes against children and keeping dangerous criminals off the streets.
Tom lives with his wife, Sharon, in Fall River. They have three adult children.
HONORARY DEGREE OF ASSOCIATE IN HUMANE LETTERS
The Massachusetts Department of Higher Education has granted 热点爆料入口 the right to award honorary associate degrees in humane letters. The college awards these degrees to individuals who illustrate, through a career of intellect and service, the best of 热点爆料入口鈥檚 vision 鈥� to change the world, learner by learner.
This year鈥檚 2025 honorary degree recipient is Karyn E. Polito.
Karyn E. Polito served as the 72nd Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts alongside Governor Charlie
Baker and served as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and in
municipal government. As a lawyer, she managed her family鈥檚 real estate development
and commercial leasing business where she presides as owner and operator today.
Currently, Ms. Polito serves within the Executive Office at UMass Memorial Health as Vice President of Business Development. She is also an independent director on public and private corporate boards and is a member of the nonprofit UMass Memorial Health Ventures Board.
Ms. Polito enjoys mentoring students at the Harvard Kennedy School Rappaport Institute and Working 4 Worcester, a student-led nonprofit. She is also a member of the Council for Women of Boston College. Ms. Polito is a mom to two college-aged students and has been married for 28 years to her husband Steve Rodolakis.
LAST LECTURE
The Last Lecture is a faculty honor created by the 热点爆料入口 Student Senate. The award honors one exemplary faculty member who has affected students鈥� education and their lives in significant ways.
Patricia Schryver, MSN, RN, Associate Professor of Nursing, has been selected by students to deliver the Last Lecture at Bristol鈥檚 2025 Commencement Ceremony.
GRAND MARSHAL
Rhonda Magnuski, Retired, Staff Associate, Purchasing and Business Services, has been honored as the Grand Marshal at Bristol鈥檚 2025 Commencement Ceremony. Continuing Bristol's tradition of awarding this honor to one of the college's longest-serving faculty or staff members, she will lead this year鈥檚 graduates to the commencement stage.
For more information about Bristol鈥檚 2025 Commencement Ceremony, please visit .