Congratulations Graduates!
Northern Essex Community College will hold its 46th Commencement Exercises on Saturday, May 17, beginning at 11 a.m. Close to 1000 graduates will receive certificates or associate degrees under a white tent erected on the quadrangle on the Haverhill campus.
Meredith Hall, New York Times best selling author of “Without a Map”, will be the featured speaker. The book, which was released in paperback in April, is a riveting memoir detailing her life after she learned she was pregnant in 1965 at the age of 16.
April Amirault-Doherty of Merrimac, who is graduating with associate degrees in paralegal studies and general studies, has been selected to represent the class of 2008 as student speaker. A single mother of triplet girls as well as a teenage daughter, Amirault-Doherty, has overcome a number of personal obstacles to earn her degrees. This first-generation college graduate owns her own interior and exterior paint company. She took advantage of the college’s day, evening, and online courses to complete her degrees.
A highlight of the commencement ceremony will be the awarding of emeritus status to seven retired NECC professors and staff members. At Northern Essex, the rank of emeritus is an honor that recognizes sustained excellence in performance, character, and meritorious service to the college. Emeriti recipients include Carol Barron, professor emerita of English; Paul Bevilacqua, vice president and dean emeritus of academic affairs; James Brown, professor emeritus of mathematics; Sandra DeVellis, professor emerita of behavioral science; Mary Jane Pernaa, coordinator emerita of career planning & placement; John Peroni, dean emeritus of continuing education; and Catherine Sanderson, professor emerita of English.
NECC alumnus Jonathan Bennett of Methuen, who graduated last May, will sing the national anthem as the opening of the commencement exercises.
Also performing will be the Stuart Highland Pipe Band. NECC president David F. Hartleb will preside over the ceremony.
