NECC graduate Gregory Rosene of Georgetown.

The 27-year-old earned his associate degree in deaf studies: interpreting transfer option. This fall, he will transfer into Framingham State University’s bachelor’s program in deaf studies: sign language interpreter program. The bulk of the classes are held on the NECC campus.

Following his graduation from Georgetown High School in 2005, Rosene elected to delay college and instead work as a carpenter. In 2007, when work became scarce, he explored returning to school. His interest was piqued by the idea of American Sign Language so he enrolled in NECC’s ASL101. He discovered he was ready to transition from creating woodworking to creating language using his hands.

““Within two weeks I knew what I wanted to do with the rest of my life,” Rosene said. “I needed to learn the language. I knew that was the next step and I knew the best way to do that was to get a job where I could use the language every day.”

He was hired as a direct care worker for a group home for developmentally-delayed, deaf, adult men. After receiving a promotion to a management position, he worked closely with the staff interpreter, who encouraged him to pursue interpreting as well.

The high honors student embraced the collegiate life outside the classroom as well. He was the secretary of the Christian Club, vice president of the Haverhill campus Student Senate, and the representative from the ASL Club to the Student Senate.

He received a writing award for a behavioral science research paper.

Rosene was one of 13 Georgetown residents to graduate from Northern Essex in May and one of nearly 1200 overall.

Other Georgetown residents who graduated are:

Andreas L. Giannopoulos Associate in Science Business Management

Taylor M. Giusti Associate in Science Early Childhood Education

Bianca A. Graffam Certificate in Healthcare Technician  with High Honors

Susan J. Lastinger Certificate in Practical Nursing with Honors

Christopher B. L’Italien Associate in Arts Liberal Arts with Honors

Makayla F. Lucey Certificate in Dental Assisting

Sarah E. Neeley Associate in Science Early Childhood Education with High Honors

Cathie M. Southwick Associate in Arts Liberal Arts: Writing Option with High Honors

Rebecca M. Southwick Associate in Arts Liberal Arts: Philosophy Option with High Honors

Cory R. Sullivan Associate in Science Engineering Science Cory R. Sullivan Certificate in Computer Aided-Drafting

Jessica L. Toomey Certificate in Medical Billing with High Honors

Derrick E. Wilcox Associate in Science Business Transfer with High Honors