CLAREMONT — River Valley Community College awarded degrees and certificates earned by 173 graduates at its 51st Commencement Ceremony Friday night at the Claremont Opera House.
Awards announced at the ceremony included President’s Award, Coleen Ross; Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence, Laurie Clute, Physical Therapist Assistant Program; Chancellor’s Award for Service Excellence, Nickole Milo, Academic Advisor; Phi Theta Kappa 2019 Teacher of the Year, Jennifer Saylor, Occupational Therapy Assistant, and Student Government Award for Service, Rianna Vilemaire.
The Processional was led by Bagpiper Mark J. Polifrone playing “Scotland the Brave.” Staff Marshals were Michelle Lockwood and Rianna Villemaire. Student Marshals were Matt Bean ’20, and Allison Breen, ’20. Faculty Marshals were Denise Ruby, 2018 Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence and Shannon Soucy, 2018 Phi Theta Kappa Teacher of the Year.
The National Anthem was sung by Jennifer J. Saylor, Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Director and Professor.
Alfred Williams, President of River Valley Community College presented the President’s Greetings along with recognition of special guests and the formal declaration of commencement.
Speaking on behalf of the Community College System of New Hampshire Board of Trustees was Trustee Allan Damren. Richie Coladarci, Chief Human Resources Officer represented the Community College System of New Hampshire Chancellor’s Office and Diane Cammarata, Class of 2019, Biological Science and Liberal Arts extended greetings from the Class of 2019.
Jennifer Cournoyer, Interim Associate Vice President of Student Affairs presented the candidates for certificates and degrees. Presentation of certificates and degrees were made by Williams, Coladarci and Damren.
Charlotte Carmody, Associates of Science in Accounting, welcomed the graduates as Alumni.
The Commencement speaker was Catherine Bardier, Director of Wellness and Population Health at New London Hospital, a critical access hospital serving 15 communities in the Kearsarge/Lake Sunapee Region.
She has more than 25 years of experience in Human Resources Administration and Population Health in New Hampshire. She is a graduate of Rivier College in Nashua and resides in Newbury with her husband and their four children.
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