Naugatuck Valley Community College (NVCC) celebrated a year of student success as well as many accolades the College has received over the last year at its commencement which took place at Waterbury’s Palace Theatre on May 24.

NVCC was proud to confer more than one thousand degrees or certificates for the seventh consecutive year.  The program included a welcome and opening address by Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D., President; remarks by the Honorable Neil M. O’Leary, Mayor City of Waterbury; and greetings by Yvette Meléndez, Board Member of the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education.

“Naugatuck Valley Community College is living its mission,” said NVCC President Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D. “Don’t just take my word for this. Experts have told us so,” she said as she shared the good news of the many achievements, academic program accreditations, grants, and praise the college has received in the last year.

Presidential Medals of Honor were awarded to members of the community, faculty, and students who distinguished themselves with significant contributions to furthering the mission of the College.  Awards were presented to: Marianela Medrano, Ph.D., a writer, educator and psychotherapist; Wilfredo Nieves, Ed.D., President of Capital Community College; Donna DeLieto Marotti, NVCC Professor of Finance; Michael Labet, NVCC Professor of Accounting; Angelica Idrovo, NVCC, class of 2017; Chelsea Clow, NVCC Class of 2018; Christopher Gordon, NVCC Class of 2018; Natallia Hryn, NVCC Class of 2018; and Shayne Douglas Pratte, NVCC Class of 2018.

The Commencement address was delivered by Kathy K. Taylor, Esq., NVCC Professor of Legal Studies, encouraging students to, “be humble, be connected, and be of use.”

This year also marked a significant milestone for the college. NVCC granted its 10,000^th conferral yesterday within the last ten years. The graduate, Shannon MacFadden, who graduated with honors and received an Associate of Arts, was acknowledged during yesterday’s ceremony as being the 10,000^th conferral, but was unable to receive the recognition in person because she had already moved away to begin a job. Graduates at this year’s commencement hailed from 85 cities and towns across the state and nine states in total. Their ages also demonstrated quite a range, with the youngest at 17, who received a certificate in Computer Numerical Control yesterday and three students who were each 65. “We believe in our students and their future,” said President De Filippis to the graduating class of 2018. “We believe in you, our graduates, and in your ability to make the future brighter for yourselves and for all of us as you follow your dreams.”