RARITAN VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE COMMENCEMENT SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021 RARITAN VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE Commencement Saturday, May 15, 2021 NATIONAL ANTHEM Raritan Valley Community College Chorale WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION OF COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER Dr. Michael J. McDonough, President COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER Kevin Spencer PRESENTATION OF HONORARY DEGREE Dr. Michael J. McDonough “RARITAN VALLEY FANFARE” BY JAMIE MALLINSON Jamie Mallinson, Trumpet, Class of 2021 Dr. Anna Keiserman, Piano, Assistant Professor of Music STUDENT SPEAKER Catherine Linet Namuli, Class of 2021 PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES Dr. Deborah E. Preston, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs AWARDING OF DEGREES Dr. Michael J. McDonough SWITCHING OF TASSELS Dr. Deborah E. Preston COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER Kevin Spencer Kevin Spencer is an award-winning performing artist who, for more than 25 years, toured the world with one of the largest and most successful theatrical illusion productions in the U.S. He left behind a trail of accolades in his wake, including 2009 “International Illusionist of the Year,” 2015 “International Magician of the Year,” and “Performing Arts Entertainer of the Year,” an honor he received six times. At the pinnacle of his career, Spencer stepped away from the stage and into classrooms and hospitals. As an educator, artist, consultant, and researcher, he works to create inclusive communities where everyone experiences an authentic sense of belonging and no one – for any reason – is relegated to the margins. His work focuses on using the art of magic to impact change in the lives of children with autism, developmental disabilities, intellectual challenges, emotional disturbance, and those who have experienced trauma. His program, Hocus Focus™, was a 2020 nominee for the “Zero Project Award,” which recognizes innovative practices and models that improve the daily lives of people with disabilities. Spencer is a leading voice in the performing arts industry (recipient of the North American Performing Arts Managers and Agents – NAPAMA – Artist/Agent of the Year in 2020); a Fulbright Specialist on arts integration for special populations for the U.S. Department of State; a faculty member in the department of education at Carlow University in Pittsburgh; a research consultant for the Occupational Therapy department and the Institute for Arts in Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham; and an Approved Provider of Continuing Education for the American Occupational Therapy Association. He is considered the leading international authority on the therapeutic benefits of magic tricks in physical and psychosocial rehabilitation. He received a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies from Liberty University, VA, and an M.Ed. in Arts Integration from Southeastern University, FL. He is a PhD Candidate in Special Education at Liberty University. Spencer also received a Certification in Autism Studies from the College of Applied Human Services, CA. In 2016 he produced a short documentary, Powerful Medicine: Simply Magic, that showcases individuals of varying abilities who, through the art of magic, have overcome physical, developmental, and intellectual challenges. The documentary has earned 18 international film festival awards and continues to inspire audiences around the world. Kevin Spencer has dedicated his life to making a difference in communities around the world – both on and off the stage. He is a pioneer who addresses the inequality of individuals with disabilities with creativity, confidence, and courage. SPEAKERS Catherine Linet Namuli, Student Speaker A native of Uganda, Catherine Linet Namuli is a member of RVCC’s Honor’s College and serves as a Mentor in its Mentorship Program. The Liberal Arts major is graduating from RVCC Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 Grade Point Average. Active in College life, Namuli serves as Vice President of the Rotaract Club, a Student Ambassador for the Women’s Center, and is part of the Changebuilder Program. She is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and the National Society of Leadership and Success. She plans to study International Relations at a four-year school and already has been accepted at several universities. Her future goals include working as a Political Affairs Officer for the United Nations and/or working with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to address and tackle human rights issues, especially in third-world countries, focusing on global health, gender equality, and international security. Alexa Offenhauer, Faculty Speaker Alexa Offenhauer of Clinton, RVCC Assistant Professor of English, received a Bachelor’s Degree from Rutgers University and a Master’s Degree from Western Carolina University. She is currently a doctoral candidate at Teachers College, Columbia University, and is writing her dissertation on reading theory and its place in the composition classroom. GREETINGS Robert P. Wise, Board of Trustees Speaker Robert P. Wise has served as Chair of RVCC’s Board of Trustees since 2015 and has been a member of the Board since 2004. A resident of Clinton Township, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Hunterdon Medical Center before his retirement in 2018. Wise received his undergraduate degree from Boston College and his Masters in Public Health from the University of Pittsburgh. GREETINGS Shanel Y. Robinson, Director, Somerset County Board of County Commissioners Commissioner Director Shanel Y. Robinson was elected to the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners in 2019. Prior to joining the Board, she served as a member of the Franklin Township Council from 2015 to 2018, and as deputy mayor in 2018. Director Robinson is a proud graduate of Rutgers University where she majored in Labor Studies and Employee Relations. She is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force Reserves and is employed as an information technologies manager at Saint Peter’s Healthcare System. Susan J. Soloway, Director, Hunterdon County Board of County Commissioners Hunterdon County Board of Commissioners Director Susan J. Soloway, an entrepreneur who has successfully operated a retail and wholesale store specializing in children’s clothing, and has over twenty years experience in the corporate sector, believes her business skills have helped her make government effective for the public during her service at the local level and on the County Board over the past decade. Director Soloway served as Mayor of Franklin Township twice during a six year term on the Franklin Township Committee and was overwhelmingly elected to the County Board by Hunterdon County’s voters in 2018. As an active member of the community, Director Soloway has been a member of a Domestic Violence Response Team for over 20 years and served on the Boards of Franklin Theatre Works and PAPA (Phillipsburg Area Performing Arts). The Director also serves as a leader and mentor in the Tri Women Organization and as a Girl Scout Leader. Susan is a parishioner at Immaculate Conception Church where she has taught 3rd grade religious education. Director Soloway has served as liaison to many crucial departments in the County, including Economic Development, Veterans Affairs, Hunterdon County Vocational School and to Raritan Valley Community College. Director Soloway and her husband Rob reside in Franklin Township and she is a proud mother and recently became a grandmother. STUDENT MUSICAL INTERLUDE Jamie Mallinson Performed original composition Raritan Valley Fanfare. Jamie Mallinson is a music major and recipient of the RVCC Academic Award for Excellence in Music. She graduated Magna Cum Laude and plans to continue her studies at Rowan University Honors College. STUDENT GREETINGS: Aviel Andes, Raven Ferguson, Brianna Frazer, Alyssa Freda, Gabriela Miller CAP DECORATING WINNERS: Kirsten Glennon (Grand Prize), Louisa Correa, Jennifer Duffy, Jill Ferrante, Caitlyn Mazewski, Kayla Reinhart, Giselle Rubina 2020-2021 GRADUATES AND CANDIDATES FOR GRADUATION Zehra Abbas ** Michael Almeida John Chambers Ayres V Sophia Bech-Hansen Maryem H. Abdelgelil Kevin Alvarenga * Gregory D. Babbert Sarah M. Beebe *** Fayrooz Yasser Abdelkader *** Sergio Alejandro Amador Bermudez Tyler J. Baggitt *** Haley Katherine Behm * Mia Abdelmegid Alex Xavier Amaya Corey Longbridge Baker Kaitlyn Behr Mariah Kennedy Abram Nathan Ambrogio Kyle Balao Shaana Bello Alexander Acevedo Shree Amin ** Cris Paulo Rodama Magdamit Balboa** Dana P. Belo Eric Achenbach * Mekdes Amine Brady Patrick Balunis Tracy Ann Bench Meghana Achyutananda Kieran James Amore RV Renz Amiel Dela Fuente Baluyot Patricia B. Benedicto Pragnya Sai Adapa *** Jacquelyne Michelle Amorose *** Taimur Bandukda Kasandra Maria Benitez * James Adekplovi ** Aviel Adrian Andes Todd P. Banks Jr. Paola Gissell Benitez Marquez ** Thomas Ryan Adelman *** Derek Andrade Zainab Y. Bannout Rhiana Caitlyn Bergeman Benjamin Joseph Adelson * Michael Andrade Daniel Banz Amelia H. Berisha Justin T. Agins Maria J. Angulo Mora ** Iryna Baran * Noah Bernstein *** Zakiya T. Agosto * Eleanor Anim-Wiafe Jenna Victoria Baranek * Brianna Berrocal Theresa Karing Agustin Emily Rebecca Anthony * Mayan Barkel Gabriel Berrocal Mariam Ahmed *** Kaitlyn Amanda Anthony Daniella Barnaby Nicole Bessasparis * Rayhanah Ahmed ** David Antonio-Bravo Joshua I. Barnwell Melanie Rose Bet * Heera Akhtar Caitlyn Apgar Francis V. Barrantes Ryan Betz Perla Alay Kriselle Anne Aquino Kalin Eileen Barrett Ronald Victor Biegel *** Erik Thomas Albrecht *** Gianluca Williams Arbo * Monavi Barthakur * Percy Edward Bigelow III Jonathan D. Alers Aleanah Marie M. Arceno