Commencement | Capital Community College

Welcome,

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Nelson Mandela Capital Community College Class of 2020, This is one of my favorite quotes and is fitting as you complete your degree at CCC and start a new life chapter with degree in hand. You are receiving your degree at a moment in history we will all remember. That makes it even more significant. In the midst of this most trying time in our country’s history, we pause to celebrate this major accomplishment. I hope that the achievement of this major milestone brings you, and those that supported you along the way, great joy. On behalf of the faculty and staff of Capital Community College Class of 2020, we salute you!

Congratulations,

Dr. G. Duncan Harris, C.E.O. Capital Community College

Welcome Remarks from CEO Dr. G. Duncan Harris (1:50)
Commencement Address from Governor Ned Lamont (1:01)
Commencement Address from CSCU President Mark Ojakian (2:37)
Commencement Address from Chairman Matt Fleury (2:20)
CEO Dr. G. Duncan Harris Introduces Professor Seth Freeman (0:24)
Greetings from Faculty from Professor Seth Freeman (8:54)
CEO Dr. G. Duncan Harris Presents Posthumous Honorary Degree to Tanya Cleveland-Wiggins (0:44)
Tanya Cleveland-Wiggin’s Daughters Accept Their Mother’s Honorary Degree (2:37)
CEO Dr. G. Duncan Harris Introduces Commencement Speaker, Marva Patterson (0:52)
Commencement Speech, Marva Patterson (7:01)
CEO Dr. G. Duncan Harris Introduces the Professors Who Will Read the Names of the 2020 Graduates (0:27)
Dean Miah LaPierre-Dreger Reads the Names of the General Studies Degree Candidates (4:14)
Professor Seth Freeman Reads the Names of the Business and Technology Degree Candidates (7:40)
Professor Daniel Tauber Reads the Names of the Healthcare Degree Candidates (1:57)
Professor Daniel Tauber Reads the Names of the Healthcare Certificates Candidates (1:47)
Professor Jeffrey Partridge Reads the Names of the Humanities Degree Candidates (2:17)
Professor Dawn Bunting Reads the Names of the Nursing Degree Candidates (5:14)
Dean Miah LaPierre-Dreger Reads the Names of the Science and Math Degree Candidates (0:50)
Professor Lilliam Martinez Reads the Names of the Social and Behavioral Science Degree Candidates (3:16)
Professor Lilliam Martinez Reads the Names of the Certificate Candidates (2:52)
Special Message from CEO Dr. G. Duncan Harris (3:40)
Conferring of Degrees and Close of Program (1:05)
Total time: 66 minutes

Dr. G. Duncan Harris serves as the chief executive officer of Capital Community College in Hartford, CT responsible for strategic direction and daily operations of the college. Previously, he served as the dean of student affairs at Manchester Community College. While at the MCC, he also served as acting dean of academic affairs, associate dean of academic affairs, counselor/coordinator of academic advising, and interim Director of the Center for Student Development. He is recognized as an expert in student affairs, has served as a NECHE evaluator, is invited to lecture on the field to graduate students, and serves as coach to many student affairs professionals. In 2014, he launched the CSCU Student Success Center as the founding executive director.

He is affiliated with several state and national organizations and serves on the board of the National Council on Black American Affairs (NCBAA), FoodShare, Windsor Federal Savings Bank, Community Health Resources, and the BSL Education Foundation.

Dr. Harris has received a number of awards for his leadership and contributions to the community including the CCSU Distinguished Alumni Counseling Professional Award, NASPA Region I Community College Professional Award, and the CT African American Affairs Man of the Year Award. Dr. Harris holds a doctorate of education from Nova Southeastern University, a master of science degree in counseling from CCSU, a bachelor of science degree in economics from UConn, and certificate in Management and Leadership from Harvard University.

Seth Freeman is Chair of the Business and Technology Department, Professor of Computer Information Systems and Director of Capital’s Summer Computer Science Program for middle-school students. Professor Freeman is an avid advocate of broadening participation in computing and STEM fields to female and under-represented minority students. Prof. Freeman promotes and supports computer science education across all educational levels and engages with numerous community organizations to promote STEM, raise community awareness and effect positive community change. Prof. Freeman received his M.S. in Computer Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY, and his B.A. in Computer Science from Clark University in Worcester, MA.

Tanya Nadine Cleveland-Wiggins was born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut. Spending most of her residency in Hartford’s North End. She was a graduate of Thomas Snell Weaver High School (c/o 1976). She was a friendly and familiar face to many, a fixture of sorts, in the city of Hartford.

First and foremost, Tanya was a devout Christian and believer in God. She was a long-time member of Mt. Olive Church Ministries in Hartford. Calvary Baptist Church in Willimantic also held a special place in her heart as this is where she rededicated herself to Christ.

She loved the community of Hartford, the youth in particular. Nearly everything she did, paid work or volunteer work, was in service to others. This included, but was not limited to her role as a Program Aide at the University of Connecticut; Residential Aide and Residential Manager for shelters operated by the Community Renewal Team and Inter-community; an active and longstanding member of the Mt. Olive Missionaries; and up until the time of her passing, Food Pantry Coordinator at Capital Community College.

Tanya was a nurturer by nature and a “mom” to many. She was known for her big heart – often putting together care packages for college-bound students, giving to those in need, and frequently checking in on members of her community; her welcoming spirit and ability to bring people together – she planned “porch parties”, Mother’s Day tea, and Christmas Eve dinners to unite loved ones in fellowship; her faith and courage in times of adversity – she was a two-time breast cancer survivor and celebrated over 23 years of recovery through a spiritual journey and the 12-step program; and her persistence and perseverance– she was only several courses shy of completing her associates degree at Capital Community College, a degree she started over 40 years ago in West Virginia.

She had an immense appreciation for education – pushing herself, her children, and others to pursue and complete their personal and professional goals. She went above and beyond to encourage and cheer for individuals that she encountered; and was just as persistent and committed to her own academic journey, as evidenced by her re-enrollment in school. During her time at Capital Community College, her support for students often transcended the scope of her official job title. For example, she helped students prepare for job interviews and provided pep talks to help lift their spirits. In a message to her family shortly after her passing, a student wrote, “…she impacted my life a lot. She motivated me and worked so hard. I’m really going to miss her. I haven’t been back to school yet, but I will push. She was always for school”.

Tanya was a strong and resilient woman who made no room for complaining. She was a “hero” in the eyes of her family, a pillar in her community, and an inspiration to many. Above all, her love for her children and grandchildren was beyond measure. Her life’s motto was, “let the work I’ve done speak for me”. The life she led left a legacy and being awarded this honorary degree is an example of her work “speaking” for her, even after her passing.

Marva Patterson grew up in Chester, Pennsylvania, the youngest of seven children. She attended and graduated from Philadelphia Training Center in 1978 as Class President and Valedictorian. Marva is in the Advance Standing Master of Social Work program at University of Saint Joseph, West Hartford, Connecticut. She graduated from University of Saint Joseph (USJ) on May 12, 2018 with her Bachelor of Social Work. She is also a 2016 alumna of Capital Community College with an Associate degree in Social Services.

Marva is intelligent, passionate, and is relentlessly in the pursuit of social justice. She has exhibited strong analyses in class, is a wonderful community-builder and is captivating as a public speaker. As a graduate of the MSW program, she has developed a new set of practice and theoretical tools to serve as a support to her clients and examine her own experiences. She has made meaningful contributions to the BSW and MSW student life in the Program for Adult Learners.

Marva is an active member of the Diversity Committee, a facilitator of Strong Sisters United, and has partnered with Campus Ministry. In the several years that she has been at USJ, she has organized about a dozen clothing and other materials drive for families in need. In every event that Marva organizes, her priority is serving those in need with dignity and respect.

She has a way of linking her community service work to her other identities as an Elder-Elect at her local church, Ebenezer Holy Temple, and as a USJ student. Not only does her community organizing impact student life in the Program for Adult Learners, but her reach extends campus-wide and across all programs.

She is a student leader in the Social Work Student Alliance and has spearheaded several initiatives at her field placement: Salvation Army Marshall House; United Labor Agency and Latin Enrichment Organization for child psychiatry; resulting in collecting much-needed goods and services for homeless and abused clients. Marva also engages in appropriate use of self, as she openly identifies with social injustices in an attempt to give context to her point of view and educate others. On a separate but related front, Marva is an incredibly resilient individual and an inspiration for all students who are pursuing a degree and have their sights set on a life changing goal.

Marva is serving as a volunteer for The Strategic Plan 2020 Oversight Committee. She also serves on the Dr. Martin Luther King committee and Black History Committee searching for speakers and organizing community forums. Marva Community Housing Advocates, Hartford, CT, 2019 Co-Chair development committee actively participates in a collaborative process for addressing issues of housing quality, foreclosure and public safety in Hartford neighborhoods.

Marva established and founded Women with a Vision Ministries, Hartford, CT 2012 which, builds a group of people or institutions to address the social and political problems they experience directly and have in common.

Marva who went from drug user, prisoner number 6200 at Muncy, Prison to student identification numbers 00936301 at Capital Community College and 477256. It has been quite transformation for the 59 year old woman. From being molested and a rape victim, cancer survivor and homelessness to earning her Master’s. Marva hosts “keep our neighbors warm” Capital Community College each winter for the past 5 years. This social service event provides coats, clothing, footwear, hygiene products and nonperishable foods for those that are in need.

Marva greatest accomplishments is being a preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and living the life that satisfies and pleases God.

Highest GPA

Ana Perez-Rios (Valedictorian) – Social Service – 4.0 GPA
Jennifer Medina – Liberal Arts – 4.0 GPA
Heather Ragusa-Doukas – Radiology – 4.0 GPA

Ana Perez-Rios Valedictorian Speech

Hello, everyone. For those who don’t know me, my name is Ana and I’m the Class of 2020’s valedictorian. I want to congratulate everyone today because despite a pandemic and before that, the packed elevators at Capital, or as I call them my personal nightmare, we are here. We made it! Sadly, we can’t walk the stage and celebrate along our classmates and family. This might not be the graduation we had imagined but this doesn’t diminish our big accomplishment. We are in this together! It’s okay to be upset and feel disappointed. It’s okay to complain and cry and trust me I can cry or you can ask my husband. But we must not forget that there’s so much to be grateful about. Just because things didn’t turned the way we wanted it this must not stop us from celebrating. I believe this pandemic has made us realize that the most important thing in our lives is our family. So, please never take them for granted. I understand how everyone feels today, but we must move forward and keep going. We got this! I want to give a special shout out to all the healthcare workers who are caring for the most vulnerable at this time. You guys are true heroes! Thank you for your dedication, commitment and courage. I also want to thank Capital and all the staff for supporting us during our journey.
I also want to thank my husband and grandparents for believing in me and supporting me through my journey. And to all my fellow classmates don’t let anything stop you, its ok to be scared, but don’t let this stop you from chasing your dreams and pursue your passions. So, from the bottom of my heart I wish every single one of you the best in whatever your next goal is. We are currently living in not ordinary times so everything is possible. This is going to be a hell of a story to tell to your children and grandchildren, we’ve made history! Not everyone can say this and once again congratulations class of 2020!