By KATHY CHANG
Staff Writer
EDISON — Some 1,558 students flipped their tassels to the left last week, symbolizing their graduation from Middlesex County College (MCC).
The 49th annual MCC commencement was held at the Expo Center in Raritan Center on May 17 in front of some 3,500 family and friends.
A total of 1,596 degrees and certificates were awarded to the graduates.
Valedictorian Sridivya Raghavan, of Edison, a liberal arts and business major, came to the United States from India when she was 11 years old. She said she considered MCC her “Hogwarts,” in “Harry Potter” lingo.
“I did my early schooling in India and moved to the United States when my dad’s job brought him here,” she said. “I became a bookworm, thanks to J.K. Rowling [author of the ‘Harry Potter’ series]. ‘Harry Potter’ taught me the joy of reading and believing in magic. Middlesex County College became my Hogwarts. The professors here played a huge role in mentoring me, much like Harry Potter’s.”
Raghavan, who plans to continue her college education at Rutgers Newark, told her peers that failure is unfortunately inevitable.
“What is more important is learning from failure and getting back up on your feet again,” she said. “The fact that we are here today means that we are successful.”
Approximately 675 members of the Class of 2016 participated in the exercises, representing the graduates from August 2015, January 2016 and May 2016. Participants included several students who fulfilled the requirements for more than one degree or certificate during this academic year.
Dr. Mark McCormick, vice president for academic and student affairs, presided over the ceremony. Greetings were delivered by MCC President Joann La Perla-Morales, Dorothy K. Power, chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Middlesex County Freeholder Director Ronald G. Rios.
Professor Saul Kelton, of the History and Social Sciences Department, led the academic processional as grand marshal.
Jane Hernandez, of Manalapan, who received her associate’s degree in criminal justice from MCC in 2011, came back to the college to major in addiction studies.
“My experience at MCC was great,” she said. “I would say the professors there are what really make a difference. They made class interesting, and I learned a lot from them.”
Hernandez performed a lot of volunteer work as a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society both years while at MCC.
“My plans as of now are I am currently doing an internship at New Hope Foundation,” she said. “In the fall I plan on working towards another certification and then in the spring go back to school and work towards finishing my bachelor’s degree.”
Komal Naqvi, of South Amboy, who served as president of Phi Theta Kappa, said MCC has been an invaluable experience and has helped her achieve an understanding of her own leadership capabilities while also giving her the opportunity to empower and challenge the MCC community.
“As president of Phi Theta Kappa, I participated in community programs, charity drives for nonprofit organizations and student-involvement events,” she said.
During Student Lobby Day, she said she acted as a student lobbyist, representing the college to raise awareness for issues that affect community colleges.
Within the coming months, Naqvi will participate in the Rutgers Women’s Leadership summer program, and in the fall she plans on transferring to Rutgers University where she will double major in political science and women and gender studies.
“I am looking forward to being involved in community, activist organizations and interacting with the student body,” she said. “I know that MCC has equipped me with the confidence, ambition and practical experience that I need to have a fulfilling, professional and academic career.”
Faisal Usman, of North Brunswick, said his MCC experience was an exceptional one.
“In the two years that I’ve been there, I learned a lot and made some lifelong friends,” he said. “The professors and faculty are always ready and willing to help and support. The class size makes the whole learning experience very interactive and exciting.”
In his case as an engineering science major, Usman said he had the opportunities to get involved in some exciting programs.
“The faculty helped me secure a summer fellowship in geochemistry and geophysics research at Rutgers University,” he said.
Usman was part of the college’s Bridges to Baccalaureate (NNJ-B2B) grant program from the National Science Foundation, which partners with NNJ-B2B. He was awarded the MCC Alumni Association scholarship.
Usman said he got accepted to Columbia University, George Washington University, Northeastern University, New Jersey Institute of Technology and Rutgers University. He ultimately decided to go to Columbia.
Hector Martinez, of New Brunswick, said his college experience was exceptional. He is the first member of his family to go to college and is a U.S. National Guard veteran.
“I enjoyed the coursework, the professors and the students involved in my everyday life,” he said. “I recommend MCC to any person out there motivated to achieve success.”
Martinez is majoring in criminal justice and is attending the Homeland Security program at New Jersey City University, which will be held at MCC this fall, to garner a bachelor’s degree.
“I have an internship with [the New Jersey] Transit Police Department, and I am motivated to be successful in their department,” he said. “I appreciate all the courses MCC has provided, for it has made me a better human.”
Martinez said in the next 10 years, he sees himself in a high-ranking position in a police department, making a difference and helping change the world.
