More than 2,100 students will graduate from Brookdale Community College during the college’s 47th annual commencement ceremony on May 12 on the Lincroft campus.
According to a press release, 2,141 students are expected to graduate, with diplomas to be handed out during a 10 a.m. ceremony and a 3 p.m. ceremony at the Robert J. Collins Arena.
“While it is not our largest ever, the graduating class of 2017 is the largest we have seen in a number of years. This year we have 2,141 graduates who are earning a total of 2,159 degrees. We had 2,041 graduates in 2016 and 2,069 graduates in 2015,” college relations coordinator Keith Heumiller said.
“We are very proud to see so many local students succeed in their goals and move on to the next step in their educational and professional journeys,” Heumiller said.
Honorary degrees will be presented to Carlos Rodriguez, the executive director of the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, and to Carol Stillwell, the president and CEO of Stillwell Hansen Inc.
Distinguished alumni awards will be presented to Deborah Josko, the director of the Medical Laboratory Science Program at the Rutgers University School of Health Professions, and to nationally acclaimed sculptor Brian Hanlon of Toms River.
Select graduates will be presented with the college’s 2016-17 Outstanding Student Award.
As the executive director of the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties since 2012, Rodriguez has led efforts that collect and distribute more than 10 million meals each year through a network of more than 300 programs, according to the press release.
Stillwell, of Holmdel, is president of Stillwell Hansen Inc., an equipment distribution company based in Edison. She works to support local and national organizations such as the Juvenile Diabetes Association, Monmouth Medical Center, the Community YMCA, the Ashley Lauren Foundation and the Brookdale Community College Foundation.
Josko, a 1985 Brookdale graduate, has served as associate professor and director of the Medical Laboratory Science Program at the Rutgers University School of Health Professions for more than 20 years, according to the press release.
Hanlon, who initially studied art at Brookdale in 1979, is a classically trained master sculptor and founder of Hanlon Sculpture Studio, Toms River, according to the press release.
Since 1987, Hanlon has completed more than 300 public and private pieces for schools, universities, churches, memorial foundations and other organizations across the country.
“Brookdale’s annual commencement ceremony is an opportunity to recognize and congratulate thousands of our community’s most dedicated, inspiring students,” Heumiller said. “Each year we hear from graduates who have overcome tremendous odds, discovered their passion and reached the highest pinnacles of success, right here in Monmouth County. Graduation is a very proud day for all members of the Brookdale community and for our county as a whole.”
