ACCT PRESIDENT AND CEO J. NOAH BROWN GIVES COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS AT CUMBERLAND COUNTY COLLEGE
ACCT PRESIDENT AND CEO J. NOAH BROWN GIVES COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS AT
CUMBERLAND COUNTY COLLEGE
New Jersey College Graduates Largest Class Ever
WASHINGTON, DC—May 21, 2010— Yesterday, Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) President and CEO J. Noah Brown spoke to graduates of Cumberland County College in Vineland, N.J. Brown told graduates that “the term commencement means ‘a new beginning.’ Remember that the next rung in the ladder awaits you. Be prepared to learn everything you can.”
“We are extremely proud of our 626 graduates, since they are as diverse as our community with student ages ranging from 18 to 69,” Cumberland County College President Thomas Isekenegbe said. “We are equally proud of the students who were honored today for earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the on-campus Shirlee and Bernard Brown University Center. Many are Cumberland County College graduates.”
One hundred and seven students received degrees from the CCC university center partners: Fairleigh Dickinson University, Georgian Court University, Montclair State University, Rowan University and Wilmington University.
“The university center offers a great opportunity for residents with family or job responsibilities who can’t relocate or commute,” said Isekenegbe. “Before the university center, many area students wouldn’t progress beyond an associate’s degree.”
Cumberland County College is one of two community colleges in New Jersey that has an on-campus university center.
“I must ask a favor of all of today’s esteemed graduates, including those of you graduating from the university center,” said Brown. “Be a lifelong advocate for community colleges and especially your new alma mater, Cumberland County College.” Brown noted that alma mater means ‘fostering mother,’ and said that “there is no more life-bringing and nurturing institution in American higher education today.”
“Passion,” Brown said, “is a key ingredient for success and achievement.” He encouraged graduates to move ahead in their lives with confidence, to “be an agent for change,” and to be lifelong advocates of community colleges, suggesting that they "help others understand community colleges put wings on dreams.”
The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) is a non-profit educational organization of governing boards, representing more than 6,500 elected and appointed trustees who govern over 1,200 community, technical, and junior colleges in the United States and beyond. For more information, go to www.acct.org.
Cumberland County College is a comprehensive community college that is accessible, learning-centered, and dedicated to serving a diverse community of learners and employers through quality innovative programs, services and the appropriate use of technology for life-long learning. For more information, go to www.cccnj.edu.
# # #