![MassBay Community College 2024 Commencement Award Winners pose with MassBay President David Podell before the 62nd Commencement ceremony (from left to right) Esther Jagwer, Hannah Almeida, Jessica Honeywell, MassBay President David Podell, Christopher Bryan Simmans, and Douglas Fernando Centeno on the Wellesley Hills campus, Wellesley Hills, MA, May 2024 (Photo/ MassBay Community College)]( "MassBay Community College 2024 Commencement Award Winners pose with MassBay President David Podell before the 62nd Commencement ceremony (from left to right) Esther Jagwer, Hannah Almeida, Jessica Honeywell, MassBay President David Podell, Christopher Bryan Simmans, and Douglas Fernando Centeno on the Wellesley Hills campus, Wellesley Hills, MA, May 2024 (Photo/ MassBay Community College)")
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Liz Cooper
781-540-1231
ecooper@massbay.edu
WELLESLEY HILLS, Mass. (August 6, 2024) — MassBay Community College honored the Class of 2024 at the College’s 62nd Commencement Exercises on Thursday, May 23, 2024. The ceremony celebrated the achievements of 620 graduates. Special honors were awarded to seven talented student scholars who earned a 4.0 grade point average (GPA), nine students who earned the highest GPA in their academic divisions, and 31 students who earned the highest GPA in their academic program.
The seven graduates with a perfect 4.0 grade point average received an All-College Academic Award, the highest academic honor bestowed by MassBay. The award was presented to the following students:
Hannah Almeida of Clinton, MA earned an All-College Academic Award for her 4.0 GPA. She also received the Division Award for achieving the highest GPA in the academic division of Business and Professional Studies and the Program Award for the highest GPA in her academic program, Liberal Arts: Elementary Education. Almeida came to MassBay when she discovered "what she wanted to be when she grew up." She recalls her interest in education first forming when she helped a friend who was struggling in a math class earn his first A on a test. Almeida found an enormous sense of accomplishment in helping others reach their full potential. She attributes her success to her family, especially her mother, who has always encouraged her, and her fiancé, who provided support while she took the time to study. Almeida received her Associate in Arts degree in Liberal Arts: Elementary Education and will transfer to Worcester State University to pursue her bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy. Her career goals include working with special needs students to help them gain life skills.
Esther Jagwer of Waltham, MA earned an All-College Academic Award for her 4.0 GPA. She also received the Division Award for achieving the highest GPA in the academic division of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, and the Program Award for the highest GPA in her academic program, Life Sciences. Originally from Botswana, Jagwer moved to the area and was encouraged by a friend to study at MassBay. She attributes her academic success to her MassBay advisors and coaches, Carolyn Frantz and Valerie Kapilow, who helped her navigate college. Jagwer received her Associate in Science degree in Life Sciences and will transfer to a four-year university to study neuroscience.
Shahan Ara Madzounian of Ashland, MA earned an All-College Academic Award for his 4.0 GPA. He also received the Division Award for achieving the highest GPA in the academic division of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the Program Award for the highest GPA in his academic program, Liberal Arts. Originally from California, Madzounian attended a community college on the West Coast before leaving school to pursue a career in culinary arts. After more than a decade as a chef, and following the birth of his daughter, he sought better work-life balance and a new challenge. Madzounian’s partner suggested taking classes at MassBay to explore new opportunities. He said, “I landed at MassBay at the perfect time in my life. It had a personal touch that I hadn’t experienced with my first college experience, with professors truly invested in getting you to the place that you want to be.” In addition to his studies, Madzounian served as an embedded tutor in Professor Brandi Perri’s sociology class and as a peer tutor, which helped him connect with his fellow students. He explains his academic excellence: “If I went to another college, I don’t think I would have had the same outcome or drive. MassBay is special.” Madzounian graduated with his Associate in Arts degree in Liberal Arts and will transfer to Yale University for the fall semester to pursue his bachelor’s degree.
James McSweeny of Natick, MA earned an All-College Academic Award for his 4.0 GPA. He also received the Division Award for achieving the highest GPA in the academic division of Business and Professional Studies, and the Program Award for the highest GPA in his academic program, Liberal Arts: Human Services. After being laid-off from an unfulfilling job, McSweeny came to MassBay to change careers. He credits his wife, a nurse, for having a huge influence on him and inspiring his desire to help people, which led him to the Human Services program. McSweeny attributes his academic success to life skills he learned since leaving high school more than 20 years ago, and to the “great professors at MassBay who brought out the best in him.” McSweeny graduated with his Associate in Arts degree in Liberal Arts: Human Services. He currently works at Advocates, supporting adults with brain injuries. He added, “I love the work, I love the company, and I love MassBay.”
Christopher Bryan Simmans of Milford, MA earned an All-College Academic Award for his 4.0 GPA. He also received the Division Award for achieving the highest GPA in the academic division of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, and the Program Award for the highest GPA in his academic program, Electrical and Computer Engineering. Simmans came to MassBay to take advantage of the many transfer options to four-year colleges and the engineering program's alignment with his long-term goals. He was drawn to electrical engineering due to his love for physics and math, finding satisfaction in solving electrical problems. Simmans credits his success to “just doing the work and turning stuff in on time,” as well as effective time management. He is thankful for the support of his girlfriend during his time at MassBay. Simmans graduated with his Associate of Science degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering and will transfer to the University of Massachusetts Lowell to pursue his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.
Madison Rose Varvarigos of Wrentham, MA earned an All-College Academic Award for her 4.0 GPA. She also received the Division Award for achieving the highest GPA in the academic division of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the Program Award for the highest GPA in her academic program, Liberal Arts: Psychology/Sociology. Varvarigos attended a four-year college but felt she wasn’t fitting in and was paying too much to be unhappy. Her parents suggested attending a community college, and she feels as though it “was the best decision she ever made, not only financially, but because the staff and professors at MassBay genuinely care about the students.” Varvarigos is interested in pursuing psychology as she feels she has benefited from it and would like to use her own experiences to help others. Varvarigos is receiving her Associate in Arts degree in Liberal Arts: Psychology/Sociology and will begin her bachelor’s program in psychology at Emmanuel College this fall, with plans to earn a master’s degree.
MassBay awarded nine Division Awards to the graduates with the highest GPA in each of the five academic divisions. Those awardees include:
Automotive Technology Division Award
Douglas Fernando Centeno of Lynn, MA earned the Division Award for his 3.71 GPA, the highest GPA in the academic division of Automotive Technology. Centeno was inspired by his father, who studied automotive technology in El Salvador but had to put his studies aside to support his family after moving to the United States. His father provided him with extensive knowledge about mechanics and cars, as well as his passion and strong work ethic. Centeno enrolled at MassBay because he saw the automotive program as the best value, not just in price but also in the opportunities available to automotive technology students. He received his Associate in Science degree in Automotive Technology: General Motors and will be working at a Cadillac dealership in Lynnfield.
Business and Professional Studies Division Award
Hannah Almeida of Clinton, MA earned a Division Award Honor for her 4.0 GPA, the highest GPA in the academic division of Business and Professional Studies.
James McSweeny of Natick, MA earned a Division Award Honor for his 4.0 GPA, the highest GPA in the academic division of Business and Professional Studies.
Health Sciences Division Award
Jessica Honeywell of Brockton, MA earned a Division Award for her 3.98 GPA, the highest GPA in the academic division of Health Sciences. Honeywell came to MassBay looking for a career change. She chose surgical technology because it provides her “with a way to make sure patients get back to their families safely,” which she finds extremely rewarding. Honeywell credits her success to her professors, who motivated her to do well, and to her 10-year-old son. She explained that she and her son would study together at night and encourage each other to get good grades. Honeywell received her Associate in Science degree in Surgical Technology and will be joining a small surgical team at Brockton Hospital this August.
Humanities and Social Sciences Division Award
Shahan Ara Madzounian of Ashland, MA earned a Division Award honor for his 4.0 GPA, the highest GPA in the academic division of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Madison Rose Varvarigos of Wrentham, MA earned a Division Award honor for her 4.0 GPA, the highest GPA in the academic division of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Division Award
Esther Jagwer of Waltham, MA earned a Division Award for her 4.0 GPA, the highest GPA in the academic division of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
Christopher Bryan Simmans of Milford, MA earned a Division Award for his 4.0 GPA, the highest GPA in the academic division of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
MassBay also awarded 31 Program Awards to the graduates with the highest GPA in each of College’s academic programs:
- Program Award Winner — Accounting MassTransfer
- Program Award Winner — Automotive Technology: General Motors
- Program Award Winner — Biotechnology
- Program Award Winner — Business Administration
- Maria Insony Martinez Balanzar
- Program Award Winner — Computer Information Systems
- Program Award Winner — Computer Science
- Program Award Winner — Criminal Justice
- Program Award Winner — Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Christopher Bryan Simmans
- Program Award Winner — Engineering
- Program Award Winner — Engineering Design
- Program Award Winner — General Business
- Program Award Winner — General Business: Hospitality Management
- Program Award Winner — General Studies: Associate in Arts
- Program Award Winners — General Studies: Associate in Science
- Program Award Winner — Information Systems Technology & Management: Technology
- Program Award Winner — International Business
- Juliana Alejandra Salcedo Arguello
- Program Award Winner — Liberal Arts
- Program Award Winner — Liberal Arts: Communication
- Program Award Winner — Liberal Arts: Early Childhood Education
- Program Award Winner — Liberal Arts: Elementary Education
- Program Award Winner — Liberal Arts: English
- Program Award Winner — Liberal Arts: Human Services
- Program Award Winner — Liberal Arts: Psychology/Sociology
- Program Award Winner — Life Sciences
- Program Award Winner — Mechanical Engineering
- Program Award Winner — Nursing
- Program Award Winner — Radiologic Technology
- Program Award Winner — Surgical Technology
MassBay Community College is the most affordable higher education option in MetroWest Boston, offering a robust portfolio of courses and more than 70 associate degree and certificate programs with flexible day, evening, and weekend classes in Ashland, Framingham, Wellesley Hills, and online. MassBay students receive an unmatched educational value by earning stackable credits that transfer to bachelor’s degree programs, and workforce-ready skills necessary to advance careers in high-demand fields such as health and life sciences, automotive technology, engineering, business, cybersecurity, and the humanities. MassBay’s Associate Degree in Nursing (RN) and Practical Nursing (LPN) programs were both ranked as the #1 Nursing Program in Massachusetts in 2020, 2021, and 2023 by national nursing advocacy organizations RegisteredNursing.org, and PracticalNursing.org. Since its founding in 1961, MassBay has been accredited by several governing bodies and remains firmly committed to its mission of meeting the needs of the diverse local communities it serves. We value the intrinsic worth of all individuals, collectively in pursuit of inclusiveness and prioritize our work towards achieving equity within our community and beyond.