Over 1,400 Graduate at MCC's 45th Ceremony

A total of 1,458 degrees and certificates were awarded at Middlesex County College Thursday, May 17 at the 45th annual Commencement exercises witnessed by more than 3,000 guests. 

Valedictorian Jessica Soto of Old Bridge delivered the class welcome, sharing her experiences and aspirations. Soto was the co-president of the college chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges.

For Soto, who was married, just had her second child, and managed a law firm for six years, the idea of college "seemed like a far-fetched goal."

“For many of us, community college may not have been our first choice, but it turned out to be the right choice. It is the place we all needed in order to grow. I grew more during the time I spent at Middlesex than I thought possible," Soto told the graduation audience. 

Approximately 600 members of the Class of 2012 participated in the exercises, representing the 325 graduates of August 2011, 407 of January 2012 and 676 of May 2012. Participants included several students who fulfilled the requirements for more than one degree or certificate during this academic year.

Megan Giles of , along with eight other graduates, was given the Frank M. Chambers award for academic excellence in recognition of her 4.0 grade point average. The other recipients of the award were Class Salutatorian Charles Hahn of New Brunswick; Sylwia Adamczyk of Piscataway; Diana Castano of Perth Amboy; Robert L. Kenney III of Montclair; Michelle Kniep of Metuchen; Jodi Beth Silverman of North Brunswick; and Anthony V. Zecca of Edison.