A Letter from Dr. G. Jeremiah Ryan to the Bergen Community College Class of 2010
Dear Graduates,
On May 20, as part of the 41st commencement of Bergen Community College, you were members of the biggest graduating class in Bergen Community College history.
I would like to thank all of you as well as the faculty and staff for their work in making this a joyful and successful commencement.
We are: One College – One Community.
The 2,113-student-strong Class of 2010 has given all members of the College community many reasons to be proud. Here is a breakdown of degrees and some of the Class’ successes.
There are 555 graduates who have earned an Associate in Arts, 1,072 graduates have earned an Associate in Science, and 486 graduates have earned an Associate in Applied Science degree. In addition, 38 students earned Certificates and 4 earned Certificates of Achievement.
The College has seen an increase of 37 percent in the 2010 graduating class from the previous year. Eighty-seven percent of the College’s students say they plan to pursue their formal educations at four-year colleges and universities.
The Class of 2010 has distinguished itself in many ways:
- 43 students are receiving Academic Excellence Awards for achieving a perfect 4.0 grade point average.
- 20 students are graduating from the Honors Program.
- 111 students from the Class of 2010 were inducted into Phi Theta Kappa.
- 26 students are listed in Who’s Who in American Junior Colleges.
- 25 graduates who have received Educational Opportunity Fund grants garnered State Achievement Awards for attaining a 3.2 grade point average or higher.
Many of you have connected to communities throughout Bergen County by taking part in Service Learning, applying what you learn in the classroom to help community organizations. Your experiences in Service Learning not only shape you as leaders, but they help shape the community.
This year, more than 500 Bergen Community College students and 60 faculty members devoted more than 9,000 hours to helping social service organizations, government agencies, hospitals, schools and other organizations through the Service Learning Program.
Starting with the Class of 2010, your Service Learning projects will appear on your college transcripts.
Your education at Bergen Community College has prepared you to take the next step, to assume a bigger role in making the world around you a better place. You have done more than just earn a degree. You have opened a new door on the path to becoming responsible citizens.
The Class of 2010 has earned the right to feel proud. Your graduation is not an ending. It is an evolutionary step in realizing your dreams.
But remember this: Wherever you go, you will remain part of our community at Bergen Community College. You always will take a part of the College along with you.
As community college graduates, you have been part of a national movement. You have a role in answering the challenge of keeping America prosperous.
As President Barack Obama said several months ago when he announced the "American Graduation Initiative" to bolster community colleges:
“Time and again, when we have placed our bet for the future on education, we have prospered as a result...Jobs requiring at least an associate degree are projected to grow twice as fast as jobs requiring no college experience. We will not fill those jobs, or keep those jobs on our shores, without the training offered by community colleges."
So, on behalf of the faculty, the administration and the staff of Bergen Community College, I congratulate all of the members of the Class of 2010 and wish you the best of good fortune in all of your endeavors.
I invite each of you, with your unique talents and accomplishments, to become a part of our enduring legacy as: One College - One Community.
Thank you.
Dr. G. Jeremiah Ryan
President
