County College of Morris (CCM) presented diplomas to the Class of 2017 during its 48th commencement ceremony Friday, May 26.
Approximately 1,450 students – many who are transferring to top four-year institutions to earn their bachelor’s degrees – were eligible to receive diplomas in one of four degrees: Associate in Arts, Associate in Fine Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science. The five most popular programs CCM students received degrees in are Business Administration, Humanities Social Science (Liberal Arts), Nursing, Criminal Justice and Biology. The graduates completed their studies between August 2016 and May 2017.
More than 500 students from the Class of 2017 took part in this year’s commencement ceremony. Due to the number of students who participated in this year’s commencement, the ceremony was moved offsite to the Mennen Sports Arena.
Included among the top schools CCM graduates are transferring to are Emerson College, Johnson & Wales University, Penn State University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the University of Texas, Arlington, along with New Jersey’s leading colleges and universities.
Dr. Anthony J. Iacono, who became CCM’s third president this past September, gave the commencement address.
”Today is a joyous occasion as we celebrate all the hard work, sacrifice and commitment that have brought you to this point of completion and new beginnings. Your education will open up doors of opportunity and set you on the path to a more fulfilling life,” said Iacono. But … I challenge you not to stop there. Instead, take what you have learned – and will continue to learn – and use it to open the doors of opportunity for others. As much as others have helped you to reach this milestone, be that help for others.”
Standing with tradition, this year’s County College of Morris Peace Prize recipient was recognized at commencement. The winner of the 2017 CCM Peace Prize is Jessica Ann Jones, of Hopatcong, for her video “Light.” Her video can be viewed at http://tinyurl.com/lz2ct3a. Professor Laura Gabrielsen, from the Department of English and Philosophy, served as Jones’ mentor for the project.
The creator of the winning entry each year receives a $1,000 award, provided by the CCM Foundation. Jones also will have her name added to a permanent plaque of Peace Prize winners located in the Student Community Center.
This is the 15th year the college has awarded its Peace Prize, which is organized and administered by Professor Peter Maguire of the Department of English and Philosophy. Established in the fall of 2001, the Peace Prize competition provides students with the opportunity to apply their imagination and creativity to the design and production of a work that both commemorates the events of September 11, 2001 and makes a positive statement about the importance and pursuit of world peace.
