'Unbound by convention.' Granite State College celebrates commencement

Special to Seacoastonline
·4 min read

MANCHESTER — Granite State College celebrated its Class of 2022 at its commencement ceremony held Monday, May 23 at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester. This year’s class includes 500 adult learners of all ages from the college’s affordable, online associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs. An estimated 200 graduates were in attendance.

Student speaker Sam Mellert, B.S. business management ‘22, reflected on the obstacles he overcame to finish his degree. He also applauded his classmates for balancing work, military service, family, and other obligations while completing their degrees.

“Fellow graduates, no matter where you plan to go from here, I am confident that you will do great things. You already have,” Mellert said.

The Granite State College graduates celebrated in a commencement ceremony at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester on Monday, May 23, after graduation was delayed a day because of severe heat on Sunday, May 22.
The Granite State College graduates celebrated in a commencement ceremony at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester on Monday, May 23, after graduation was delayed a day because of severe heat on Sunday, May 22.

James W. Dean, Jr., president of Granite State College and the University of New Hampshire, underlined the value of Granite State College’s online programs for adults.

“The model of a Granite State College education represents a bright, innovative future for higher education in our state and in our nation. This is a future that will be unbound by convention. One where a student’s path to a degree is more flexible, affordable, and accessible. One where the pursuit of knowledge and new career opportunities can begin at any point in a person’s life – and on a timeline that fits into their busy lives. It is a model that opens doors for everyone,” Dean said.

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During the ceremony, Dean presented Jeff Feingold, editor of NH Business Review, with an honorary doctorate in humane letters. This award is presented to a respected leader whose contributions bring significant enrichment to their community and whose values reinforce the valuable mission of Granite State College.

Granite State College celebrated its Class of 2022 on Monday, May 23 at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester.
Granite State College celebrated its Class of 2022 on Monday, May 23 at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester.

“Think for a moment about what each of you has accomplished and where you stand today. No matter the degree you earned, no matter the course of study, no matter your ultimate goal, you have accomplished something long lasting that will make your life better,” Feingold said.

Tina Sharby, M.S. leadership ’18, chief human resources officer for Easterseals NH, was recognized with the Victor Montana Award. This award is presented annually to an alumna or alumnus who personifies a positive spirit and love of learning by demonstrating a commitment to lifelong learning, community service, and their chosen profession.

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New Hampshire Fisher Cats President Mike Ramshaw accepted the Granite State Award in recognition of the organization as a centerpiece of tourism in New Hampshire and for its education-focused philanthropic and community-oriented programs through the New Hampshire Fisher Cats Foundation.

Dean Mike Decelle recognized Paula Shafer and Carmen Frederico with the Distinguished Faculty Award, which celebrates excellence in teaching.

Graduates in the Granite State College Class of 2022 from the Seacoast region include:

BARRINGTON

Shelby Hoffman, David Totty

BERWICK, Maine

Sara Paola

BRENTWOOD

Holly Standen

DOVER

Jaimi Bernier, Austin Bigham, Sophia Cartier, Jessica Cimmino, Jessica Czaja, Carmela DeVoy, Erin Driscoll, Brian Eibert, Sarah Fargo, Mark Geuther, Rachel Lampel, Jiliam Lengyel, Sarah Little, Patricia Menard, Katharine Parker-Wright,

DURHAM

Kevin Jacques, Carolyn O’Driscoll, Kayla Wernig

EAST WAKEFIELD

Major-Xeno Fouquereaux, Courtney, Weymouth

ELIOT, Maine

Christina Gill, Jason Graves

EPPING

Ryan Burris, Alexander MacDuffie, Heather Newton

EXETER

Peter Girard, Brian Marshall, Kelly Spainhower, Leann Tsou, Dakota Vondrasek

FARMINGTON

John Cormier, Todd Hearn

FREMONT

Tammy Bond

HAMPTON

Justin Cutting

KENSINGTON

Tanya DeBoisbriand

KITTERY, Maine

Brigette Durham, Joseph Melanson, Brittany Melanson, Sean Sunderlin

LEBANON, Maine

Diane Blanchard, Abigail Sargent

LEE

Julia Lewis

MADBURY

Megan Stewart

MIDDLETON

Megan Roche

MILTON

Alyson Kendrick

MILTON MILLS

Samuel Mellert

NEWFIELDS

Tracey Marshall

NEWMARKET

Sarah Sherman

NORTH BERWICK, Maine

Adrianna Payton

NORTH HAMPTON

Katie Marrero

NORTHFIELD

Cheyanne Ferns

NORTHWOOD

Jacinta Guerreiro, Lisha Nelson, Joanne Yestramski

NOTTINGHAM

Courtney Amadon

PORTSMOUTH

Patricia Covolo, Ben Douglas, Jordan Fletcher, Madeline French, Tricia Labelle, Nicole Piper, Ashley Wilson

RAYMOND

Kathy Belanger, Jason Grant, Sara McPherson, Anis Oveisi, Frederick Roche

ROCHESTER

Jaden Bandouveres, Tori Cormier, David Corson, Jeri-Anne Crowder, Elizabeth DeTrude, Kyle DeTrude, Kayla Faist, Ruth Fanfan, Kelly Fontaine, Gregory Gargano, Molly Hatch, Melissa Keefe, Miles Leno, Andrew Odor, John Provost, Venessa Ramirez, Michelle Shaw, Christopher Towle, Hannah Winship, Anthony Yerakes

SANFORD, Maine

Jennifer Burke-Guptill, Jeffrey Prim

SOMERSWORTH

Elizabeth Brown, Benjamin Theriault, Kellie Trudeau, April Tucker, Lindsey Wood

SOUTH BERWICK, Maine

William Young

STRAFFORD

Patricia Abels, Amie Mackey, Erin O’Dea, Robert Schramm, Madison Vasquez

UNION

Jesse Garcia-Montes, Erin Wolforth

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Granite State College of USNH celebrates 2022 commencement