Contact Information

Kristen Cyr
Public Relations Officer

Tel: 401-825-1175
E-mail: klcyr@ccri.edu

CCRI to Celebrate 43rd Commencement

News Release

Warwick, R.I. – May 16, 2008: More than 1,450 associate degrees and certificates will be conferred as the college celebrates its 43rd commencement starting at 4:30 p.m. today in the Vincent A. Cullen Field House at the Knight Campus in Warwick.

Several dignitaries – among them Gov. Donald Carcieri, Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts, U.S. Sen. Jack Reed and Congressman Jim Langevin – will be on hand to give congratulations to the Class of 2008.

Rhode Island television journalist Karen Adams, anchor for Channel 12’s Eyewitness News, will deliver the commencement address. Adams has won many awards for her work – including the coveted Emmy Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for Individual Achievement in Anchoring for all of New England – and is known for her far-reaching and extensive community involvement, serving on various boards and volunteering her time and talents for various fund-raising events.

CCRI President Ray Di Pasquale will provide a snapshot of this year’s graduating class during his remarks by highlighting several stories of outstanding students.

Representing her class will be student speaker Karen Finn of Coventry, who earned her GED in 1971 and worked for the IRS and in the banking industry and raised two children before returning to school in 2004 to study early childhood education. Finn completed her associate degree requirements in December and since has transferred to the University of Rhode Island to complete her bachelor’s degree in the same major. She hopes to work in early childhood intervention.

The commencement exercise will be the culmination of two weeks of events honoring members of the Class of 2008 including pinning ceremonies for graduates in the radiography, dental assisting, dental hygiene, diagnostic medical sonography, physical therapist assistant and nursing programs. The college also held an Access Recognition Luncheon, an athletic awards/media day event, a Graduation Awards Luncheon and a Phi Theta Kappa Golden Tassel Luncheon in the days leading up to commencement.