Contact Information

Kristen Cyr
Public Relations Officer

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

CCRI Celebrates 43rd Commencement

News Release

Warwick, R.I. – May 19, 2008: More than 1,490 associate degrees and certificates were conferred as the college celebrated its 43rd commencement Friday 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 – gave congratulations to the Class of 2008.

Rhode Island television journalist Karen Adams, an award-winning anchor for Channel 12’s Eyewitness News, delivered the commencement address. She shared her own story of working her way up through radio and broadcast ranks to attain the position she has today and urged graduates to persistent in pursuing their dreams.

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

Representing her class was 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.