Montgomery College Honors Nearly 1,100 Students at 2023 Commencement Ceremony
Montgomery College honored approximately 1,100 of the more than 3,000 graduates in its class of 2023 at the Rockville Campus Athletic Field on May 19.
Montgomery College honored approximately 1,100 of the more than 3,000 graduates in its class of 2023 at the Rockville Campus Athletic Field on May 19.
During his commencement address, Montgomery College President Jermaine F. Williams told graduates that an estimated 85% of the jobs that will exist in 2030 have not been invented yet. He said, “The good news for the class of 2023 is that your skills will be leveraged in ways we that we couldn’t even imagine five years ago." He added, “What you will bring to the equation is essential: your talent and agility, your lived experiences, and a refined vision for social justice and equity.”
This year’s graduating class reflects the diversity of Montgomery County. They represent 102 countries. The class is composed of Asian (15%), Black/African American (24%), foreign students (10%), Hispanic (25%), and White (22%) students and the remainder multirace/unknown. Of those graduates, more than 260 were high school students earning an associate’s degree through the College’s Dual Enrollment programs.
A dual enrollment student, Nathaniel Y. Lim, earned one of four Montgomery College Board of Trustees Academic Excellence Awards. Lim, a general studies STEM major, graduated with a 4.0 grade point average. This fall, Lim will attend the University of Maryland, College Park, to earn a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry. He plans to go to dental school and pursue a career in dentistry like his dad.
Four graduates earned Montgomery College Board of Trustees Academic Excellence Awards: Nathaniel Y. Lim, a general studies STEM major; Simon A. Alvarado Jr., who completed a two-year apprenticeship program as an automotive technician; Hollis Xavier Zimmerman, a radio broadcast media production major and member of Phi Theta Kappa; and Richa Carmel D’Mello, a computer science major and member of Phi Theta Kappa. Each graduated with a 4.0 grade point average.
In addition to honoring outstanding students, the College awarded honorary degrees to four individuals who have distinguished themselves with extraordinary achievements, made outstanding contributions to MC, and/or elevated the College in the eyes of the community.
In addition to honoring outstanding students at commencement, the College awarded honorary degrees to four individuals, including Ms. Kimmy Duong. In addition to her professional success, Ms. Duong, a Korean immigrant, has been active in philanthropy for over a decade.
Honorary degree recipients included: Ms. Kimmy Duong, an accomplished tech entrepreneur, philanthropist, and refugee from Vietnam; Ms. Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg, a social practice artist who champions human dignity through topics she explores, including homelessness, gun safety, drug addiction, and politics; C. Richard Mattingly, founder and president of The Luv U Project, a 501(c)(3) public charity that focuses on mental health treatments; and the Honorable Craig L. Rice, former member of the Montgomery County Council who strengthened MC’s STEM education by backing renovation and building projects at all three campuses.