Submitted by Middlesex Community College
Middlesex Community College’s Commencement exercises for the approximately 1,150 members of the Class of 2019 will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 23, in the Lowell Memorial Auditorium, 50 E. Merrimack St. The processional begins at 9:30 a.m. in front of the Cowan Center on the Lowell campus, located diagonally across from the auditorium.
This year, two outstanding alums will address the Class of 2019. Bedford Police Chief Robert Bongiorno (Class of 1993) will address graduates at Commencement exercises on May 23. And Linda Krasnecki Chemaly (1972), of Trinity EMS, will address Health Programs graduates at MCC’s Health Pinning Ceremony to be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, in the Lowell Memorial Auditorium.
Robert Bongiorno
Growing up in Arlington, Bongiorno dreamed of becoming a police officer. Seeking an affordable, quality education close to home, he enrolled at MCC and earned an associate degree in Criminal Justice in 1993.
As a student, Bongiorno served an internship with the Concord Police Department, and worked as a corrections officer at MCI-Concord to put himself through school. After graduation, Concord PD hired him as a full-time officer. As a Concord police officer, Bongiorno spent nights and weekends earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Western New England College.
“I started my law enforcement journey in Bedford at Middlesex and will end my law enforcement journey in Bedford as police chief,” he said, adding that he credits MCC with providing the career opportunities that landed him in the chief’s position.
Linda Krasnecki Chemaly
A 1972 graduate of MCC’s Dental Assisting Program, Chemaly grew up in Chelmsford and still lives there. After graduating from Middlesex, she worked as a dental assistant for five years, then earned a bachelor’s degree at Northeastern University.
Her husband, John, and his business partner Gary Sepe, founded Trinity EMS. With the help of Linda’s business savvy and people skills, they have built Trinity into one of the region’s most successful companies.
“I loved Middlesex,” said Chemaly. “It was my springboard, it gave me the confidence I needed.” Her message to the Class of 2019 is that every person’s path to success is different.
“You can always change your mind – never be afraid to stop what you are doing and try something different,” said Chemaly. “Get your degree, and figure out the rest later. That degree is something that can’t be taken away from you.”
For more information about 2019 Commencement, visit: www.middlesex.mass.edu/graduation
About Middlesex Community College
Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, we educate, engage and empower a diverse community of learners. MCC offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses – on our campuses in Bedford and Lowell, and online. Middlesex Community College: Student success starts here!
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