MORRIS COUNTY

CCM president tells grads to find their passion at final commencement

1,400 students receive degrees at 47th annual event

Michael Izzo
@MIzzoDR
Guadalupe Barrios of Dover one of three award recipients during the County College of Morris 47th Commencement ceremony.  May 27, 2016, Randolph, NJ

RANDOLPH – Though 1,400 students received degrees Friday morning, the star of County College of Morris’ 47th Commencement may have been the president of the school, who delivered his final address at the ceremony.

Edward Yaw, one of the longest serving county college presidents in New Jersey history, was awarded the honor of President Emeritus before delivering his last commencement speech to a packed gymnasium.

“I can’t say I’m speechless,” Yaw said, after receiving the award, “but I’m pretty close to it.”

Yaw has served as CCM’s president for more than 30 years, and was only second in the school’s history to hold the position since its creation in 1968.

“Giving this speech is my last official honor as outgoing president of CCM,” Yaw said. “It has been a pleasure and privilege sharing the stories of our students over these many years, and watching class after class move on to higher levels of achievement in pursuit of their dreams.”

President Edward Yaw saves the biggest smile when introducing his wife during the County College of Morris 47th Commencement ceremony.  May 27, 2016, Randolph, NJ

But the celebration was about the graduating students and the journeys they were about to embark on.

“Today is a special day for all of you and it’s the beginning,” said Kathy DeFillippo, director of the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders. “The beginning of many special days as you move through life. Whether you chose to continue your education, begin a career, become an entrepreneur, explore new territories or try your hand at another new experience.”

DeFillippo told students to follow their dreams regardless of the obstacles. She said those dreams can be anything they imagine and all start with the major step they just took in earning degrees.

“You did that,” DeFillippo said. “Be proud of it.”

Board of Trustees Chair Joseph Ricca commended students for being bold and taking a major step by graduating.

“You’re ready for that next step,” Ricca said. “But let’s be honest, the next step can sometimes be a bit scary.”

Whatever graduates choose to do, Ricca said to make their world a better place.

“Because when you make your world a better place,” Ricca said, “You’re making our world a better place.”

Derek Allen of Florham Park leads Liberal Arts graduates during the County College of Morris 47th Commencement ceremony.  May 27, 2016, Randolph, NJ

In his keynote address, Yaw expressed his gratitude to the students he said made CCM a better place, and used his speech to highlight several outstanding students and the diversity of the student body.

Timothy Hajj of Sparta came to CCM unsure of what he wanted to do and pursued several majors before discovering a passion for chemistry. He will intern this summer at Novartis Pharmaceuticals.

Daniel Edens of Randolph knew what he wanted to do after high school - aeronautics - but along the way, he developed an interest in electrical engineering and returned home to pursue a degree at CCM. He graduated with honors while balancing a full-time job and is deciding between several top universities to further his education.

SEE PHOTO GALLERY:

County College of Morris 47th Commencement ceremony 

A large ovation was reserved for Guadalupe Barrios of Dover, who had a long and trying road to earning her degree.

Barrios was academically dismissed from her first stint at CCM, as she struggled to balance schoolwork and caring for her sick father. But after taking some time off and undergoing a “reality check” she returned to the school with a new sense of purpose.

President Edward Yaw acknowledges a standing ovation after being presented the President Emeritus by Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Joseph L. Ricca Jr. at the County College of Morris 47th Commencement ceremony.  May 27, 2016, Randolph, NJ

Barrios has a learning disability, which makes studying challenging and requires her to read her homework several times to understand the material. But she managed to find a major she cared about - social work - and pursued her studies while balancing several jobs and caring for a baby.

But with less than a month to go, Barrios and her baby were hit by a drunk driver while crossing the street in Dover. She was hospitalized for four days, her daughter for three, and the pair are still recovering. Her injuries were so severe she could not write for her final exams, which had to be pushed to January.

But Barrios persevered and received her degree in human services Friday. She plans to attend Seton Hall in the fall to pursue a bachelor’s and eventually a master’s degree.

The 2016 CCM Peace Prize was awarded to Mirella Quintana, of Dover, for her video “Unity and Laughter Through Peace.” Her video can be seen at https://youtu.be/_FGvepm2IH8.

Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen shakes hands with Mirella Quintana, County College of Morris Peace Prize winner during the 47th Commencement ceremony.  May 27, 2016, Randolph, NJ

For winning, Quintana received a $1,000 award and will have her name added to a permanent plaque of Peace Prize winners located in the Student Community Center. The Peace Prize was established in the fall of 2001 in remembrance of the events of September 11 and to make a positive statement about the importance and pursuit of world peace.

Yaw made his last commencement a memorable one, even singing with the CCM Chamber Choir before concluding his address and conferring the degrees.

“You represent a rich mosaic of our community and its aspirations for enlightenment and success,” Yaw said. “On behalf of the faculty and administration of County College of Morris, we wish each and every one of you congratulations and good luck.”

Students received associate degrees in Arts, Fine Arts, Science, and Applied Science and all graduates completed their studies between August 2015 and May 2016.

Many of the 1,400 students plan to transfer to four-year institutions to earn their bachelor’s degrees.

Julie Corcoran of Morris Plains, l, and Phyllis Antwi of Morristown pose for a selfie before the County College of Morris 47th Commencement ceremony.  May 27, 2016, Randolph, NJ

Schools students plan to transfer to include Columbia University, Johns Hopkins University, Pace University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Rochester Institute of Technology, Savannah College of Art and Design, Syracuse University, University of Virginia and Virginia Tech, along with several New Jersey colleges and universities.

The five most popular programs CCM students received degrees in were Business Administration, Humanities Social Science, Nursing, Criminal Justice and Biology.

More than 400 students from the Class of 2016 attended this year’s commencement ceremony.

Anthony Iacono was named CCM’s third president in March and will take over the position this summer once Yaw officially steps down in August.

The commencement ceremony can be viewed in its entirety on the County College of Morris YouTube channel.

Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636; mizzo@GannettNJ.com

2016 grads:We want your graduation photos! Email your photos to: eabreu@gannettnj.com.