BHCC News for 2013

For the second consecutive year, Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) ranks eighth largest among the region’s colleges and universities, according to the Boston Business Journal’s new Book of Lists. In addition, the College has the area’s single largest enrollment of part-time students.

Champion boxer turned women’s fitness advocate Laila Ali, daughter of legendary fighter Muhammad Ali, called on students at Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) to take control of their own health.

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) students and faculty who “give back” to the community have won national recognition for the College. BHCC was among the higher education institutions named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for their volunteer and service work. The list of Massachusetts winners included Boston University, Brandeis University, Tufts University and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Ratnasari Lusiaga, a student at Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC), has been selected as one of the nation’s Coca-Cola New Century Scholars, based on her outstanding grades, leadership and activities.

BHCC Magazine, a publication of Bunker Hill Community College, and the 2012-2013 BHCC Student Handbook each won a gold medal in the annual Paragon contest sponsored by the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR). Taking home the silver was the 2012-2013 College Catalog.

The Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) recognized Bunker Hill Community College for two communications projects in the international organization’s annual regional competition. The College’s bi-annual publication BHCC Magazine earned two honorable mentions, for Magazine Writing and for the Magazine Overall. A poster titled “Young, Gifted and Black” promoting the Black History Month exhibit in the BHCC Art Gallery, took a Bronze Award.

Raytheon Chairman and CEO William H. Swanson will be the keynote speaker at Bunker Hill Community College’s 39th Commencement exercises on June 1, 2013. Swanson has also been named 2013 recipient of the BHCC President’s Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes extraordinary commitment and service to the College. It is the highest honor the College bestows on a community or civic leader.

Dr. Pam Y. Eddinger has been named president of Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) following a six-month search. President of Moorpark College in California since 2008, Eddinger is a former vice president of MassBay Community College in Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts.

The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center has awarded $200,000 to Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) to strengthen the College’s biotechnology program by expanding its laboratory capabilities and enriching its curriculum. The award, announced by Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray and the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center at Children’s Hospital on April 8, is part of more than $9.35 million in grants awarded to Greater Boston hospitals, medical schools and colleges to plan, renovate and equip life sciences laboratories.

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) student Valter Gomes was one of the 29 outstanding 2013 graduates of Massachusetts public colleges and universities honored for academic achievement and community service at the State House on May 2. The “29 Who Shine” ceremony was attended by Governor Deval Patrick and state education officials.

With the largest graduating class of more than 1,200 students, William H. Swanson, Chairman and CEO of Raytheon Company delivered the keynote address at the 39th Commencement at Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) today. Mr. Swanson was honored with the highest award presented to a business and civic leader; the BHCC President’s Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes extraordinary commitment and service to the College. Working with the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership, Swanson helped create the innovative “Learn and Earn” program at BHCC, which provides students with essential skills through workplace experience at some of the region’s largest corporations.

Bunker Hill Community College President Mary L. Fifield received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Massachusetts National Network of Women Leaders (MNNWL) at the 2013 President’s Dinner and Leadership Award Ceremony on June 11. The ceremony was held at Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts. Fifield retires as BHCC President on June 30 after more than 16 years during which the College’s enrollment increased by 117 percent.

The Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) Foundation raised more than $400,000 to endow the newly named the Mary L. Fifield Endowed Student Emergency Assistance Fund. The fund provides immediate assistance to BHCC students who experience an emergency. Fifield retires from the College June 30 after more than 16 years of service as President.

The art gallery at Bunker Hill Community College has been re-named the Mary L. Fifield Art Gallery following a unanimous vote by the BHCC Board of Trustees on June 24.

Eleven Bunker Hill Community College students were among the 13 graduates of First Literacy’s program for adult learners to earn special recognition as scholarship winners during pre-game festivities at Fenway Park on July 22. Pam Y. Eddinger, Ph.D., President of Bunker Hill Community College presented the scholarships to the students at a ceremony on the field.

The Massachusetts House of Representatives recognized Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) with a special citation for the College’s three-year commitment to provide training for those working in the state’s ex-offender and reentry programs.

Bunker Hill Community College has been named to the list of top Military Friendly Schools by Victory Media, the premier media entity for military personnel transitioning into civilian life. The list singles out the colleges, universities and trade schools that do the most to embrace America’s military service members, veterans and spouses as students and ensure their success on campus.

One student and two graduates of Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) were among those recognized by the Boston Private Industry Council (PIC) at its annual meeting at the Federal Reserve Bank in Boston on September 11. Recipients of the PIC Achievers Award included Sharaad Chase, a student in BHCC’s Emergency Medical Technology program; Felix Tejeda, a graduate of BHCC now in his senior year at Suffolk University; and Daniel Velasquez, a graduate of BHCC now working as Admissions Recruitment Counselor at the College.

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) has received a $215,883 grant from a state fund designed to spur innovations and improve educational outcomes in public higher education, the College has announced.

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) is one of just 39 colleges and universities across the country to receive a U.S. Department of Education Title III grant under the Strengthening Institutions Program. The $2,232,943 grant over five years will enhance a major initiative at the College that employs both technology and personal attention to promote student success in educational, career and life goals. Just one other institution of higher education in Massachusetts was among the recipients.

Volunteers from across the region joined students, faculty and staff at Bunker Hill Community College on Saturday, October 19 to plant 13 new trees on the Charlestown campus grounds. The Odwalla company and The Nature Conservancy sponsored the planting, which is part of a larger commitment to plant a total of 130,000 trees during 2013 in forests and urban areas nationwide. The Boston Natural Areas Network also took part in the event.

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) won nine awards – including four Gold Awards – in the annual regional communications competition sponsored by the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR).

Shoshana Johnson, the first black female prisoner of war in U.S. military history, believes that females should be allowed into combat roles in the U.S. military, saying women already confront the challenges of war.

For the third time in four years, the Bunker Hill Community College men’s soccer team has won the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division III regional championship. The team now competes in the national Division III championships.

Danny Glover and Felix Justice presented the work of Martin Luther King and Langston Hughes to a Bunker Hill Community College audience on November 12 as part of the College’s Compelling Conversations speaker series, a program that has brought high-profile politicians, authors, news commentators and filmmakers to the Charlestown Campus for 10 years.

Bunker Hill Community College is among seven Northeast community colleges and two national organizations that will share a $23.5 million federal grant aimed at enhancing their communities’ resilience by developing a workforce with skills in critical areas.

Dr. Kathleen O’Neill has been recognized by the Boston Foundation with a Change Maker Award for her work as director of Bunker Hill Community College’s Single Stop program. The program connects low-income students to existing resources that help them stay in school and earn a degree.

Building upon the Patrick Administration’s agenda to help strengthen the Commonwealth’s community colleges workforce development programs, Revenue Commissioner Amy Pitter today joined Bunker Hill Community College administrators in announcing an innovative degree and certificate program to prepare students for a career in state taxation. As part of the new curriculum, Department of Revenue staff makes presentations on Massachusetts state tax law. Upon successful completion of prerequisite courses, the students may be eligible for a paid internship at DOR.