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Great day for a graduation

I attended Middlesex Community College’s graduation today along with 700+ graduates, their families, MCC staff and faculty, and some elected folks. Notably absent was State Rep. James Miceli, who had a vacant seat waiting for him in the front row of the stage and was listed as a speaker on the program. Councilor Eileen Donoghue gave welcoming remarks from the City of Lowell and made a point of thanking the college for their great partnership and the role model of service they provide to our community. President Carole Cowan couldn’t help getting a bit political and urged students to “work as strong vocal supporters of public higher education,” but it was Professor David Kalivas who passionately challenged students: “Why does this state rank towards the bottom of funding for public higher education? Your communities need input, people to participate…work for yourselves but within the community spirit.” 

As usual, the college landed an excellent keynote speaker: This year, teacher Erin Gruwell, who started the Freedom Writers Foundation and compiled a book of her students’ writing, The Freedom Writers Diary (now a film starring Hilary Swank), spoke about how words and sharing experiences can be life altering. Gruwell taught at an urban high school in Long Beach, California—our sister city with the largest Cambodian population on the West Coast while Lowell has the largest on the East Coast. Gruwell also challenged the audience when she asked: “What happens if you tell a kid again and again and again that they’re dumb and not worth it? What happens if they believe it?” She began and ended her remarks with an inspiring quote from Gandhi that I leave you with now: “May you be the change you wish to see in the world.” 

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