Honors Graduates Celebrated

On a day filled with pride and excitement Brookdale Community College honored its exceptional students at the annual Honors Graduation Symposium. This special event served as a mini-graduation for the Honors students, where certificates and cords were awarded to those who achieved academic excellence through rigorous coursework and symposium presentations.

The ceremony began with Political Science Professor and Honors Advisor Jonathan Moschberger extending warm acknowledgments of esteemed administrators and faculty members who served as mentors and advisors. Professor Angela Saragusa from the English department, who also advises the Phi Theta Kappa chapter at Brookdale, was acknowledged for her dedication to fostering leadership and academic excellence among students.

Associate Professor of Mathematics and the Assistant Coordinator of Honors, Anna Teodorescu, expressed her excitement and appreciation for the opportunity to work with the Honors students and her colleague, Professor Moschberger. Her heartfelt words highlighted the immense effort and dedication to organizing the symposium and supporting the students.

The Honors students who gave impressive presentations, showcasing their dedication and intellectual curiosity, included Ashley Carrasco, who presented “Calculating the Solar Irradiance from a Sun to Planets” under the guidance of computer science instructor Kevin Squires. Ty’Jiana Johnson discussed “For and Against Euthanasia: An Ethical Perspective,” advised by Professor of Philosophy Darlene Macomber. Brilliza Jimenez shared her research on “The Universal Impact of Mental Health” with guidance from Professor of Psychology Sara Burrill. Ashleigh Kennedy explored “The Ethics of True Crime” under the mentorship of Professor Jonathan Moschberger.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of the honors certificates and cords. Students who completed 15 credits with a symposium presentation received full honors cords, while those who completed at least nine credits of honors coursework received certificates of recognition. The following students were celebrated for their outstanding achievements:

Maksym Berezovsky
Diosnairi Bonilla
Ashley Carrasco
Brianna Mary Dudley
Ty´Jiana Johnson
Ashleigh M. Kennedy
Nicole E. Ketch
Naomi Long
Enya D. Madurawala
Brilliza Jimenez Ramirez
Gianella Rios
Derin Serbetci

The ceremony concluded with an inspiring message from Professor Moschberger, who reminded the graduates to cherish each new day as a precious gift and to continue shining brightly in their future endeavors. Their journey at Brookdale has been characterized by hard work, perseverance, and a commitment to excellence, making this day a memorable milestone in their academic careers. The event highlighted the collective efforts of students, faculty, and staff in fostering a supportive and enriching educational environment at Brookdale Community College.