Montgomery College to Virtually Celebrate Over 3,000 Graduates Friday

The pre-show airs at 9:30 a.m. with the commencement program beginning at 10 a.m.

Montgomery College will honor the class of 2021 with a virtual celebration this Friday, May 21, beginning at 10 a.m. with a pre-show kicking off the festivities at 9:30 a.m. The event will include remarks by Montgomery College President DeRionne Pollard, Board of Trustees Chair, The Honorable Michael Knapp, and the College’s four Board of Trustees scholars. The graduates will also be treated to special messages of congratulations from county and state elected officials.

There are over 3,000 graduates this spring, having earned approximately 3,500 degrees. There are also 125 graduates from the Early College and Dual Enrollment programs, earning their associate degrees and their high MCPS diplomas this spring.

Commencement Ceremony Highlights Include: 

• Get to know the scholars: Dr. Pollard interviews all four BOT scholars as part of the commencement program;
• “Countdown to Commencement” hosted by MC alum and MCTV personality Carolina Galeano starts at 9:30 a.m.;
• Graduates will be greeted with video messages from select faculty and staff;
• Montgomery College performing arts student Susan Windiarini Rodgers performs the national anthem;
• MC alumnus Cameron Lafond ’17 is performing “I Can See Clearly Now.”

Watch and Follow Live via MC Facebook or YouTube: 

Facebook Livestream
YouTube Livestream

Follow us on social media at #MCGrad2021

Alternate viewing in Montgomery County, Maryland: 
Cable channel 10 (Comcast, RCN & Verizon)
Comcast channel 998 (HD)
RCN 1059

Visit the 2021 Montgomery College Commencement page:
https://www.montgomerycollege.edu/commencement

Board of Trustees Scholar Awards

The 2021 Board of Trustees Scholar Award is bestowed upon Mr. Andy Geovanni Flores, Germantown Campus; Ms. Cindy Tran, Rockville Campus; and Mr. Artashes Sahakyan, Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus; and the 2021 Apprenticeship Trustee Scholar Award is bestowed upon Ms. Arcadia Janessa Graham, Workforce Development and Continuing Education, by The Honorable Mr. Knapp.

To be considered for nomination as a Board of Trustees Scholar, students must be eligible for spring commencement by having earned an associate’s degree or by having in progress final requirements for an associate’s degree; must have taken at least 25 of the required credit hours at Montgomery College; and must have maintained a cumulative grade point average of 4.0 on all courses at the College. Board of Trustees Scholars receive a cash award to be applied to future tuition or educational purposes of their choice.

Apprenticeship Scholar

Ms. Arcadia Janessa Graham is completing a two-year technical training program as an automotive technician. She is graduating with a 4.0 grade point average. She is enrolled in the Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association (WANADA) instruction program. She is employed by Fitzgerald Hyundai Subaru in Gaithersburg. At the dealership, she has learned tips and tricks of the trade from her foreman and other well-experienced mechanics. Growing up in Poolesville, Maryland, she worked on cars with her dad. She has been very active in many volunteer efforts at Seneca Community Church. She was in a terrible car accident last year, in which her best friend and soul mate was killed. She works hard to make him proud. With the scholarship money, she will go to other trade schools to learn how to paint cars and high-performance vehicles. She would like to work as a NASCAR pit crew mechanic someday.

Germantown Campus Scholar

Mr. Andy Geovanni Flores, a general studies STEM major and member of Phi Theta Kappa, graduated with a 4.0 grade point average. A 2018 Watkins Mill High School graduate, he is a first-generation college student. Although his parents instilled a tireless work ethic in him, they could not prepare him for the rigors of higher education. He credits Professors Janis Gallagher and Sara Kalifa with helping him persevere and thrive as a student. He is grateful to Montgomery College for making him a better version of himself. Now a full-time student at the University of Maryland’s School of Nursing at Shady Grove, he is the recipient of a Conway Scholarship covering tuition, fees, and books. He would like to pursue a career as a pediatric oncology nurse, helping young patients overcome adversity and live full, happy lives. He would like to thank his lifelong friends, the “Tubby Boys,” for their support.

Rockville Campus Scholar

Ms. Cindy Tran, a general studies STEM major, is graduating with a 4.0 grade point average. Born and raised in Montgomery County, she began her postsecondary education as a member of the Montgomery Scholars Honors Program. In this program, she conducted an independent research study on the effects of childhood adversity on lifelong health outcomes. From her extensive research, she understands many health disparities are linked to factors such as lack of education, hunger, and personal trauma. She founded and served as president of the Yoga Club, which provided a sanctuary for students to be vulnerable and receive support. After graduation, she will pursue a degree in public health science at the University of Maryland. Her ultimate career aspiration is to become a physician assistant who truly connects with her patients to empower them and provide them with a better understanding of their health. She hopes to practice medicine holistically and make health care more accessible to disadvantaged populations.

Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus Scholar

Mr. Artashes Sahakyan, a general studies (humanities, art, communication, and language) major, is graduating with a 4.0 grade point average. He was born and raised in Armenia, where he learned French and Russian in school. He taught himself to read and speak English. He moved to the United States in August 2018. He quickly advanced through the ESL program at Montgomery College, worked hard to improve his math skills, and became a Dean’s List student. He is transferring to the University of Maryland to earn a B.A. in psychology. He is especially interested in cultural diversity and understanding the psychology of prejudice and discrimination. His goal is to earn a master’s degree in higher education administration and work to address the problem of prejudice in colleges and universities. He wants to help other minority students reach their goals.

The Board of Trustees also recognizes three outstanding runner-ups for the 2021 Board of Trustees Scholar Award: Ms. McKenna Michelle Shay, Germantown Campus; Ms. Autumn Tiquan Ellis, Rockville Campus; and Mr. Nathan Adisu Engida, Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus. Each runner-up will receive a cash award to be applied to future tuition or educational purposes. 

Presidential Scholar Awardees

The 2021 Presidential Scholar Award is bestowed upon Mr. Osbert Imokhuede Omage, Germantown Campus; Ms. Alaa Maged Sharaf, Rockville Campus; Ms. Madison Alexandria Oswald, Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus; and the 2021 Presidential Apprenticeship Scholar Award is bestowed upon Mr. Gabriel Benavides.

Students nominated for the Presidential Scholar Award must exhibit evidence of outstanding scholarship in the form of a 3.5 grade point average or above at the time of nomination. The nominee must also show evidence of outstanding leadership in the College and/or in the community, evidence of outstanding service to the College and/or in the community, and matriculation in a curriculum and completion of at least 28 semester hours of credit earned at Montgomery College. The scholars will receive cash awards to be applied to future tuition or educational purposes of their choice.