Boston Scenes 05-21-2015

Tara Montgomery, Chief Marshal

Gov. Baker, Jerez Walton, and Anthony Benoit, BFIT President

Anthony Benoit, BFIT President, with Deanna and Deanisha Williams (twins) of Mattapan.

Zubah Akoi of Dorchester

Gov. Baker’s engaging personality and generosity of time was a big hit with graduates and families. He even found time to squeeze in a selfie with Tara Montgomery, Class of 2011, who served as the Chief Marshal. Gov. Charlie Baker delivered the commencement address at Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology’s (BFIT) 107th commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 16, 2015 at the college, located at 41 Berkeley Street in South End. The Governor was recognized with an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters for his commitment to civic responsibility, access to quality education, and promotion of workforce development. “It’s a privilege to participate in today’s commencement ceremony at the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology and I applaud the graduates and their families as they celebrate their achievements. I’m confident this class will continue to enrich the workforce and additional universities in the technology field and beyond and look forward to hearing more about their successes,” said Gov. Charlie Baker. This was Gov. Baker’s first commencement address since being sworn in as Massachusetts’ 72nd governor on January 8, 2015. BFIT Chair of the Board Ryan Hutchins welcomed the crowd gathered to celebrate the awarding of 180 associate and bachelor’s degrees and certificates. BFIT President Anthony Benoit echoed sentiments from Benjamin Franklin’s “Book of Virtue” and reminded students that, “our education gives you the chance each day to make the right choices in your lives so that together we can meet the challenges facing this city, this commonwealth, this nation, and our planet.” The college evolved directly from Franklin’s bequest of £1000 to “the Inhabitants of the Towne of Boston,” set forth in a codicil to his will dated 1789. Student speaker Damien Leach, a member of the first graduating class from the only Bachelor’s degree in Health IT in Massachusetts, said “BFIT is an innovative college—from our state-of-the-art Automotive Hybrid lab to our nationally recognized opticianry program to our new partnership with Plum Choice—we get hands-on experience that reinforces our academic work.” On May 9, 2015 The Boston Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. held the My Life Matters! Youth Summit on the campus of Wheelock College. The summit was done in collaboration with community partners, Blacks In Government (BIG), Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Community Health Improvement, Mass Promise Fellowship, AmeriCorps and The Massachusetts Black Librarians Network. Chapter members gathered to serve middle and high school students a day of empowerment and inspiration. Youth gathered from all across the Boston Metropolitan area and came from as far as two hours outside of the locale to attend. Participants were given tips on how to select and apply to college, and guidance on how to select careers that match their skill set and areas of interest. Insight was shared on how to boost their social activism and engagement positively. Retired Associate Justice of the Suffolk Juvenile Court gave Judge Leslie E. Harris gave the keynote address. Greetings were shared by Soror Jackie Jenkins Scott, President of Wheelock College. A proclamation from the City of Boston was read by Tito Jackson, a member of the Boston City Council.

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Boston Scenes 05-21-2015

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