WELLESLEY HILLS, Mass. (May 27, 2021) — MassBay Community College honored the Class of 2021 at the College’s 59th Commencement Exercises on Thursday, May 27, 2021. The virtual ceremony celebrated the achievements of 568 graduates. The College offered special honors to nine diverse and talented student scholars who earned a 4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA), 11 students who earned the highest GPA in their academic divisions, 28 students who earned the highest GPA in their academic program, the MassBay McKenzie Leadership Award winner, and the 29 Who Shine awardee.
MassBay honored nine graduates who earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average with All-College Academic Awards, the highest academic honor the College bestows. The awards were present to the following students:
Joshua Dover of North Attleboro, MA, Associate in Science Degree in General Studies
Samuel Hernandez of Brighton, MA, Associate in Science Degree in Computer Science
Gwendolyn Humphreys of Concord, MA, Associate in Arts Degree in Liberal Arts: English
Robert Alexander Lakher of Wellesley Hills, MA, Associate in Science Degree in General Business: Hospitality Management
Elaina Anne Martin of Southborough, MA, Associate in Arts Degree in Liberal Arts: Elementary Education
Lauren Ashley Morris of Waltham, MA, Associate in Arts Degree in Liberal Arts: Elementary Education
Dmitry Nekrasov of Newton, MA, Associate in Science Degree in General Business
Darragh O’Halloran of Westwood, MA, Associate in Science Degree in Computer Science
Katherine Welpman of Brighton, MA, Associate in Science Degree in General Studies
Joshua Dover of North Attleboro, MA earned an All-College Academic Award for his 4.0 GPA, the Division Award for the highest GPA in the academic division of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), as well as the Program Award for the highest GPA in his academic program. Dover followed in his father and grandfather’s footsteps, becoming a paratrooper for the United States Army. His military career includes four deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan as an airborne infantryman fighting on the frontlines; a transition to the National Guard, providing training for deploying units at the Joint Readiness Training Center in Louisiana; and an overseas tour in Italy. Dover made Dean’s List every semester at MassBay and was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society for two-year college students. Dover earned his Associate in Science Degree in General Studies, and he will transfer to Brown University in Providence, RI, to pursue his bachelor’s degree.
Samuel Hernandez of Brighton, MA, earned an All-College Academic Award for his 4.0 GPA, the Division Award for the highest GPA in the academic division of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), as well as the Program Award for the highest GPA in his academic program. Hernandez was born and raised in Mexico, but moved to the United States in 2019 to study at MassBay and earn a college degree. Hernandez currently owns several businesses in Mexico including car and construction businesses, which he operates remotely. As a full-time student, Hernandez also participated in the MassBay STEM Mentor Program, was a peer tutor for calculus, programming, engineering, physics, and Spanish, and was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. Hernandez earned his Associate in Science Degree in Computer Science and intends to transfer to Northeastern University in Boston, MA, to pursue his bachelor’s degree in computer science.
Gwendolyn Humphreys of Concord, MA, earned an All-College Academic Award for her 4.0 GPA, the Division Award for the highest GPA in the academic division of Humanities and Social Sciences, as well as the Program Award for the highest GPA in the Liberal Arts: English Program. Following high school, Humphreys attended Bryn Mawr College in Bryn Mawr, PA, for several years, but left to focus on her health. She came to MassBay for the convenient location and thought she might just take a few classes to transfer, She ultimately stayed to earn her associate degree. Humphreys notes, “I am so proud of myself for this accomplishment. I graduated high school 11 years ago, so this means a lot.” Humphreys, who started at MassBay in January 2020, was a full-time student dedicated to her studies and studied almost entirely online because of the pandemic. While at MassBay she was a staff member on MassBay’s Literary Magazine, lumiere, made the Dean’s List every semester, and was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. Humphreys earned her Associate in Arts Degree in Liberal Arts: English. Her future goals include transferring to the University of Massachusetts Boston to pursue a bachelor’s degree, as well as a master’s degree to become a cantor.
Robert Alexander Lakher of Wellesley Hills, MA, earned an All-College Academic Award for his 4.0 GPA, the Division Award for the highest GPA in the academic division of Business and Professional Studies, as well as the Program Award for the highest GPA in his academic program. Lakher earned his bachelor’s degree from Mass College of Pharmacy, but decided to change careers and enroll in hospitality classes at MassBay. While working full-time, Lakher was also a full-time student, who enjoyed his classes online. Lakher credits his professors at MassBay, “I feel like every professor genuinely cared about my success. They not only cared about me as a student, but as a person.” Lakher earned his Associate in Science Degree in General Business: Hospitality Management. His future goals include becoming a general manager of a hotel in a tropical climate.
Elaina Anne Martin of Southborough, MA, earned an All-College Academic Award for her 4.0 GPA, the Division Award for the highest GPA in the academic division of Business and Professional Studies, as well as the Program Award for the highest GPA in her academic program. Martin came to MassBay after receiving her GED diploma. She made Dean’s List every semester and was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. She credits her parents and family, “for being incredibly supportive of me throughout my time at MassBay.” Martin earned her Associate in Arts Degree in Liberal Arts: Elementary Education. She is transferring to Smith College in Northampton, MA to pursue a bachelor’s degree, with her future goal of working as a social worker or adjustment counselor in a school setting.
Lauren Ashley Morris of Waltham, MA, earned an All-College Academic Award for her 4.0 GPA, the Division Award for the highest GPA in the academic division of Business and Professional Studies, as well as the Program Award for the highest GPA in her academic program. Morris was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society and was selected as one of the two Phi Theta Kappa All-Massachusetts Academic Team members. Morris earned her Associate in Arts Degree in Liberal Arts: Elementary Education from MassBay and transferred to Lesley University in January 2021, where she is currently studying Expressive Arts Therapy. Her future goals include earning her master’s degree and working in a classroom or counseling practice to help cultivate kind, empathetic, independent, and courageous children who have healthy relationships with their peers, their world, and themselves.
Dmitry Nekrasov of Newton, MA, earned an All-College Academic Award for his 4.0 GPA, the Division Award for the highest GPA in the academic division of Business and Professional Studies, as well as the Program Award for the highest GPA in his academic program. Nekrasov earned his Associate in Science Degree in General Business.
Darragh O’Halloran of Westwood, MA, earned an All-College Academic Award for his 4.0 GPA, the Division Award for the highest GPA in the academic division of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, as well as the Program Award for the highest GPA in his academic program. O’Halloran earned his Associate in Science Degree in Computer Science.
Katherine Welpman of Brighton, MA, earned an All-College Academic Award for her 4.0 GPA, the Division Award for the highest GPA in the academic division of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, as well as the Program Award for the highest GPA in her academic program. Welpman earned her Associate in Science Degree in General Studies.
MassBay awarded 11 Divisional Awards to the graduates with the highest GPA in each of the five academic divisions. Those awardees include:
Automotive Technology Divisional Award
Joseph Vera of Worcester, MA, with a 3.728 GPA, earning his Associate in Science Degree in Automotive Technology: BMW
Business and Professional Studies Divisional Award
Robert Alexander Lakher of Wellesley Hills, MA, with a 4.0 GPA, earning his Associate in Science Degree in General Business: Hospitality Management
Elaina Anne Martin of Southborough, MA, with a 4.0 GPA, earning her Associate in Arts Degree in Liberal Arts: Elementary Education
Lauren Ashley Morris of Waltham, MA, with a 4.0 GPA, earning her Associate in Arts Degree in Liberal Arts: Elementary Education
Dmitry Nekrasov of Newton, MA, with a 4.0 GPA, earning his Associate in Arts Degree in General Business
Health Sciences Divisional Award
Mimi O’Shea of Westwood, MA, with a 3.794 GPA, earning her Associate in Science Degree in Radiologic Technology
Humanities and Social Sciences Divisional Award
Gwendolyn Humphreys of Concord, MA, with a 4.0 GPA, earning her Associate in Arts Degree in Liberal Arts: English
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Divisional Award
Joshua Dover of North Attleboro, MA, with a 4.0 GPA, earning his Associate in Science Degree in General Studies
Samuel Hernandez of Brighton, MA, with a 4.0 GPA, earning his Associate in Science Degree in Computer Science
Darragh O’Halloran of Westwood, MA, with a 4.0 GPA, earning his Associate in Science Degree in Computer Science
Katherine Welpman of Brighton, MA, with a 4.0 GPA, earning her Associate in Science Degree in General Studies
MassBay also awarded 28 Program Awards to the graduates with the highest GPA in each of College’s academic programs:
Program Award Winner — Accounting
Ruth Waworuntu of Framingham, MA
Program Award Winner — Automotive Technology: BMW
Joseph Edwin Vera of Worcester, MA
Program Award Winner — Automotive Technology: Toyota
Eric Naples of Auburn, MA
Program Award Winner — Business Administration
James Michael Druker of Framingham, MA
Program Award Winners — Computer Science
Darragh O’Halloran of Westwood, MA
Samuel Hernandez of Brighton, MA
Program Award Winner — Criminal Justice
Liam Naughton of West Roxbury, MA
Program Award Winner — Cyber Security
Sadiq Jjuuko of North Billerica, MA
Program Award Winner — Early Childhood Education
Taylor Iarussi of Holliston, MA
Program Award Winner — Electrical & Computer Engineering
Samuel Lyman Porter of Milford, MA
Program Award Winner — Environmental Science and Safety
Thomas Michael Lesinski of East Walpole, MA
Program Award Winner — Associate of Arts General Studies
Wyatt Ehle of Natick, MA
Program Award Winner — Associate of Science General Studies
Katherine Welpman of Brighton, MA
Joshua Dover of North Attleboro, MA
Program Award Winner — General Business
Dmitry Nekrasov of Newton, MA
Program Award Winner — General Business: Hospitality Management
Robert Alexander Lakher of Wellesley Hills, MA
Program Award Winner — International Business
Julio Martin of Framingham, MA
Program Award Winner — Liberal Arts
John Hines of Waltham, MA
Program Award Winner — Liberal Arts: Early Childhood Education
Katlyn Marisela Huete of Ashland, MA
Program Award Winner — Liberal Arts: Elementary Education
Lauren Ashley Morris of Waltham, MA
Elaina Anne Martin of Southborough, MA
Program Award Winner — Liberal Arts: Communication
Ashley Ann Osmecki of Hudson, MA
Program Award Winner — Liberal Arts: English
Gwendolyn Humphreys of Concord, MA
Program Award Winner — Liberal Arts: Human Services
Beatrice Ameateme Muanya of Milford, MA
Program Award Winner — Psychology/Sociology
Olivia Sun of Natick, MA
Program Award Winner — Life Sciences
Jessica Downing of Norwood, MA
Program Award Winner — Paralegal Studies
Chad Mellor of Fall River, MA
Program Award Winner — Radiologic Technology
Mimi O’Shea of Westwood, MA
The MassBay Foundation provides All-College Academic Award winners with $150, Divisional Award winners with $100, and Program Award with $75.
Also recognized was Dinora Torres of Milford, MA, who was awarded the John F. McKenzie Leadership Award and Evan Bogan of Natick, MA, who was recognized as MassBay’s awardee for the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education’s 29 Who Shine Award.
MassBay Community College is the most affordable higher education option in MetroWest Boston, offering a robust portfolio of courses and more than 70 associate degree and certificate programs with flexible day, evening, and weekend classes in Ashland, Framingham, Wellesley Hills, and online. MassBay students receive an unmatched educational value by earning stackable credits that transfer to bachelor’s degree programs, and workforce-ready skills necessary to advance careers in high-demand fields such as health and life sciences, automotive technology, engineering, business, cybersecurity, and the humanities. MassBay’s Associate Degree in Nursing (RN) and Practical Nursing (LPN) programs were both ranked as the #1 Nursing Program in Massachusetts in 2020-2021 by national nursing advocacy organizations RegisteredNursing.org, and PracticalNursing.org. Since its founding in 1961, MassBay has been accredited by several governing bodies and remains firmly committed to its mission of meeting the needs of the diverse local communities it serves. We value the intrinsic worth of all individuals, collectively in pursuit of inclusiveness and prioritize our work towards achieving equity within our community and beyond.