Local
Norwalk Community college graduation is May 22
By Norwalk Community College
May 16, 2008 - 11:22:39 AM

The 46th annual Norwalk Community College Commencement is slated for 4:30 p.m., May 22 in the East Campus rear parking lot, located at 188 Richards Ave. There are 681 candidates for graduation this year. The graduation ceremony will be held rain or shine in an outdoor tent.

Line-up for the Academic Procession will take place in the second and third floors of the East Campus building.

This year’s NCC student speaker will be Mary Craig. Norwalk Community College has a tradition of featuring its own students as the graduation speakers, rather than celebrities and notable guests.

Marc Herzog, Chancellor of the Connecticut Community Colleges, will present the Board of Trustees Merit Award to Ann Mandel of Darien. Barbara Drotman, Dean of Institutional Advancement, will present the Distinguished Alumnus Award to actor/musician Guy Fortt and the Distinguished Service Award to E. Phillip McKain, President and CEO of CTE Inc

NCC President David Levinson Ph.D. will present an Honorary Associate degree to renowned jazz musician/composer Horace Silver, a former Norwalk resident who, in the 1950’s, helped define the classic jazz style now known as hard bop which combined elements of rhythm and blues, gospel and jazz. Due to illness, Mr. Silver’s award will be accepted by NCC student Don Burr, whose father was a musician who played with Horace Silver.

Honoree Background
Board of Trustees Merit Award: Ann S. Mandel
Ann Safford Mandel is a philanthropist and civic leader who has helped raise millions of dollars for the NCC Endowment. She was the first woman to serve as First Selectwoman of Darien. Mrs. Mandel has been called the “spirit and soul of NCC.” During her tenure as President of the NCC Foundation Board of Directors from 2005 to 2007, she spearheaded the Campaign for Norwalk Community College, a capital campaign to build the future NCC Health and Science Center.

Distinguished Service Award: Philip McKain
Philip McKain makes the American dream possible for many local citizens, among them NCC students. He is President and CEO of CTE Inc., a federally funded anti-poverty agency for the Greater Stamford area. Mr. McKain is a prominent civic leader whose values are closely aligned with the mission of Norwalk Community College. NCC partners with CTE to provide early college readiness and English as a Second Language courses to many striving individuals.

Honorary Associate Degree: Horace Silver
Horace Silver, a native of Norwalk, is a world renowned jazz musician and composer who in the 1950s helped define the classic jazz style now known as hard bop, which combined elements of rhythm and blues, gospel and jazz. Mr. Silva is a member of the Downbeat Hall of Fame and has been a major force in the evolution of jazz in America. He is 80 years old and lives in California.

Distinguished Alumnus Award: Guy Fortt
Guy Fortt (Class of 1995) is an accomplished actor, singer, model and recording artist. He has performed on television in episodes of “Law and Order: SVU” and “The Sopranos.” Mr. Fortt also has starred on Broadway in Oprah Winfrey’s production of the musical “The Color Purple.” He has appeared in movies with major stars including Nicole Kidman, Sean Penn, Samuel L. Jackson and Will Smith.

The Commencement Ceremony begins promptly at 4:30 p.m. and ends at approximately 6:00 p.m. A reception for graduates and their guests will follow.

A list of the graduation candidates by town and a transcript of the graduation speeches will be available to the press by May 21st.

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