Local Author and Humorist To Deliver Commencement Address at MCC

Manchester, Conn., – (May 26, 2009)…Dr. Regina Barreca, author and professor of English Literature and feminist theory at the University of Connecticut, will deliver the keynote address at Manchester Community College’s 45th commencement ceremony. Barreca will also receive the honorary degree of associate in humane letters, honoris causa.

“Dr. Barreca is a serious scholar who has a great sense of humor and I believe we will all be inspired by her remarks,” stated Gena Glickman, president of Manchester Community College. “We are honored that she has agreed to give our keynote address for our 2009 graduating class.”

Barreca received the 1998 Excellence in Teaching Award from the University of Connecticut’s Institute for Teaching. She received a bachelor of arts degree from Dartmouth College, a master of arts degree from Cambridge University – where she was a Reynolds’ Fellow – and a Ph.D. from the City University of New York. Barreca has served as an advisor to the Library of Congress for work on humor and the American character, and was deemed a “feminist humor maven” by Ms. Magazine.

Barreca has edited sixteen books and written eight, which have been translated into Chinese, German, Spanish, Russian, and Japanese. These include the best selling They Used to Call Me Snow White, But I Drifted; Perfect Husbands (and Other Fairy Tales); Babes in Boyland: A Personal History of Coeducation in The Ivy League, and -with Pulitzer-Prize winning Washington Post columnist Gene Weingarten -I’m With Stupid. Her latest book, published by St. Martin’s Press, entitled It’s Not That I’m Bitter has also received rave reviews. Barreca has appeared on scores of radio and television programs, including 20/20, 48 Hours, The Today Show and Oprah.

The Regional Advisory Council’s Community Service Award will be presented to MCC student Marcia Lee Perugini, of Tolland, for her service to the College. Perugini has maintained a 4.0 GPA and has actively participated in numerous campus and community events.

She currently serves as president of the MCC Paralegal Association, as well as vice president of finance for Phi Theta Kappa. Phi Theta Kappa’s mission is to encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students and provide opportunities for individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership, service and fellowship programming. Perugini has participated in numerous volunteer events on campus including Keep the Power On utility assistance program, Blue Angels Christmas program for underprivileged families, fundraising for the Cove Foundation benefit for grieving children, the MCC pond cleanup project and numerous toy and food drives. Perugini earned a citation for outstanding academic achievement from the Connecticut General Assembly at the 2009 College Academic Day, and was named the 2009 All-Connecticut Academic Team as a Coca-Cola Scholar.

Kimberly Massa, of Newington, is the recipient of the President’s Student Award. This award recognizes a student who has demonstrated unusual perseverance in spite of difficulties, obstacles or challenges. Massa found herself heading in the wrong direction and was introduced to drugs at an early age. For seven years, she was in and out of jail. In 2003, she made a decision to turn her life around and she ultimately stopped using drugs. In August 2005, Massa became a student at MCC and since then was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society, held Dean’s list status for six consecutive semesters and made the President’s List. She was also recognized by the Manchester Community College Foundation and received a number of scholarships, and she also found time to give back to her community by volunteering at the South End Senior Center in Hartford before its closing in 2007.

The commencement ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 28 at 5:30 p.m. in the Bicentennial Band Shell at Manchester Community College. In the event of rain, two ceremonies will be held inside the SBM Charitable Foundation Auditorium in the AST building; one at 5:30 p.m. and the other at 7:30 p.m. The decision will be made by 11 a.m. on that day.

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Students of any age who possess the desire to pursue higher education are welcome at Manchester Community College. MCC is proud of its academic excellence, new facilities, flexible schedules, small classes, low tuition and faculty with both academic and “real world” credentials. The College offers over 60 programs, transfer options, financial aid and scholarships, as well as access to baccalaureate degrees through guaranteed admissions programs with several universities. MCC is situated on a park-like campus and is easily accessible from I-84.