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Hundreds Graduate from BCCC

Graduates were told how hard work, honesty, a desire to always keep learning and surrounding yourself with good mentors can make anything possible.

“The world doesn’t owe any of you anything.”

Those were the words Board of Trustees Chairman J. Peter Dominick had for the hundreds of students who Thursday evening.

In addition, Dominick told the students that life is long and the students’ journey is just beginning. Good work ethic, teamwork and leadership are some of the most important skills needed to succeed in the real world, he said.

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Commencement speaker Fred Beans, president of Fred Beans Family of Dealerships, spoke to the new graduates about the challenges they face entering the current job market and how hard work, honesty, a desire to always keep learning and surrounding yourself with good mentors can make anything possible.

Beans told the students how those two factors helped him open a small service station in 1957. Today, he owns 19 dealerships and service centers across the region.

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“Always be a person who keeps your word,” he urged the students, later telling them that a person’s honesty was one of the most important things they had.

The businessman also told students about the importance of giving back.

“As you get further along in your career you can donate your time and money,” said Beans, who is known by the community for his many philanthropic efforts.

Alexandra “Lexy” Bowe, a Newtown resident and business administration major, came to the podium and broke into a rap based on her career as a student the community college.

Just before the rap began, Bowe told the audience she did not want to give a boring speech filled with clichéd quotes from scholars and dead presidents.

Bowe, a member of the Phi Theta Kappa and Kappa Beta Delta honor societies, told students that growing up and attending college was about taking chances. Rapping her speech was her way of trying something new.

“I ask that you not hesitate to try new things,” she said.

The new graduate also told her peers they could accomplish whatever they set their mind to. Adding that they could be the next president of the United States or even the next Snooki.

After the speeches, Fred Beans was awarded an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree by the college’s president, Dr. James J. Linksz.

Toward the end of the commencement ceremony, it was announced that the college’s new 9,000-square-foot Newtown Commons building expansion would be named after Linksz, who is since 1992.

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