April 23
For the 2nd year in a row, Commencement will be virtual at NSCC
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker will be the Commencement keynote speaker at North Shore Community College’s 55th
Commencement, the second virtual NSCC graduation ceremony held since the pandemic
began.
Governor Charlie Baker was sworn in for a second term as the 72nd Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on January 3, 2019. A little over a year later he found himself leading the Commonwealth through the global Covid-19 pandemic. His skillful management of all aspects of the disease placed Massachusetts at the forefront of fighting the spread of Covid in the United States.
The college expects to bestow approximately 800 associate degrees and certificates at the virtual graduation. The pre-recorded Commencement Ceremony will be broadcast via YouTube on Saturday, May 22, at 3 p.m. and will feature every eligible graduate, including a quote, picture or video from those wishing to share such.
As a way of making things a bit more special for the graduates, NSCC will hold a Drive-Thru Grad Celebration on Saturday, May 22, 2021 from 11am-1pm. Graduates will be invited to drive through the Danvers Campus and will be cheered on by celebrators stationed throughout the campus - outdoors and socially distanced with additional protocols (i.e. masking). Each graduate will receive a graduation gift box that will be placed in their vehicles.
Derek L. Brennan, of Danvers, will be the 2021 Student Commencement Speaker. A U.S. Army Veteran
who served an 18-month tour in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Brennan’s transition
to civilian life was difficult as he suffered from PTSD, alcoholism and self-imposed
isolation. With the help of AA, he got his life back on track and enrolled at NSCC.
He became quite involved in NSCC’s Student Veterans Center, eventually becoming president
of the Student Veterans Club. Brennan has now earned associate degrees in both business
and horticulture at NSCC and will continue his studies at UMass Amherst, working toward
a bachelor’s degree in sustainable food and farming.
Davina Yannetty, from East Boston, will be this year’s Commencement soloist and will perform the National Anthem a capella. Yannetty
began teaching herself to play piano at age five and continued learning to play a
host of other instruments. She discovered she had a talent for singing and has been
performing professionally since age 17, all over the US, Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean.
A business administration transfer student, she hopes to eventually become a CPA.
“While it is bittersweet that our graduates, who have worked so hard and persisted
in this most challenging year, cannot fully celebrate their accomplishments by walking
across a stage in front of family and friends, I appreciate the efforts that our staff
have made in creatively trying to produce a meaningful experience that they will remember,”
said Interim President Nate Bryant. “I know I look forward to being at the drive- thru to help celebrate their success!”
Please keep checking back to our Commencement page for the most up-to-date information.