COURTESY CAPE COD COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Christina Soltis, center, member of the Cape Cod Community College Class of 2015, poses at the Statehouse with CCCC faculty member Kate Martin and CCCC President John Cox.
BOSTON – One student from each of the 29 community colleges and state universities in Massachusetts were honored at the statehouse yesterday for academic excellence.
Christina Soltis of Yarmouth was chosen as the recipient of the award from Cape Cod Community College.
The students were honored by state officials, including Governor Charlie Baker.
Soltis, a member of the class of 2015 at Cape Cod Community College, was named among the “best of the best” in Massachusetts Higher Education, one of the “29 Who Shine” for 2015.
Cape Cod Community College President John Cox, and faculty member Professor Kate Martin, joined in praising Soltis at the Commonwealth’s annual event that recognizes graduates from each Massachusetts higher education campus.
Governor Baker, education leaders, and legislators, gathered with faculty, students and families at the base of the Grand Staircase at the Massachusetts State House, for the noontime ceremonies.
Soltis was selected from among outstanding CCCC nominees, based on criteria established by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education. Students are required to be residents of Massachusetts who have strong academic profiles and a record of civic engagement.
In honoring the soon-to-be-2015 graduate, Cox expressed the pride of the entire College in both her academic success and community leadership and accomplishment.
“I am very proud to recognize Christina for her tireless efforts to reduce food insecurity in her community by leading operation of our campus food pantry, compiling Thanksgiving food baskets for local families, and being a great mom to her six-year-old son. If that weren’t enough, she also works for the local chapter of the National Association for Mental Illness (NAMI), and has interned at the Duffy Health Center, where she remains a fixture for their fundraising gala. Her academic work mirrors her passion of helping others. It will be my pleasure to see her cross the stage at Commencement on Thursday May 28th, and receive her Associate’s Degree in Human Services, ready to pursue her bachelor’s degree in social work at Bridgewater State University,” stated Cox.
Each of the “29 Who Shine” named a mentor to join them, a faculty or staff member who provided guidance and support throughout the student’s years in college. Soltis selected History Professor Kate Martin, and in doing so noted, “I have been blessed with great professors at CCCC. The first time I met Professor Kate Martin, I felt she really cared. Her dedication to students, push for us to work harder, and her humor, making the tough projects less daunting, continue to inspire me. She is truly special.”
Professor Martin, joined honored mentors at a celebratory luncheon sponsored by the Massachusetts Teachers Association, following the awards ceremony.
During the noontime ceremonies, Baker expressed his personal congratulations to all 29 honorees today, and thanked them for their substantial contributions to each of their local communities.
Richard Freeland, Commissioner of Higher Education, noted that these students are likely to continue to be community builders and resources even after graduation. “We know that nine of every ten public college and university students remain in Massachusetts one year after graduation, working or pursuing further studies,” he stated. “These awards are a reminder that our public higher education graduates truly are the future citizenry and workforce of the Commonwealth.”
Among this year’s honorees are students who have started local companies, created programs to boost student interest in science and technology careers, and aided the homeless. The group of honorees also includes a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, a current member of the Massachusetts National Guard, and students who have devoted thousands of hours to volunteering for organizations ranging from Sociedad Latina in Boston, to the Department of Children and Families office on Cape Cod.
