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Community Corner

Five Things You Need to Know About Norwalk: May 17

Norwalk Community College Commencement, Speaker, Award Recipients, Tree Festival and Cowboy Campfire.

  1. commencement exercises will be held this Thursday, May 19, 2011. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy will address the graduates this year with commencement beginning at 4:30 p.m. Rain or shine, the ceremony will be held under a giant tent in the parking lot of the East Campus. The college has 688 graduates this year. Graduates begin lining up for the academic procession in the second and third floors of the East Campus Building at 3:30 p.m. (In September, NCC turns 50.)
  2. The Board of Trustees Merit Award for NCC will be presented during the commencement to Arthur H. White, a humanitarian and founder of Jobs for the Future, a program in 26 states which analyzes and develops responses to job education, training and retraining needs. He was a co-founder of Yankelovich (formerly Yankelovich, Skelley & White). White also has been involved in organizing a statewide coalition for green jobs workforce development. Through this initiative, he has involved NCC and its wide range of green and sustainable development programs. He's also helped the college work with Stamford Hospital and other health-care providers to teach students about telemedicine.
  3. Chiquita Stephenson will be presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award also during the NCC commencement. Known as a “change agent with a vision”, founder of the Teen Den and Victory Gardens, she has helped youth and the homeless to find support and a solution to life’s problems. She currently serves as Director of Development and Public Relations for NEON in Norwalk and has been a community partner and friend of NCC, advocating for the college at every opportunity.
  4. The fifth annual Norwalk Wilton Tree Festival will be held at on Saturday, May 21 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine. There will be tree related exhibits and activities that will please kids and adults alike.
  5. It's to rainy for a campfire outside so why don't you join Ms. Karen and Chester, the costume trunk, at the from 4 to 5 p.m. Thursday for a and some western style fun? Recommended for preschool and elementary aged students—this event will include riding, singing and playing games western style.
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