Meehan urges MWCC grads to stay humble.

• Author: Barnes, George
• Position: Local

Byline: George Barnes

GARDNER -- A first-generation college graduate, UMass-Lowell Chancellor Martin T. Meehan told graduates Wednesday at Mount Wachusett Community College's 49th commencement that through their challenges they learned how to be great people.

At ceremonies in the college's Fitness and Wellness Center, 786 students graduated, earning 857 degrees.

Mr. Meehan, a former seven-term congressman, recalled the challenges of earning his own degree and urged the Mount Wachusett graduates to continue to work hard to achieve their futures.

"There is nothing you can't accomplish if you set your minds to it,'' he said.

Mr. Meehan recognized 2014 graduate Kathy Matson as an example of what can be accomplished with determination and willingness to volunteer her limited free time to various organizations.

"Kathy embodies everything I love about Mount Wachusett students,'' he said.

Mrs. Matson, earned her second degree from the college -- the first coming in 1985. She graduates this year with her son Zechariah, a fire science major. Her son Isaac was a 2012 graduate of the college and also head of the college's student government. A third son, Caleb, is a criminal justice major.

In closing, Mr. Meehan advised the graduates to be great listeners, commit themselves to lifelong learning, never compromise their integrity, understand that money will never make them happy and remember where they came from.

"Be humble,'' he said.

The college's Alumnus of the Year award went to Chevenee Reavis, a 2000 graduate of the college who is the director of strategic initiatives for global nonprofit Water.org.

Ms. Reavis told graduates it was not a direct route for her to get where she is today.

"It's been a long journey for me,'' she said.

Ms. Reavis said it took her six jobs, in 18 countries on five continents to get where she is now, working to bring drinkable water to people who do not have it.

"I didn't have this all mapped out,'' she said. "I didn't know what I wanted to be when I grew up and I still don't.''

Ms. Reavis said Water.org, which was founded by actor Matt Damon and businessman Gary White, offers something very basic for people.

"We're not waiting for a cure. We're waiting for a breakthrough. We know the cure. It is engineering clean water,'' she said.

Ms. Reavis noted that 750 million people have to make a choice of whether to go thirsty or give their child a drink from something they know will make them sick.

"It's really heavy stuff, but I am so grateful to be part of it,'' she said.

AREA GRADUATES

Ashburnham: Associate: Lindsey R Berube, Cassandra L Bingham, Marcus M Chamberlain, Kristi L Darcy, Shayna M Deslauriers, Jamie L Girouard, Amanda L Gorrell, Noelle M Hyde, Caitlin R King, Erin B Leamy, James M Rigopoulos, Krista S Shell, Nicole L Vallee

Certificate: Mia M Caligaris, Caitlin R King, Joseph G Peters, Shelbi Poulin

Ashby: Associate: Michael J Hebert, Tiana L Lielasus, Christina E Murphy, Seth W Pease, Chrystal A Pepple, April R Tammone

Certificate: Christina M Leonard

Athol: Associate: Kira J Adams, Kaleigh A Aldrich, Eric G Allen, Heather M Brooks, Benjamin I Buckland, Cady L Coleman, Elizabeth Cross, Carly E Cullen, Joshua P Curtin, Susan P G Denis, John W Desrosiers, Whitney Fox, Jessica L Gauthier, Gregory M Goldman, Ashley M Guyer, Mary D Hachey, Constance V Helstowski, Lisa A Hood, James M Hughes, Nicole E Irons, Christopher Jimenez, Patricia L Johnson, Kendra M Kilian, Peter D King, Cristie M Lajoie, Brandy L Lefsyk, Kayleigh L Manjourea, Isabella S Mertzic, Shawn M Morandi, LLoyd M Moulton, Theodore W Mulder, Christina Pelletier, Maggie M Perez, Michelle L Poirier, Melanie J Rajaniemi, Moises C Ramos, Jennifer E Robichaud, Samantha L Skinner, Leahanna Watson, Diana D Wheeler, Kimberly E Williams, Malisa J Younger

Certificate: David A Acevedo, Eric G Allen, Michael J Babineau, Roberta L Bachelder, Sara E Burch, Emily O Burdick, Wayne J Grimes, Mary D Hachey...