Raritan Valley Community College awards degrees and certificates to more than 1,200 graduates
BRANCHBURG TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Somerset County) — Raritan Valley Community College awarded associate degrees and certificates to more than 1,200 graduates during its commencement ceremony May 16 on the college’s soccer field in Branchburg.
The ceremony featured remarks from student commencement speaker Sam Manongsong and faculty commencement speaker Dr. Frank Forte.
Manongsong, of Raritan, graduated with honors as a Business Administration major and Honors College student. He is also a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and participated in the Sanofi Corporate Mentorship Program.
During his time at RVCC, Manongsong served as vice president of marketing for the college’s Business Club, worked on the student newspaper, RVoices, and served as a sports photographer. A first-generation college student, he plans to continue his education at Rutgers University and pursue a career in pharmaceutical supply chain management.
Forte, an associate professor of mathematics, has taught at RVCC for 11 years and recently completed a doctorate in mathematics education from Montclair State University. His research focused on challenges faced by future elementary school teachers when solving nonroutine math problems.
In addition to teaching mathematics courses, Forte serves as faculty liaison to the Honors College and has worked with the college’s concurrent enrollment program.
The ceremony also recognized Esmeralda Ochoa of Flemington, a Communication Studies major graduating with honors.
Ochoa, also a first-generation college student, founded the RVCC Business Club and served as its president while also holding a leadership role with the Activities Board. She participated as an EOF scholar and mentor, earned multiple scholarships and completed more than 100 volunteer hours at the college’s Resource Center and Food Pantry.
At the college’s Student Leadership Awards ceremony, Ochoa received honors including Club of the Year and Club President of the Year for her work with the Business Club. She plans to transfer to Montclair State University to pursue a degree in public relations.
