Raritan Valley Community College awarded associate degrees and certificates to more than 640 candidates for graduation at its 42nd annual spring commencement on Saturday, May 14, at the Branchburg campus.
Dr. Shihab Kuran, president and CEO of Petra Solar, delivered the commencement address and received an honorary degree.
Lynne Kowski of Washington (Warren County), an associate professor of mathematics, delivered the faculty address. Ms. Kowski has taught at RVCC for 18 years.
While at RVCC Ms. Kowski has developed courses and participated in a number of grants. Ms. Kowski is pursuing a Ph.D. from the Rutgers University Graduate School of Education. Her daughter Ilanna was among RVCC’s candidates for graduation.
The student commencement speaker was Maria Palar of Somerset. Ms. Palar, mother of a 14-year-old daughter, is a Galileo Scholar at RVCC and has been active with the Phi Theta Kappa international honor society.
Dr. Kuran’s Petra Solar is a New Jersey- technology company that provides solar and smart grid solutions. Petra Solar’s core technology is the SunWave, an utility-grade solar, smart grid solution primarily designed utility distribution and streetlight poles.
Dr. Kuran founded Petra Solar in 2006. With just 15 employees in spring 2009, Petra Solar has experienced over a 10-fold increase in staff within a two-year span.
Members of the Class of 2011 include:
FLAGTOWN
Donielle DiLuzio, AAS – Paralegal Studies; Kyle Fennimore, AA – Liberal Arts; Ivan R. Hahn, Certificate – Digital Video; Peter San Giorgio, AA – Education Transfer (K-12).
HILLSBOROUGH
Joy Anderson, AS – Science and Mathematics; Christopher Beal, AA – Liberal Arts; Kara Becker, AAS Accounting; Akongnwi Binwi, AS – Science and Mathematics; Cheryl G. Bocra, AA – Education Transfer (K-12) and AA – Liberal Arts; Joseph T. Carter, AA – Liberal Arts; Min Chang, AS – Engineering Science; Karlisse Crosdale, AA English; Samantha Della Bovie, AA – Education Transfer (K-12);
Robert H. DiGiorgio, AAS – Law Enforcement; Melissa Egues, AFA – Visual Arts; Christopher Engelke, AS – Business Administration; Jan B. Fay, AS – Business Administration; Julianne Giolli, AA – Education Transfer (K-12); Amanda Grek, AA – Liberal Arts; Rebecca Guiloud, AS – Science and Mathematics; Christine Gwin, AS – Science and Mathematics and AS Biotechnology;
Alexandra Haberin, AS – Science and Mathematics; Allison M. Henning, AAS Nursing; Charles C. Hoffman, AS – Science and Mathematics; Patricia S. Johnson, AAS Accounting; Phillip Jones, AA – Education Transfer (K-12); Christopher Klug, AA – Liberal Arts; Tenagne B. Lakew, AAS Nursing; Jennifer Laplaca, AA – Liberal Arts; Nadine Larson, AAS – Medical Assistant;
Joseph G. Lombardi, AS – Engineering Science; Sara Lukens, AAS Nursing; Matthew R. Madere, AA – Liberal Arts; Jason Makarevic, AA – Liberal Arts; David J. Montagna, AA – Education Transfer (K-12); Peggy S. Mora, AAS Nursing; Ananya Nanduri, AS – Science and Mathematics;
Gregory Nunn, AA – Liberal Arts; Michael Palazzo, AFA – Visual Arts; Ryan C. Perreault, AA – Liberal Arts; Michel Petruzzi, AS – Business Administration; Bryan Reynolds, AAS – Business Management; Gina Robertozzi, Cert Achievement Cosmetology; Ashley E. Ruhl, AS – Science and Mathematics;
Emily M. Russo, AAS Nursing; Helay Samad, Certificate – Medical Coding; Phillip Scaggs, AS – Engineering Science; Veronica Scaggs, AS – Science and Mathematics; Matthew Sczesny, AAS – Law Enforcement; Tanya Serrano, AAS Nursing; Nancy T. Spalluto, AAS Nursing;
Daniel P. Spotto, AAS – Computer Info Systems and Certificate – Database Oracle; Jason Spraggs, AA – Liberal Arts; Jemimah Vergara, AA – Early Childhood Education; Lauren Wadams, AAS Nursing; Li-Ting Wei, AAS Nursing; Karen Wisniewski, Institute for Business and Professional Development; Renee Wright, AA – Liberal Arts; Debbie A. Yeagle, AAS – Health Information Tech; Corey Yoder, AA – Education Transfer (K-12).
NESHANIC STATION
Vincent Panico, AS – Business Administration; Gina Marie Somma, AAS Nursing.

