Valedictory and Honorees

Valedictorian: Lauren Wood

While studying at Bristol Community College, Lauren Jeanne Wood, of Seekonk, maintained a 4.0 GPA while gaining valuable experience as an intern with the college’s marketing and communications department and serving as a member of the prestigious Phi Theta Kappa National Honors Society. She credits her family, as well as the college’s faculty and staff, for their encouragement and unwavering support while earning her degree.

Lauren is currently earning her bachelor's degree in arts in communication at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, with the goal of pursuing a career in the marketing and communications field.

Her advice to students is to “keep on, keeping on” towards your dreams and to take full advantage of the many resources and support services available to students.

Salutatorian: Autumn Ayers

Autumn Ayers, of Swansea, enrolled at Bristol Community College as a human services major before discovering her true passion for psychology. With guidance from the college’s dedicated faculty members, she switched majors to pursue her new goals.

In addition to excelling academically at Bristol, Autumn engaged with her community by developing a technology workshop for senior citizens in partnership with the Fall River Council on Aging. The project was a component of her participation in the college’s Experiential Education Showcase.

Autumn is currently continuing her education at Bridgewater State University, where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree and exploring career opportunities in clinical psychology and healthcare.

Distinguished Citizen: Thomas M. Quinn III

The Distinguished Citizen Award is presented annually to an outstanding local citizen whose character and achievements have enriched the life of the community, or to an individual who has made distinguished contributions in the fields of health, education, business, industry, labor, government or the arts.

This year, the 2025 Distinguished Citizen Award is presented to Thomas M. Quinn III.

Thomas M. Quinn III is the District Attorney of Bristol County. Tom has more than 25 years of prosecutorial experience, including eight years as Bristol County’s First Assistant District Attorney. Tom was appointed District Attorney in 2015 and has been reelected three times. 

Born in New Bedford and raised in Dartmouth, Tom graduated from Dartmouth High School in 1978 before receiving a bachelor’s degree from Holy Cross and a law degree from Suffolk Law School. He supports his community on the Holy Name Parish Finance Council and previously served as a youth mentor at Nativity Preparatory School. 

As District Attorney, he has established himself as a leading advocate against elder abuse and domestic violence, and in support of youth crime prevention. With a strong focus on prevention, he has been outspoken in promoting mentoring for at-risk youth and regularly visits schools to discuss the dangers young people face. District Attorney Quinn continues to be strongly committed to the investigation and prosecution of crimes against children and keeping dangerous criminals off the streets. 

Tom lives with his wife, Sharon, in Fall River. They have three adult children.

Honorary Degree: Karyn E. Polito

The Massachusetts Department of Higher Education has granted Bristol Community College the right to award honorary associate degrees in humane letters. The college awards these degrees to individuals who illustrate, through a career of intellect and service, the best of Bristol Community College’s vision – to change the world, learner by learner.

This year’s 2025 honorary degree recipient is Karyn E. Polito

Karyn E. Polito served as the 72nd Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts alongside Governor Charlie Baker and served as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and in municipal government. As a lawyer, she managed her family’s real estate development and commercial leasing business where she presides as owner and operator today.

Currently, Ms. Polito serves within the Executive Office at UMass Memorial Health as Vice President of Business Development. She is also an independent director on public and private corporate boards and is a member of the nonprofit UMass Memorial Health Ventures Board. 

Ms. Polito enjoys mentoring students at the Harvard Kennedy School Rappaport Institute and Working 4 Worcester, a student-led nonprofit. She is also a member of the Council for Women of Boston College. Ms. Polito is a mom to two college-aged students and has been married for 28 years to her husband Steve Rodolakis.

Last Lecture

The Last Lecture is a faculty honor created by the Bristol Community College Student Senate. The award honors one exemplary faculty member who has affected students’ education and their lives in significant ways.

Patricia Schryver, MSN, RN, Associate Professor of Nursing at Bristol Community College was selected by students to deliver the Last Lecture at Bristol’s 2025 Commencement Ceremony.

Grand Marshal

Rhonda Magnuski has been honored to serve as the Grand Marshal at Bristol’s 2025 Commencement Ceremony. Continuing Bristol's tradition of awarding this honor to one of the college's longest-serving faculty or staff members, Magnuski will lead this year’s graduates to the commencement stage.