Last Friday, the State University of New York and Manhattan Educational Opportunity Center (MEOC) held its 2009 Commencement Ceremony at BMCC in Theatre I. MEOC graduates take classes in Harlem and BMCC administers the program and the graduation.
More than 300 graduates were in attendance, surrounded by cheering family and friends.
What is MEOC?
Students enrolled in MEOC take vocational or college prep courses; and are working towards a GED or already have their GED and working towards their diploma. Established in 1966 by the State University of New York (SUNY) as the Urban Center in Manhattan, MEOC is the result of an act of the New York State Legislature.
In 1973, the six Urban Centers in the statewide Urban Center Program merged with the Cooperative College Centers to form Educational Opportunity Centers (EOC). The Urban Center in Manhattan became the Manhattan Educational Opportunity Center (MEOC) and is dedicated to providing services to inner-city residents. SUNY funds the ECOS across New York State, and each EOC is affiliated with an institute of higher education.
BMCC is responsible for MEOC’s administrative control and ultimately responsible for its performance.
MEOC has provided training for skilled and semi-skilled occupations as well as college foundation courses and placement services for all enrolled students and potential students.
Based in Harlem, where students take their classes, MEOC offers degree programs in Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Microsoft Office Specialist, GED Prep, College Prep, Academic Prep, English as a Second Language (ESL), PC Repair and Security Officer Training. Everyone who enters MEOC must take a placement test.
SVP Bragg Taught at an EOC Center
“We in Albany are delighted to share this most important day with you,” said Tanya Brown, an assistant director for MEOC, to the audience in an opening statement.
MEOC’s Assistant Provost William Chalmers told the students, “You have put in the hard work and now you will reap the harvest of that labor.”
BMCC’s Sadie Bragg, Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs, told the students she spent 12 years at the EOC as a mathematics teacher. “I’ve since seen it grow into a bigger, very effective program,” she said. “If you want to go further and get an associate degree, please know BMCC is your home as well. BMCC is part of your life as well.”
Famed Photographer Delivers Speech
Rodney Alexander is the Executive Director of MEOC. Before introducing the commencement guest speaker, award-winning photographer Chester Higgins, Alexander said, “Those of you who sit before me are success stories. Your dream of a better life carried you through all this.”
When introducing Higgins, Alexander called him, “a significant artist of our time.”
Chester Higgins, Jr. has been a staff photographer for The New York Times, and his photographs have also appeared in The Village Voice, Ebony, Black Enterprise, Newsweek and many other publications. He has created dignified photographs of African American culture since the late 50’s and attended Tuskegee University. Also an author, he’s published many photo collections and has written a memoir.
Higgins showed the audience a slideshow of some photographs he took in East Africa, such as a 45-story high pyramid and a sphinx.
He told the audience that while attending college, he felt a little lost about what he wanted to study, and focused on photography on the advice of his uncle. “My great uncle said whatever you do, make a mark on life,” said Higgins. “So, that’s your challenge—leave your mark on life. Make a contribution.”
Elaborating on that, Higgins said that by taking photographs of landmarks and many places he’s traveled to, he was making his ‘mark,’ through his artwork that future generations can appreciate and also enjoy.
The Salutatorian Speaks
Unfortunately, due to illness, the MEOC Valedictorian Neye Lo was unable to give a speech on stage, however, Salutatorian Barbara Valcarcel presented a powerful, heartfelt speech.
“I’m happy, excited and proud,” said Valcarcel to her peers. “It’s a thrilling jolt to be addressing you.”
Valcarcel is an example of an MEOC success story. She went from suffering from a depressing and not finishing high school to working in a shelter for victim of domestic violence. She also said at MEOC, she obtained “straight A’s—except in Trigonometry.”
About her achievements, Valcarcel said, “I am grateful for the hardships, because they have helped me be a stronger woman.”
Administrators of MEOC Proud and Dedicated
After certificates were awarded to high-achieving students and distinguished alumni, the MEOC graduates took the stage to receive their diplomas.
Alexander said that the MEOC staff is committed to excellence, when it comes to educating students.
“I thought that commencement went well. The students were excited and engaged,” said Alexander, adding that guest speaker Higgins, “expanded their visual horizons.”
For more info about MEOC, visit http://www.man.eoc.suny.edu/index.htm
