Hayward L. Bell is a corporate executive who works in Waltham, Mass., but his heart has never let go of his South Philadelphia roots or Community College of Philadelphia, the place that set him on a path to success.

 Bell, who earned an Associate in Applied Science in Accounting from the College in 1973, is Chief Diversity Officer for Raytheon, a global technology and defense company with 63,000 employees.

 After making an initial $125,000 gift last year, he endowed an annual scholarship at the College that provides one student each year with up to $5,000 for tuition and fees. In addition, he personally mentors each of the recipients. According to the National Mentoring Partnership, mentoring can positively impact academic achievement, workforce development and juvenile justice outcomes.

“Community College of Philadelphia at the time was the place that gave me the foundation for my success, so I consider Community College part of my roots,” said Bell, whose donation is among the largest the College has received from an alumnus. “Community College of Philadelphia has always been a great institution and it has continued to progress and continued to support a critical need in our community.”

Students’ needs often extend beyond tuition dollars. Bell believes the time he invests mentoring scholars is equally important. “I had multiple people who mentored me throughout my career, in different stages of my career,” he said. “And I learned different things from different mentors. One of the things I learned from mentoring is how important it is to share what you know with other people.”

Bell’s generosity has made life a bit easier for Dante Mullings, a Nursing student who won the first Bell Scholarship in 2013 and works while taking classes. Mullings is the youngest of five siblings and one of the first in his family to graduate high school and enter college. “It’s been a big deal for me,” Mullings said. “He (Mr. Bell) sat down and talked with me. He’s given me feedback. He’s written letters of recommendation for me. This has definitely had an impact on me.”

Since its founding in 1964 and its opening on September 23, 1965, Community College of Philadelphia has served more than 685,000 individuals. Graduates have risen to leadership ranks in business, government and education, with some serving on the College’s faculty today.

Over the next 12 months, the College will profile a number of distinguished alumni who are Moving Philadelphia Forward, and making a difference through their careers, community service or philanthropic efforts. Richard S. Downs, a member of the first graduating class in 1967 and a retired business executive, and Fire Commissioner Derrick Sawyer; are among those whose stories will be shared.

“Mr. Bell is a businessman who understands that education is a passport to the region’s smart, well-educated and growing workforce,” said Dr. Donald Generals, college president, who announced this month that Bell has committed to give the College an additional $60,000 for scholarships, bringing his total donation to nearly $200,000. “The College is uniquely positioned to advance the social and economic interests of this great city—and nation. It is a source of tremendous pride that Mr. Bell and so many other alumni are working to move this city, and its creative and talented people, forward.”

After earning his associate degree, Bell received a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University and an MBA from Lehigh University. To learn more about Bell’s remarkable journey, visit the College’s 50th Anniversary website.

Thirty-two entrepreneurs, the largest class ever for 10,000 Small Businesses—Greater Philadelphia, celebrated the completion of the program August 22 at a graduation ceremony in the Center for Business and Industry.

In alphabetical order, the graduates are:

Cassandra Bailey, president and CEO of Slice Communications; Donahue Bailey, president and CEO of Atrium International, Inc.; Liz Bello, manager and co-owner of Mercer Café; Luis Berrios, president of Locating Utility Infrastructure Services, LLC; William Capers, president and CEO of Pitter Patter Learning Center, LLC; Ken Carter, president and chief operating officer of Supra Office Solutions, Inc.; Bob Christian, president of University City Review, Inc.; Anita Conner, owner of Anita T. Conner & Associates, PC; Daniel Culp, chief operating officer of Pride Klean; C. Katherine DeStefano, CEO of New Horizons Counseling Services, Inc.; John Fleming, managing member of Fleming Consulting, LLC; Jossi Fritz-Mauer, co-executive director of the Energy Co-Op; Kevin Gatto, president of Verde Salon Inc.; Farelen Gonzalez, facility director of Casa de Consejeria y Salud Integral Inc.; Raymond Jones, CEO of We See You, LLC; Patrick Kelly, owner and president of Stein Your Florist, Co.; Srini Lokula, president of Ram Tech Systems, Inc.; Andrew Magnus, president of BTC Envelopes and Printing, LLC; Kariema Milligan, president of Milligan Group LLC; Chris Molieri, co-owner of Greenstreet Coffee Roasters; Colin O’Neil, vice president of Bookbinder Specialties, LLC; Katie O’Neill, co-owner and creative director of Mushmina; David Rose, president of Brio Solutions; Scott Seltzer, president of ConnectMe; April Slobodrian, president of Northeast Construction, Inc.; Michael Smith, president of Round 2 Lighting, LLC; Blane Stoddart, president and CEO of BFW Group, LLC; Zach Stone, chief strategy officer of Red Kite Consulting, Inc.; Andy Truong, president and CEO of Greendog Recycling Inc.; Jean Wang, president of Quantum, Inc.; Yvette Watts, general manager of Watts Window Cleaning & Janitorial Co., Inc.; Theresa Williams, administrator of Around the Clock Home Health Care Services.

 Firefighters risk their lives to save life and property, and prevent tragedies from striking families in Philadelphia, which has the fifth largest fire and emergency services department in the country.

That responsibility rests with Derrick Sawyer, a 2004 graduate of the Fire Science program who stepped into the job of Philadelphia Fire Commissioner on June 14.

“Community College of Philadelphia helped me to re-engage in higher education after being out of school for 20 years. The Fire Science program helped me sharpen my firefighting skills while improving my study habits, which helped me with promotional exams,” Sawyer said.

His preparation for the job was 29 years in the making. Since entering the 2,300-member fire department in 1985, Sawyer, of Northeast Philadelphia, has acquired experience as a first-responder in an urban environment where safety planning requires critical training and analytical decision making. He credits the College with providing him essential skills along the way.

Sawyer earned an Associate in Applied Science after completing the Fire Science program. The curriculum includes courses on fire prevention strategy and tactics, pre-fire planning and code enforcement, risk management, and other standard protocols and skills for fire and public safety professionals. After graduating with honor, Sawyer transferred to Holy Family University where he received a bachelor's degree in Public Safety Administration. He also graduated from the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer Program and The Carl Holmes Executive Development Institute. He holds certifications as a fire officer, fire instructor and fire inspector, and is pursuing a graduate degree in homeland security from the Naval Postgraduate School.

n taking the Fire Department’s top post, Sawyer said he would continue fire prevention efforts aimed to keep residents safe.

“My unique experiences and skill set will allow me to help develop strong partnerships which will help spread the fire and life safety message. I believe that fire is everyone’s fight and with the whole community working together, we will reach our goal of zero fire fatalities,” Sawyer said.

Alongside Sawyer’s appointment, which Mayor Michael Nutter announced June 4, were promotions that included the first female deputy commissioner and the first Latino executive chief. “Going forward, I think it is important to leaders to give them an opportunity to grow and I think that diversity helps us reach new heights,” Sawyer said.

Seated around a table with Mayor Michael Nutter and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan listening intently, Community College of Philadelphia students spoke from the heart.

They, along with a number of other Philadelphia students, shared stories of their struggles and victories with the men and offered recommendations on ways to empower their peers.

On July 11, the College hosted Secretary Duncan’s roundtable convened by President Barack Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper initiative, a new effort to help young men of color reach their potential and address persistent opportunity gaps.

Jason Mays, 30, president of the Student Government Association and the 2014 Student Leader of the Year, shared that he dropped out of high school as a youth because he didn’t like the school. Later, after he enlisted in the U.S. Army, Mays found several mentors who persuaded him to focus on getting an education. "They had expectations for me," said Mays, who graduated from the College in May with an associate’s degree in Business Administration.

The event was attended by more than 60 observers, including the College’s president, Dr. Generals; Philadelphia School District superintendent, Dr. Hite; Director of the College’s Center for Male Engagement, Derrick Coleman; and former Commonwealth Judge Doris Smith-Ribner, an advisory board member of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans.

The young men at the table represented neighborhoods from across the city. In addition to Mays, Quaris Carter, another May graduate; Jose Quintero, Aneury Rodriguez and Nicholas Gross, participated from the College.

Discussion topics included:

• The importance of mentorship.
• The need for mentors to affirm positive behaviors during difficult transitions.
• The relationship between academic achievement, workforce preparedness and trauma.
• Greater financial support for institutions that support young people.
• The need to promote the practical importance of a post-secondary degree, credential or certificate.
• The need for out-of-school activities and opportunities to learn and develop.

Secretary Duncan highlighted the need for the U.S. Department of Education to do a better job of disseminating information about federal and other resources to help with college costs.

The My Brother’s Keeper Initiative will hold another discussion during the fourth 2014 Summit on Educational Excellence for African Americans at the University of Pennsylvania, October 17 and 18.

Dr. Donald Generals, the sixth president of Community College of Philadelphia, began his tenure on July 1.

"These are challenging yet exciting times for the community colleges of America,” Dr. Generals said in a message to the College family. "As such, we are uniquely positioned to advance the social and economic interests of this great city — and nation. I look forward to working with you as we build on the rich tradition of the Community College of Philadelphia.”

Dr. Generals, 58, formerly served as Vice President for Academic Affairs at Mercer County Community College in West Windsor, N.J. An educator and seasoned researcher, he is an expert on the roots of the progressive education movement in America. This concept is advanced by leading educators who believe schools must be effective agencies of a democratic society. In 2013, he authored a book titled, Booker T. Washington: The Architect of Progressive Education.

Over the years, Dr. Generals has been drawn to the democratic mission of community colleges. He noted that the College’s approaching 50th Anniversary celebration comes on the heels of the recent commemoration of the Civil Rights Act. The College was created May 14, 1964 and opened its doors to 1,200 students in September 1965.

"It reminds us all of the close relationship between access, educational achievement and the pursuit of the American dream," Dr. Generals said. "The community college concept is unique to the world. It has the potential for expanding educational and workforce access while simultaneously bolstering our national economy."

Dr. Generals has been active in numerous professional and service organizations, including: the New Jersey Academic Affairs Affinity Group, as chair; the National Alliance of Community and Technical Colleges, as a Board member since 2010; the College Board, Middle States Regional Council; and the Paterson Board of Education as a former Commissioner.

 There were lights, cameras, as well as a memorable call to action during Community College of Philadelphia’s 48^th Annual Commencement where Jotaka Eaddy, Senior Director for Voting Rights and Senior Advisor to the President and CEO of the NAACP in Washington DC, encouraged students to follow their north star to success.

More than 1,100 of the Class of 2014's 2,376 candidates for graduation attended the May 3 ceremony at the Liacouras Center, bringing along throngs of elated family and friends. The Class of 2012, with 1,823 graduates, previously was the largest class.

This year's Commencement theme, "Lights, Cameras, and Action", served as a reminder of the graduates' higher purpose, a theme woven into the fabric of college life, through leadership training, community service activities and academic classes. Eaddy's address encouraged graduates to stay connected to others as their journey continues.

"Each of us is on a great journey or path of life. That journey teaches us all things, reminds us of all things. These paths, I believe, are all connected," said Eaddy who turned an early interest in civic engagement into a fascinating career, where she travels the world to champion human rights issues. "Keep your eye on your north star. On your journey, you may fall — and we all fall sometimes. What's important is that you get back up. Always remember that you are powerful — no matter where you started, no matter where you're from."

Before starting her speech, Eaddy took a selfie with the graduates standing in the background. The image was posted to the College's Twitter account and on Instagram. All that social activity generated a buzz, as the hashtag began trending in Philadelphia during the event.

Interim President Judith Gay, Ph.D., urged students to use knowledge for the greater good. "The skills and wisdom you have acquired, what you have discovered about yourself, and the progress you have made will continue to serve you throughout your life," she said. "These experiences are yours to build upon, to improve upon, and to help inspire others. Equipped with new directions, goals and dreams, you are ready for the road ahead. You will demonstrate the strength of Community College of Philadelphia graduates and your contributions will help the city flourish."

Student speaker Erika Lawrence, who will transfer to Temple University this fall, echoed the theme of public service. She said community service activities gave her new confidence and led to amazing opportunities, such as an invitation to join Temple University President Neil D. Theobald, Ph.D., at a breakfast. An honor student, Lawrence will continue her studies in global marketing.

"We hold a meaningful degree that can now open many doors. Our possibilities have now become limitless," she said. "Let's walk into the possibilities the world has in store for us."

Six College employees, 16 international students, and 81 veterans were among this year’s class. The College awarded a total of 2,510 degrees and certificates. During the ceremony, Dr. Gay announced that Associate Professor Richard Frei, Ph.D., was the winner of the 2014 Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award, established by the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation. As the honoree, Dr. Frei will deliver a celebrated lecture during the 2014-2015 academic year.

U.S. Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-PA) started his career teaching fifth grade at the Gesu School in North Philadelphia and coaching basketball.

His desire to serve the public eventually led him to the U.S. Senate, where he has been guided by the wisdom of his late father, Pennsylvania Gov. Robert P. Casey, who believed that “all public service is a trust, given in faith and accepted in honor.”

On April 25, Sen. Casey will be recognized for his ongoing efforts to help improve communities as he becomes the sixth recipient of the Judge Edward R. Becker Citizenship Award. The presentation will be made during a 9 a.m. breakfast in the Center for Business and Industry, Room C2-5, 18^th and Callowhill streets (entrance on 18^th near the corner of Callowhill).

Joining him in the room will be members of the Becker family, prominent attorneys and legal scholars, and students and faculty from across the College who have benefited from Sen. Casey’s efforts to increase dollars for early childhood education and financial aid, combat hunger and protect the troops overseas. They will be available to share their personal stories with the news media.

The prestigious citizenship award is named for the Honorable Edward R. Becker (1933-2006), a judge who was as comfortable in the presence of Supreme Court Justices as he was with hourly wage workers. A Philadelphia native, Judge Becker was a brilliant scholar and a highly respected jurist. He served on the Third Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals from 1981 to 2006, using his extensive gifts to uphold the highest standards of the law while maintaining a down-to-earth humility and common touch.

“He cared deeply about making the world a better place and recognizing the humanity in the stranger and the stranger in ourselves,” said Charles Becker, Esq., Judge Becker’s son. The Becker Award honors those who dedicate their lives to public service.

Sen. Casey could have begun his career in a comfortable office but instead he volunteered at the Gesu School in North Philadelphia, where he lived at 23^rd and Girard Avenue with the other staff. Since then, he has continued to be a hands-on leader as he has worked, as a U.S. Senator, to champion funding for early learning programs, support record increases in federal financial aid and protect U.S. troops by leading efforts to stop the flow of ammonium nitrate, a key component in IEDs that have killed or wounded thousands of soldiers and civilians.

Previous Becker Award recipients include former Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell (2011); Third Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Marjorie O. Rendell (2010); Co-Founder, President and Executive Director of Project HOME, Sister Mary Scullion (2009); former U.S. Secretary of Transportation William T. Coleman, Jr., Esq. (2008); and U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (2007).

Community College of Philadelphia and Temple University are connected in many ways, and the Delaware Valley and its regional businesses reap the dividends of this relationship, according to Temple University President Neil D. Theobald, Ph.D.

“We work together to provide this region with its greatest asset, which is human capital,” he said. “We are the main customer-receiver of each other’s students. There are nearly 2,000 former Community College of Philadelphia students enrolled at Temple.”

Temple University has long been the top transfer destination for the College’s students. In fact, about one in 19 Temple students formerly attended the College. One in seven college grads in Philadelphia is a Temple graduate.

Some Temple students also transfer to Community College of Philadelphia to earn credits or earn new credentials. In a 2006 report, 38 percent of Community College of Philadelphia students enrolled in a career program said they were reverse transfers and Temple was the institution they were most likely to have attended. “In short, Community College of Philadelphia is invaluable for Temple University,” Dr. Theobald told the audience.

The College’s diverse student population adds to the Temple University experience, he said. “They provide something really different at Temple. They tend to be more experienced. They bring their work history, their insights, their experience to our classroom discussions,” Dr. Theobald said. “(They)… really provide a nice mix for us that enhances the experience for everyone.”

Dr. Theobald also highlighted other shared goals and common interests as he spoke to College staff and regional business leaders on April 8 at the launch breakfast for the Spring 2014 edition of Pathways, the magazine of Community College of Philadelphia. Seated at his table throughout the breakfast was Erika Lawrence, the College’s 2014 student Commencement speaker who plans to transfer to Temple’s Fox School of Business.

Temple and Community College of Philadelphia both play a large role in educating and preparing the workers that area educational institutions and hospitals need, he said, adding that the region’s future, in large part, lies in the strength of its “eds and meds.”

His remarks took a serious turn as he touched on the problem of growing student loan debt. “We have got to do something that addresses this issue of affordability in higher education and keeps costs low,” Dr. Theobald said.

Community College of Philadelphia’s clearly-defined paths to possibilities help many students transferring to Temple to reduce those costs. “That’s where the transfer agreement with the College is a big help because it lowers the cost of a bachelor’s degree, he said.

In the Pathways article about Dr. Theobald, he addresses the importance of a liberal arts education to the world economy, Temple’s role and responsibility in moving the city forward, and the need to reduce student debt. Other articles examine the unique learning environment of the honors program; the College’s new psychology degree that prepares students to become counselors, educators and researchers in addition to psychologists, and a host of other career options.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), on campus to promote economic security and opportunity for women, took a moment on Feb. 7 to praise community colleges for providing a path to better opportunities.

Women now hold the majority of bachelor’s degrees and advanced degrees nationwide, putting them in a position to drive our 21st century economy. Sixty-three percent of the students at Community College of Philadelphia are female.

"Community colleges are the bridge," she said. "They are the path that takes people from where they are, to where they want to be," Pelosi said. "With everything that we do, education is essential. That’s why it’s so important that we’re here at the College."

Pelosi, the first woman to serve Speaker of the House of Representatives, is currently the House Minority Leader. She spoke during the invitation-only "When Women Succeed, America Succeeds" event, which advocated for a higher minimum wage, access to child care for working mothers, and other policy issues that strengthen women and families.

PathWays PA, and The Coalition for Healthy Families and Workplaces sponsored the event.

U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-PA) and U.S. Rep. Donna Edwards (D-MD) joined Pelosi on a panel alongside three area women who discussed the difficulties faced by those in low-paying jobs. They spoke to a packed room in the Klein Cube of the Pavilion Building.

Onetha McKnight, who works as a wheelchair attendant at Philadelphia International Airport, said she earns $5.75 an hour plus tips. She uses a co-worker’s asthma inhaler because she can’t afford to buy her own. McKnight said she is among 2,000 workers employed by a subcontractor to provide passenger services at the airport.

"I wish I could say my situation was unique at the airport, but it’s not. Most of my co-workers at the airport are women struggling to get by on poverty wages. Thankfully, legislators like Nancy Pelosi are listening," McKnight said.

Democratic congressmen have a put forth a proposal to raise the minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 per hour and peg it to inflation. "Over 60 percent of people who make minimum wage are women over age 30," Pelosi said.

State Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown (D-Philadelphia) and State Rep. James R. Roebuck, Jr. (D-Philadelphia) were among the dignitaries in attendance. Rep. Roebuck also serves as vice chair of the College’s Board of Trustees.

The College’s spring 2014 Professional Development activities focused on strengthening the culture for students with unique or complex learning needs.

During the opening session on Jan. 6, Bill Welsh, executive director for the Office of Disability Services at Rutgers University, delivered the keynote, "Creating an Environment that is Usable by All".

The presentation included a brief tutorial demonstrating how to use Microsoft Word tools to create documents that are easily accessible to those with special learning needs. Afterward, Welsh led a workshop for the President’s Cabinet on “Best Practices for Accessible Technology and Information.”

Jocelyn E. Sirkis, director of Professional Development, coordinated the Professional Development event and others that took place that week.

“What we know is that when we make our courses and our processes accessible to people with disabilities, we also typically make them better for all users,” Sirkis said.

In panel discussions and workshops, students, faculty and staff discussed the challenges of living with disabilities and offered the tools and strategies for making the learning environment more accessible. Workshop titles included “More than Life without Sound: ASL (American Sign Language),” “Being Deaf and a World of Visual Adaptation” and “Get to Know Us: A Person- first Panel.”