The BCC Honors Program celebrated the achievements of students during the 2026 year-end Honors Celebration, recognizing academic excellence, leadership, and perseverance across disciplines. 

Hosted by Honors Program coordinators Alicia Bralove Ramírez, professor of World Languages and Cultures, and Elizabeth Hardman, professor of History, the ceremony honored students who completed Honors Courses and Honors Contracts throughout the academic year. Graduating students received gold cords, while graduating Honors Program Scholars were presented with medals in recognition of their accomplishments. 

Faculty, staff, family members, and friends gathered to applaud students whose work reflected deep intellectual curiosity, community engagement, and academic ambition. Speakers throughout the ceremony highlighted the Honors Program’s growth and the extraordinary dedication shown by students balancing coursework with work, family responsibilities, leadership roles, and personal challenges. 

BCC President Dr. Larry D. Johnson, Jr. congratulated the students for embracing “deeper inquiry, higher expectations, and a willingness to stretch intellectually,” while Associate Dean for Curriculum Matters and Academic Programs Alex Ott praised Honors students for consistently choosing to “do more than what is required.” 

Student speakers shared inspiring personal stories of transformation through their experiences in the Honors Program. 

“Coming from a village called Toubacouta in Senegal and growing up in the French education system, nothing was ever handed to me,” said student attendee Mouhamadou Senghor. “When I arrived at BCC, I quickly understood that belonging is not something you wait to feel – it is something you earn. The Honors Program taught me to keep pushing forward with perseverance, no matter the difficulty.” 

The celebration also recognized faculty mentors whose guidance and encouragement continue to shape the Honors Program and support student success both at BCC and beyond.