Quincy Sun // Published May 16, 2019 // By Quincy Sun Staff

Quincy College announces Quincy Rep and House Majority Leader Ronald Mariano will be 2019 Commencement Speaker at the college’s May 24th Commencement Ceremony celebrating over 550 graduates at the South Shore Music Circus in Cohasset.

” A life-long resident of Quincy, Representative Mariano has been a dedicated supporter of Quincy College throughout his career. As a member of the Quincy School Committee, he helped oversee the college and continued to do so as a founding member of the Quincy College Board of Governors. Active in the Quincy and South Shore communities, Mariano is an educator, coach, mentor and advocate. It is my pleasure to welcome him as 2019 Commencement Speaker. We look forward to his words of inspiration and wisdom at the Quincy College Commencement Ceremony on May 24th,” Quincy College President, Michael G. Bellotti.

Graduating from Northeastern University in 1969 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Mariano received his Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Massachusetts Boston in 1972. After graduation, Mariano taught elementary school history in the Quincy public schools for twelve years.

Mariano served as a member of the Quincy School Committee for eighteen years. He is a former member of the Norfolk County Advisory Board, Chairman of the Ward 2 Democratic Committee, Co-Chair of the Baird and McGuire Taskforce, and formerly served on the Quincy College Board of Governors. He currently chairs the MWRA Legislative Caucus.

“ I have watched Quincy College grow from being a 2 year extension of Quincy High School, into the development of Quincy Junior College, and to its current iteration as Quincy College. In the 61 years it has existed, it has become a respected, outstanding educational institution on the South Shore that allows students of all ages a low-cost opportunity to actualize their educational and professional futures. It is my pleasure to address the class of 2019. I look forward to being inspired by them and seeing even more excellent Quincy College alumni enter the workforce and continue their education pursuing advanced degrees,” House of Representatives Majority Leader Mariano stated.

Ronald Mariano was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in a special election in December, 1991. He represents the 3rd Norfolk District, which is comprised of Quincy (Ward 2 and Precinct 5 of Ward 4); Weymouth (Precincts 5, 6, 9, 12, 16); and Holbrook (Precincts 2, 3, 4).

Throughout his career, Representative Mariano has been a driving force behind financial services matters and health care reform efforts. From 2001 to 2009 Mariano served as the House Chairman of the Joint Committee on Financial Services (previously the Joint Committee on Insurance), where he was a key architect of the Commonwealth’s landmark health care reform of 2006 and principal proponent of transitioning the state’s auto insurance market to managed competition in 2008. Mariano was appointed Majority Leader in 2011 by Speaker Robert A. DeLeo.

Mariano has been a lifelong basketball fan and coached Quincy Youth Basketball for many years. He is the founder and former coordinator of the President’s Youth Basketball Association and a member of the Quincy Public Schools Athletic Contribution Committee. Mariano enjoys travel, reading, and music. Mariano is married to Eve Powell.

Quincy College Class of 2019 graduates will also hear from Student Commencement Speaker, Cleunisse Tamara DeBrito who will be graduating with an Associate of Liberal Arts Degree with a concentration in Psychology and an Associate Degree in Science with a concentration in Natural Science. Ms. DeBrito is of Cape Verdean descent and an active member of the Gamma Beta Phi Society. Dr. Servet M. Yatin, MBA, PhD, Quincy College Professor of Chemistry/Sciences will be the Commencement Ceremony Mace Bearer.

For more information about Quincy College’s Commencement Ceremony, visit quincycollege.edu/graduation.