Cassandra Levine, 30, valedictorian of the Class of 2005, had previously earned a B.S. degree in liberal arts & sciences from CCSU, and was working in a job she “was totally bored with” when she decided to attend Tunxis and pursue an A.S. degree in a business subject area that, as she said, would be “marketable.”
“I always loved college—meeting classmates and teachers who are interested in the same things I am, and learning new things and the way that makes me feel,” said Levine, of Canton. When her son came along, she juggled her full-time studies with caring for him and working part-time jobs as a bookkeeper and accounts receivable clerk.
In her 2005 Commencement remarks, Levine thanked the faculty for making her educational journey memorable, for showing enthusiasm for the subjects they taught, and for taking a real interest in the lives of their students.
“My special thanks go to my advisor, Dave Lardie, (professor of accounting); Nancy Grassilli, (professor of marketing); Mike Aldi, (part-time lecturer in business, and director of institutional advancement, who passed away in 3/06); and Gerry Arens, (professor emeritus of business/business law, who passed away in 9/04),” said Levine. “For two, four, six years or longer, this campus has been a second home for many of us, and our teachers were like a family.”
With her ’05 A.S. degree in accounting from Tunxis, Levine plans to continue with her education. She plans to get a master’s degree in accounting or sit for the CPA exam.
“Whatever the future holds for me, I know higher education will always be a part of it. I hope the same holds true for you,” said Levine. “The quest for knowledge is what keeps us going and growing.”