Adult students mark an ending … and a beginning
Brookdale's Adult Basic Education students graduate
BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer
With praise from their instructors and friends and families looking on with pride, more than 200 students marked the completion of Brookdale Community College's Adult Basic Education (ABE) program last week.

PHOTOS BY DANIEL HOWLEY Left: Kevin Dohorty (white jacket) stands with other graduates during Brookdale's Adult Basic Education graduation held at the Long Branch Portuguese Center on June 23. Above: Brookdale President Dr. Peter Burnham presents Maria Diogo with a certificate of graduation.

The graduates of the ABE program's English as a Second Language (ESL) and General Education Development (GED) classes were recognized for their achievements on June 23 at the Long Branch Portuguese Center on Broadway.

Serving between 600 and 700 students each year, the ABE program provides ABE, GED and ESL classes to Monmouth County residents free of charge.

Offered for some 25 years, the ABE program attracts an extremely diverse group of students from a wide cross-section of the global community, ABE Director Carl De- Jura explained at the graduation ceremony.

"It's very diverse; in fact, as far as the ESL program is concerned … last year we had 33 countries and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico represented," he said.

According to DeJura, many of the ESL students participate in the classes to increase their understanding of the English language so that they can find better job opportunities or communicate with their children's teachers.

Graduation requirements for the ABE, GED and ESL classes vary, with ABE and GED students taking a final exam similar to a basic knowledge assessment and ESL students tested on their literacy and ability to speak and understand English.

According to DeJura, completing the ESL program can take as long as several years for students who have no prior experience speaking English.

Kevin Dohorty, one of the GED students, spoke on behalf of his fellow graduates, describing his own compelling story that led him to continue his education.

Formerly employed in the graphic arts field, Dohorty explained that he had never finished high school because at the age of 12, he entered the workforce where he remained until he was laid off.

"Everything was going great until my company experienced a significant decline in revenue," Dohorty explained. "In the end it had to close its doors.

"I wanted to continue working so I applied to several other jobs but could not close the deal on any," Dohorty said. "As my options narrowed, I set my sights lower.

"I applied to Delta Airlines to be considered for the position of baggage handler," he recalled.

"Requirements: the ability to lift 70 pounds and work in all weather conditions, and, oh yes, 'must possess a high school diploma or equivalent.'

"I knew I was in big trouble when I received the rejection letter citing my 'insufficient education background,'" Dohorty said. "It was excruciatingly embarrassing and extremely difficult."

To improve his chances of finding employment, Dohorty said he enrolled in GED classes at Brookdale where he found a variety of individual circumstances that led people to the program.

"Some of us experienced difficulty in the job market while others came from countries where education had to be exchanged for a job to help feed the family," Dohorty said, adding that despite their differences, his classmates came together to support each other.

"The group dynamic is extremely supportive," Dohorty explained. "It's almost like a family where success for one is success for all."

Monmouth County Freeholder Director Barbara McMorrow was the opening speaker and told graduates, "This is an evening of endings.

"It's the conclusion of your educational program. But just as certainly it is a beginning," McMorrow said. "Because now you must continue to work hard to improve your skills to continue learning."

McMorrow, who has 33 years of experience working as an educator and high school principal, said she understood first hand the importance of an education.

Joined by fellow freeholders, Deputy Director John D'Amico and Freeholder Amy Mallet, McMorrow praised the graduates, saying that by seeking to continue their education, they honored their community and themselves.

"There is nothing more important than having an education. That is something that no one can take away from you," McMorrow said. "When you leave here tonight with your certificates, remember that you have achieved something quite remarkable."

Once students have graduated from the ABE, GED or ESL programs, DeJura said they are encouraged to continue to move forward with their education, a point commencement speaker Dr. James Sultan emphasized in his talk.

Sultan, executive vice president of administration, operations and information technology at Brookdale, extolled the benefits of an education saying that it is through a good educational system that a society is able to better itself and its people.

"When we think about any of the problems that we as a society confront, poverty, unemployment, always in the end we turn to education as the way out," Sultan said, adding that in a time of global turmoil, educated individuals will prove to be the hope for tomorrow.

"Intelligent, resourceful, imaginative people are the most precious resource for the times ahead," Sultan said.

Sultan reminded the graduates that their success was indelibly linked to the support their family, friends and teachers had shown them throughout their individual education paths.

"Success is almost never an individual achievement," Sultan said.

Brookdale President Dr. Peter Burnham heaped praise on the graduates.

"It's hard to overemphasize what an extraordinary moment it is for me as the president of your community college to look out among all of you graduates and see the faces of satisfaction, accomplishment and joy," Burnham said.

"But also to look out among all of you and see a reflection of not only our community, but our nation and also our world society," Burnham said.

"Many have come through a long, long journey. I know each of your personal histories for many of you has involved a journey that some of us could not even imagine.

"It has brought you here to Long Branch, it has brought you here to Broookdale Community College, to this center that has given you the opportunity to fulfill a dream and a vision, that under whatever circumstances it began, you tonight have fulfilled that dream and vision.

"You have become so very special because of your commitment personally to improving yourselves but also enriching our community," Burnham added.

Staff Writer Kenny Walter contributed to this story

Contact Daniel Howley at dhowley@

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