Join Bristol Community College for the annual Bristol Awards, an event created to honor the efforts of an outstanding and inspiring group of alumni. The Bristol Awards event will be held on Thursday, April 20, 2023, with a gathering from 6 to 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner and awards from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., in the Commonwealth College Center (G Building), on the Bristol Fall River Campus, 777 Elsbree Street.
The cost is $50 per person to attend. Please RSVP and register by April 6, 2023, by calling 774.357.2007 or by visiting www.bristolcc.edu/alumni.
Please send checks payable to:
Bristol Community College Foundation
777 Elsbree Street, D109
Fall River, MA 02720
The Paragon Award is the most distinguished award given to a graduate of Bristol Community College. Inspiring alumni will also be honored in the events’ annual categories, including the Black or African American Alumnus, Maury Kusinitz Volunteer of the Year and the Alumni Service Awards.
2023 Bristol Paragon Award Recipient: Paul E. Coogan ‘74, of Fall River, Mass.
Fall River Mayor Paul E. Coogan earned his associate degree in 1974 from Bristol Community College and received his Bachelor of Science in 1976 from Southeastern Massachusetts University (now UMass Dartmouth). Paul later earned a Master of Science in 1996 from California College for Health Sciences.
Paul worked in the Fall River Public Schools for more than 30 years in a variety of roles, such as a teacher, program director and vice-principal. From 2016 to 2017, he was a SMILES Mentor Recruiter at People Incorporated.
From 2016 to 2019, Paul proudly served as an elected official on the Fall River School Committee. Before that, he served as Chairman of the Greater Fall River Regional Vocational School Committee. Paul was elected Mayor of Fall River in 2019.
Blending his personal passion for running and fitness with a commitment to community, Paul has volunteered as race director for the Westport Long Run, Fall River 5k and Girls that Rock 5k. He has completed seven Boston Marathons and enjoys spending time with his wife, Judi.
2023 Black or African American Alumna Award: Chelsie Stephenson ’15, of Fall River, Mass.
2023 Maury Kusinitz Volunteer of the Year Award: Bristol Community College Mobile Food Market Volunteer Group.
2023 Alumni Service Awards:
Clifford Clement ’74, of Somerset, Mass.
Maiza M. Silva ’06, of Fall River, Mass.
Shellise Jackson ’16, ’18, of Fall River, Mass.
For more information about the Bristol Community College Foundation’s Bristol Awards, please visit www.bristolcc.edu/alumni.