LINCROFT – “Did you ever think this day would come? I certainly had my doubts and I’m sure the doctor who diagnosed me never dreamed I would ever be capable of earning an associate’s degree, let alone have the ability to speak before you today.” These are the words of Emily Brush, a Brookdale Community College graduate with cerebral palsy from Freehold, whose journey to her associate degree in arts and liberal education began in 2006.
Nine years later, Brush saw her dream of graduating college come to life at Brookdale’s 45th annual commencement ceremony at the Lincroft campus on Friday, May 15 where she gave a moving commencement speech to families, faculty and her fellow graduates. Her 10-minute speech was delivered by a computerized voice. Due to her disability, Brush was only able to handle one course per semester, but she did not let that stop her from achieving her goal of earning an associate degree from Brookdale and becoming a part-time teacher’s assistant, she said.
“Despite my predicament, my parents, teachers and therapists never allowed me to adopt a ‘no can do’ attitude,” said Brush. When she was inducted into the National Honor Society as a junior in Colts Neck High School, her parents insisted she earn the honor with 30 hours of community service each year, just like everyone else. “I was not allowed to use my disability as an excuse for not trying or doing something.” Her community service project was to use software to create language boards, to help non-verbal children and adults communicate. Her coursework at Brookdale, especially in digital media and writing, have helped her pursue this skill as a career path. She works as a part-time job as a teacher’s assistant at Hawkswood School for multiply handicapped children in Eatontown.
Brush was only one of a number of graduate speakers at the commencement ceremony where the school celebrated the Class of 2015. Over 2,000 students graduated with associate degrees in arts and science, among other subjects.
“I cannot tell you how much we value your hard work and all of your achievements as Brookdale students,” Brookdale President Maureen Murphy said as she addressed the graduates. “As you move on to the next phase of your journey, please stay in touch. We want to know what you are doing and we want to celebrate your continued success.”
Also honored at the ceremony were commencement speakers David Prown, who spoke about youth programs, and David Goldman, who founded a parental child abduction foundation. Prown, of Red Bank, has developed a number of local mentorship programs and advocated for the graduates to give back to their communities in similar ways.
“During your journey to get here today, you have had many supporters,” Prown said. “Now it’s time for you to repay that support, with your support of others.”
Goldman, of Holmdel, is the cofounder and director of the Bring Sean Home Foundation, which grew out of his struggle to bring home his son Sean, after they boy was abducted by his mother and taken to Brazil in 2004. Since Sean was reunited with his father on Christmas Eve 2009, Goldman and the foundation have become advocates for victims of parental child abduction.
Brookdale also presented Distinguished Alumni awards to New Jersey Supreme Court Judge Teresa Kondrup Coyle and Brookdale women’s soccer coach Katelyn Miller.
Graduates Nicholas Antonucci of Jackson, Amber Mallm of Freehold, Alexander McKenzie of Freehold, Patricia Encina of Howell, Nicholas Sakowski of Aberdeen and Adam Winkler of Manasquan were recognized for their outstanding academic achievements during the ceremony.
–By Joey Dominguez
