Quincy College Celebrates Quincy at Winter Commencement
Quincy Marriott Hotel
January 3rd, 2004

Mabel Biagini, a Quincy musical legend, and one of the honorary degree recipients at Quincy College’s Winter Commencement, stole the show as she serenaded the nearly 200 graduates attending the ceremony at Quincy’s Marriott Hotel. As part of her acceptance speech, the lighthearted, impromptu accordion performance highlighted the afternoon of awards, degrees and celebration.

Mabel expressed profound gratitude for her wonderful life and career stating the honor Quincy College bestowed upon her was, "the icing on the cake."

A treasure of the community, Mabel Biagini has been playing the accordion for over fifty years. Born and raised in Quincy, she began playing while in junior high and continued after graduation from Quincy High School. She has entertained audiences throughout Quincy and the surrounding South Shore including a notable performance for the Kennedys. Always active, she is booked for twenty-five shows per month, and for ten years she taught the accordion in South Boston to a new generation of musicians. According to President Barry, through her music and extraordinary showmanship, she has touched the lives of countless people in the community and at over eighty years old, she shows no signs of stopping. She was presented her Associate Degree in Music Arts Honoris Causa with family and friends in attendance.

Joining Mabel in receiving her honorary degree was guest speaker John Buckley, a seasoned educator from the Quincy Public Schools who was surprised when President Sean Barry presented an Honorary Associate Degree in Public Service to Mr. Buckley at the conclusion of his commencement address.

President Barry cited Mr. Buckley’s contributions to the community including his thirty-nine years as an educator with the last thirty-five years at Central Middle School in Quincy. He was also an adjunct instructor at Quincy College for fifteen years. A resident of Quincy, he was recently named “Citizen of the Year” by a civic group and he created an intramural sports group for the children of Quincy. According to President Barry, his volunteerism and service to the people of Quincy made him the ideal candidate to receive this honor.

Nursing graduate Sybil Allen was asked to the podium by Chair of the Board Theresa Lord-Piatelli to offer greetings on behalf of her fellow graduates. Sybil was chosen to address the entire graduating class on Saturday after her inspiring speech delivered the previous evening at the RN Professional Recognition Ceremony. She urged her classmates to not be complacent and to continue moving up the academic ladder. With passion and enthusiasm she insisted that “we can earn our bachelor’s degree, earn our master’s and we can get our doctorates. Quincy College has laid a great foundation for us. Don’t stop here!”

Along with the special guests, nearly 200 graduates of Quincy College received their degrees or certificates during the graduation at the Quincy Marriott Hotel. According to College President Sean L. Barry, “Our graduates, if not already residents, have spent so much time in Quincy it has become their home away from home. Our special guests, who epitomize our neighbors in Quincy, were chosen to inspire our students and show them that people can affect our community in a positive way no matter what their futures may hold.”

As indicated by the cheers of laughter and over 750 guests singing in harmony in the hotel’s main ballroom, the event will leave a lasting impression on the graduates. According to Tom De Santes, Vice President for Enrollment Management, “We try to plan a ceremony that people will remember. The profiles and personal stories of our guests are meant to demonstrate the potential that each one of our graduates holds. For many, this is just the beginning of lifelong learning. For some, it is a culmination of their success in balancing work, family and studies. For others, it is a new beginning. No matter what brings our students to the ceremony, we want it to be a wonderful celebration even if we have to add some bells and whistles – and in Mabel’s case her infamous bike horn.”

President Barry, at the conclusion of the ceremonies after the degrees had been conferred and the accordion was placed back in its case, summarized the winter ceremony by adding, “If you didn’t notice by now, we do things a little differently here at Quincy College.” Judging by the immediate round of applause, the audience agreed.

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