CT State Norwalk holds first graduation Thursday

CT State Norwalk hosted its inaugural commencement celebration Thursday as part of the newly formed Connecticut State Community College system.

The college was formerly Norwalk Community College.

The ceremony was at the Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater in Bridgeport.

The class of 2024 had 610 students, ranging from 17 to 67 years old and represented 55 countries.

School officials say it was a symbolic day for the history of the college.

"We're proud of our incredibly hardworking students who have navigated an unprecedented transition to one college while continuing to take courses, work full time and part time jobs, manage personal responsibilities, and engage in a myriad of extracurricular activities," said Interim Associate Dean of Student Development Rachael DiPietro. "We are excited to see them cross the stage in our first ever CT State Norwalk commencement ceremony."