Cam Griffin overcame some major challenges before finding success in community college at MassBay.

Cam Griffin of Hopkinton found his passion for helping others when he struggled to find his own path, and people around him provided a caring and supportive network.

“From 2016 to 2020, I went to rehab every year to treat my bipolar and severe cannabis use disorders,” Griffin said. “In June 2020, I entered a residential treatment program, which provided me with the stability and sobriety I needed to get better. I learned a great deal about myself, and it gave me time to focus on my mental health. In rehab, I realized I was the only person who could change my mindset. That is where I found myself a solid support system and figured out what I wanted to accomplish in my life. I’m the happiest and the most driven I have ever been.”

Added Griffin, “After I graduated from Hopkinton High in 2016, I went to Framingham State University, but, due to my depression and anxiety, I stopped going to classes and dropped out after my first year. I jumped from job to job, believing college wasn’t for me. I was never a good student, but that all changed when I came to MassBay [Massachusetts Bay Community College].”

Griffin, who is celebrating two years in recovery this month, became a dedicated and active student while at MassBay. He was part of MassBay’s Commonwealth Honors Program, earned a spot on the dean’s list every semester, was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society and the Psi Beta Honor Society, and carried a 3.8 GPA.

He specifically thanks MassBay professors Jeanie Tietjen and Carolyn Guttilla for “helping me realize my true potential and for supporting me,” and professor Brian Keegan for making math enjoyable and fun — all of which helped him accomplish his academic success. Griffin also was elected vice president of the Academic Affairs Committee for the Student Government Association and was a member of the Biotechnology Innovation Club.

“I often questioned myself as to why I didn’t start at a community college right out of high school,” he said. “I think that the strong human connections I have experienced at MassBay, along with small class sizes and the supportive faculty, have made all the difference for me in my time here. It’s actually bittersweet to be leaving.”

Griffin graduated from MassBay last month with his Associate of Arts degree in liberal arts-psychology and will transfer as a junior to the University of Massachusetts Boston to study in the prestigious Commonwealth Honors College in pursuit of his bachelor’s degree. His future plans include earning his Ph.D. in clinical psychology to study bipolar disorder.

“It feels amazing to be accepted to UMass Boston, especially because I didn’t get in when I graduated from high school,” he said. “One message I would share with others is to try to figure out what your passion is and follow a path to help drive your career. It’s incredible how far I have come. MassBay has helped me with my upward trajectory, and now I feel as if the sky’s the limit.”

Locals shine at Vermont

The University of Vermont announced its dean’s list for the spring semester, and three Hopkinton residents are on it: Katherine Graham, who is majoring in Chinese, Madeleine Holden, an English major, and Landon York, who is majoring in psychological science.

Also at UVM, Marlene Mathon graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in sociology, and Dana Rafikova graduated with a Bachelor of Science in neuroscience. …

Named to the dean’s list at Clarkson were Jake McDonald, a senior majoring in financial information and analysis, Cam Jerrett, a freshman majoring in psychology, and Aidan Sullivan, a freshman majoring in aerospace engineering/mechanical engineering. …

At Stonehill College, Lydia Rudden, Ian Cann and Brooklyn McDermott-Hyland were named to the dean’s list. …

Tess Greenwood was inducted into Quinnipiac University’s chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, the National Communication Association’s official honor society, during a recent ceremony. …

Graduates from the College of the Holy Cross include Emily Taylor (summa cum laude), William Moore (magna cum laude), Anne Comcowich (cum laude) and Kent Berlin. …

At the College of Charleston, Jessica Beck graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in international studies and a Bachelor of Arts in political science, while Caitlin Dean graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology. …

Megan Halloran was named to the dean’s list at Assumption University, where she is a junior. …

A number of local students graduated from the University of New Hampshire last month: Jacqueline Lupinski, Philip Restifo, Peter Mitchell, Elizabeth Liberta, Abigail Meyers, Eliza Westbury, Isabella Houley, Cole Stukel, Ivy Gogolin and Galen Graham.

Editor’s note: Information for college honors is provided by the schools. Those interested in being included in this section should forward the official notification or request for the school to email it to editor@hopkintonindependent.com.