FINE Mortuary College, LLC: A Private Two Year College located in Norwood, MA granted the Associate in Applied Science in Funeral Service to its graduates on July 29, 2011 at the United Church in Norwood, MA.  Following the invocation by the Reverend William Christensen, M. Div., President Louis Misantone, Ph.D., LFD, gave welcoming remarks to the graduates and their families and friends.  Misantone then introduced Katelyn E. Estes, LFD from the Class of 2010-11, who spoke to her classmates about the funeral service experience.  Katelyn is currently employed by Hobbs Funeral Home in South Portland, ME.   Next, Misantone introduced the speaker for the alumni, FINE Professor Marsha Wise, M.A. (Class of 2003).  She told the graduates that FINE alumni had bequeath them a tradition of exemplary funeral service for grieving families and it was their responsibility or "your last homework assignment" to uphold this important tradition.  She also urged the graduates to find a hobby, interest, community volunteer work or passion to lend a sense of balance to their lives.

The featured speaker was Richard N. Levrault, D.O., former science faculty member at FINE who has family medical practices in Canton and Seekonk, MA.   He used Lincoln’s Gettysburg address to point out that what he said to the graduates likely would not be remembered but what the graduates have done, and will do in the future, will be important and remembered.

Dr. Rich is a lover of unusual neckties so Dr. Lou presented him a tie covered with the FINE logo.  Dr. Lou told him to wear it in remembrance of his over ten years of excellent teaching at FINE.  Additionally, each speaker was presented with a framed certificate in appreciation for participating in the ceremony. Furthermore, several students, faculty and staff earned the following honors and awards. 

• Katelyn Estes, LFD was inducted into Mu Sigma Alpha, and presented with a pin and a framed certificate of membership. This Funeral Service Honor Society is supported by the National Association of Colleges of Mortuary Science.
• The Faculty Award this year was given to Sean Bowen due to his outstanding performance in the areas of scholarship, leadership and good citizenship.
• The Performance Award this year was given to two graduates: Jesse A. Faye and Andrew M. Nardolillo. This award is given to the students who succeeded in earning their degree despite unusually difficult times.
• Katelyn Estes, LFD received the Reginald H. Cagle, FD Award. This award is given to the student who most exemplifies the attributes characterized by the late Reggie—diligence, kindness and joy. 
• Sean Bowen was honored with the Professional Issues and Concerns Award for excellence in documentation of understanding of funeral service. 
• Stacy Alves, associated with the South Coast Funeral Home in Fall River, MA, was presented with the Restorative Art Award for the student who demonstrated excellence in the application of restorative technique.  Along with the framed certificate from FINE, Dennis Daulton, LFD presented Stacy with a Cosmetic Kit from the Dodge Company in memory of the late Arnold J. Dodge. 
• Danny D. Thompson was awarded the Promising Professional Award for giving more than required in service to the funeral profession. 
• Sean Bowen was given a The Tutor Award for the extra effort he put forth as a peer tutor to help his fellow students succeed academically.
• The Administrative Award was presented to Cheryl Amari, M.A. who has been an excellent teacher of the Introduction to Social Science and Psychology of Grief courses for several years.  She has helped rewrite several curricula and is currently opening a new company called, Grief Teach, to provide Hope and Healing Through Education.
• Donna Arthur, LFD, Lauralee Davis, LFD and Marsha Wise, M.A., FD, each were given a Certificate of Appreciation for their long-time support of excellence in funeral service education and their continuing support of FINE.
• Elizabeth Misantone, Donna Taylor, AS, Kerry Greene and Brenda A. Swanson were acknowledged for their outstanding work in the FINE administrative areas. 

Following the ceremony the graduates formed a receiving line and were congratulated for their successes.  Friends and family then joined the FINE graduates, faculty, administration and staff at a reception in the church fellowship hall in honor of the graduates.

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