Professor Bruce Winn addresses the graduates at Berkshire Community College's commencement on Friday. More photos here. 

LENOX, Mass. — Berkshire Community College graduates were told to be good neighbors and continue learning during the 65th commencement ceremony.

"Your neighbor isn't your Black neighbor, your trans neighbor, your white neighbor, your Mexican neighbor, your Salvadoran neighbor. Your neighbor is your neighbor," associate professor Bruce Winn told a full house at Tanglewood on Friday.

"And I hope you've learned from your experience here at BCC that all of us have a responsibility to help support and protect all of us. The strength of our community comes from the strengths of our neighbors. We believe in the integrity and dignity of every person, and we know that when we protect the rights and freedoms of any of us, we are protecting the rights and freedoms of all of us."

The class of 2025 was awarded 182 associate degrees, including 130 associate in science degrees and 52 associate in arts degrees, and 106 certificates. A total of 288 awards were conferred to 270 students in 41 programs of study.

Thirteen students received more than one degree or certificate, and the graduates ranged from ages 19 to 66.

"Remember to always keep learning," Massachusetts Commissioner of Higher Education Noe Ortega said.

"Never stop blazing your own path, and don't forget to lift others up along the way."

At the beginning of the ceremony, President Ellen Kennedy strayed from her usual graduation remarks and invited Winn to address the audience. She was moved by a keynote speech he delivered at a recent BCC event and decided, "Every word mattered and that they deserve to be heard in full, just as he originally shared them."