Leaders in the arts, business, healthcare, education and other fields shared the stage Thursday night at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet.

And while their careers have led the 26 honored on different paths, they all have a common starting point: the Community College of Rhode Island.

In keeping with the 50th anniversary celebration of the college this year, the evening was dedicated to the college’s alumni and their achievements. Three of the 26 selected for the honor and divisional awards took to the podium to talk about how CCRI shaped their lives. And there was a common theme that it was teachers who made them what they are today.

“Most important are the teachers,” said Antonia “Toni” McGuire of the class of 1975. “They’re the ones who ignite the flame. Teachers invested in me.”

McGuire received the award for Health and Rehabilitative Sciences. A graduate of the CCRI nursing program, she is president and CEO of the Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center in Worcester. McGuire said, “every life you touch, you leave a better world. Thank you [CCRI] for being my cornerstone.”

As CCRI President Ray Di Pasquale noted, since its humble beginnings with a first graduating class of 125 in 1966, the graduating class has grown to 2,000 and the college has more than 64,000 alumni. Di Pasquale spoke of the diversity of the college’s enrollment and how alumni are the foundation of change in Rhode Island.

The college was a game changer for Sandra Pattie, class of 1976, president and CEO of BankNewport. Pattie graduated from CCRI with an associate’s degree in general business.

As the recipient of the divisional award for Business Science and Technology, Pattie spoke of how she would take offense to comments that she was lucky to accomplish what she has done. She said it took a lot of hard work.

“What does luck have to do with it?” she said.

But then she countered that luck had a role. She said her teachers recognized something in her that she didn’t see in herself.

“I’m lucky you were here for me,” she said.

The third alumnus to speak, Lin Tucci of the class of 1971, was the recipient of the award for Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. A New York resident, she has been active in stage and screen since graduating with a liberal arts degree. She has performed on Broadway and she is a featured cast member in the Netflix series “Orange Is the New Black.”

At ease before an audience that numbered more than 650, Tucci talked about how CCRI provided a foundation for her career. And addressing the college alumni, she said, “We hold the torch and shine the way for those who follow.”

The evening also brought back many who worked at the college or whose lives were impacted by the institution. One of them was Judy Liston, wife of the late Edward Liston, who succeeded the college’s first president, the late William Flanagan. Liston held the post for 22 years, before retiring and moving to Maine. During his tenure, the college expanded opening campuses in Lincoln, Providence and Newport.

Judy Liston shared the microphone with Di Pasquale, saying when she stepped through the doors of Rhodes on the Pawtuxet she felt like she was back with her family.

Other alumni honored at the event were:

Jocelyn Bluto ’94 of Warwick, a graduate of the chemical technology program working as a technical staff assistant in CCRI’s Chemistry Department.

Virginia Cairrao ’83 of Bristol, a graduate of the dental assisting program working for Philip D. Barr, D.D.S.

Joseph C. Cardin ’76 of Lincoln, a liberal arts graduate who is superintendent of the Rhode Island Training School.

Robert J. Cimino Jr. ’87 of Indianapolis, Ind., a graduate of the Medical laboratory technician program who is a senior technical representative-Midwest region and international sales manager-South America for Helena Laboratories.

Randy L. Cloutier ’96 of North Providence, a graduate of the music program with a concentration in jazz studies who is a professional drummer/percussionist and instructor.

Richard Cournoyer ’96 of Whittier, Calif., an engineering graduate who is retired from the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he worked on the NASA Mars Science Laboratory Robotic Lander project.

Doris M. De Los Santos ’02 of Providence, a general studies graduate who is director of development and partnerships for the Providence Public Schools.

John W. Fuzek ’86 of Harmony, a graduate of the art department who is a professional musician and freelance graphic designer.

Normand E. Gamache Jr. ’78 of Warwick, a graduate of the business department who is director of public safety at the Rhode Island School of Design.

Michael Hayden ’77 of Cranston, a graduate of the nursing program, is a doctor of osteopathy who owns and operates a private practice in Cranston.

Dr. Julie A. Landrio ’87 of Winchester, Va., a graduate of the radiography program who is board certified as a doctor of internal medicine and has been in private practice since 1998. 

James Lee ’75 of West Kingston, a liberal arts graduate who recently retired from his role as chief of the Civil Division in the Rhode Island Office of Attorney General.

Alicia Marques-Jordan ’97 of Warwick, a general studies graduate who is a teacher at Anna M. McCabe and Raymond C. LaPerche elementary schools in Smithfield.

Elaine Manteiga ’81 of Cumberland, a graduate of the human services department who is a special education teacher at North Cumberland Middle School.

Marc C. Masone ’00, formerly of South Kingstown, a graduate of the art department. He receives this award posthumously.

Melissa Nassaney ’98 of West Kingston, a graduate of the physical therapist assistant program who works in adult rehabilitative services at Rhode Island Hospital.

Carol Patnaude ’78 of West Warwick, a graduate of the human services department who is an associate professor and chairwoman of that department at CCRI.

Vi Pham Williams ’03 of Newport, a general studies graduate who works as the HCIS coordinator at Meditech in Foxboro, Mass.

Lynn Ruggieri ’81 of Barrington, a graduate of the retail management program who is an associate professor of accounting at Roger Williams University.

Kathleen Santilli ’74 of Coventry, a graduate of the nursing program who is a case manager for AIG Medical Management Services.

Peter J. Santini ’66 of West Warwick, a graduate of the liberal arts program who is an educator retired from West Warwick schools and an adjunct instructor at the University of Rhode Island.

Sylvia Ann Soares ’93 of Providence, a graduate of the theatre program who is a writer, poet, director, producer and performer.

Carl Tetzner ’66 of Narragansett, a liberal arts graduate who owns Phil’s Main Street Grille in Wakefield and Homestar Mortgage.