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Maraia speaks to K-boro grads

Maraia speaks to K-boro grads

A renowned molecular scientist returned to his Brooklyn alma mater to congratulate graduating students in front of the same teacher who had inspired the former high-school drop-out to aim for the skies.

Dr. Richard Maraia, chief of the Section on Molecular and Cell Biology Intramural Research Program of the National Institutes of Health, received the Presidential Medal and delivered the keynote address at Kingsborough Community College’s 43rd commencement exercises in front of Dr. Teddy Markus, whose course in Anatomy and Physiology became the launching pad for the young Maraia after his graduation.

A distinguished crop of notables watched the 2008 graduates receive their Associates degrees at the lush, sprawling campus, 2001 Oriental Boulevard.

The Class of 2008 Valedictorian was Michael Blackman, 43, an émigré from Trinidad, who described his journey to higher education in his new homeland, and received a standing ovation for his words of wisdom.

Blackman graduated with a 4.0 Grade Point Average and plans to plans to pursue his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at the Charlotte Campus of the University of North Carolina.