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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Liz Cooper
ecooper@massbay.edu

������Ƶ Community College alum Dan O’Neil, completing the Boston Marathon in 2017, at the finish line in Boston, MA, April 2017. Dan will compete in the April 15, 2024, race to raise money for ������Ƶ student scholarships (Photo/ Dan O’Neil).

WELLESLEY HILLS, Mass. (February 16, 2024) – ������Ƶ Community College alum Dan O’Neil of Dedham, MA, will run the 128th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 15, 2024, with a goal of raising $5,000 for ������Ƶ’s general student scholarship fund. The ������Ƶ General Scholarship provides critical funds to students who need assistance paying for tuition, textbooks, and emergency costs that may arise during the semester.

With three Boston Marathon finishes under his belt and two completions of the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington D.C., O’Neil is no stranger to the world of long-distance running. Following his inaugural Boston Marathon in 2016, he penned a children’s book titled, “Big Dan Runs the Marathon,” chronicling his 26.2-mile journey. Recently, O’Neil shared his personal narrative through a poem and short story, reflecting on his path to earning an associate’s degree from ������Ƶ.

“I am thrilled to be running for ������Ƶ, as I firmly believe in the community college system and its ability to offer exceptional education to students,” said O’Neil. “Thanks to the education I received at ������Ƶ, I’ve been able to accomplish a great deal and have had numerous rewarding professional and personal experiences that otherwise wouldn’t have been possible. I eagerly anticipate representing our students and raising funds to ensure they have a clear path toward earning their degrees.”

O’Neil earned his associate degree in paralegal studies from ������Ƶ in 2000. Since that time, he has been working as a valuable member of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts workforce, serving in various capacities within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services and the Massachusetts Comptroller’s Office as part of the statewide payroll team.

To support Dan O’Neil’s Boston Marathon run, visit:

The Town of Wellesley receives invitational entries for the Boston Marathon through the Boston Athletic Association Cities and Towns Program. Entries are awarded to local charitable organizations selected by the Wellesley Select Board.

������Ƶ Community College is the most affordable higher education option in MetroWest Boston, offering a robust portfolio of courses and more than 70 associate degree and certificate programs with flexible day, evening, and weekend classes in Ashland, Framingham, Wellesley Hills, and online. ������Ƶ students receive an unmatched educational value by earning stackable credits that transfer to bachelor’s degree programs, and workforce-ready skills necessary to advance careers in high-demand fields such as health and life sciences, automotive technology, engineering, business, cybersecurity, and the humanities. ������Ƶ’s Associate Degree in Nursing (RN) and Practical Nursing (LPN) programs were both ranked as the #1 Nursing Program in Massachusetts in 2020, 2021, and 2023 by national nursing advocacy organizations RegisteredNursing.org, and PracticalNursing.org. Since its founding in 1961, ������Ƶ has been accredited by several governing bodies and remains firmly committed to its mission of meeting the needs of the diverse local communities it serves. We value the intrinsic worth of all individuals, collectively in pursuit of inclusiveness and prioritize our work towards achieving equity within our community and beyond.