NEW LONDON, Conn. — Lewiston native Carter J.D. Handy received a Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal and professional studies with a concentration in early childhood education on May 14 from Mitchell College.

A 2007 graduate of Lewiston High School, Handy was one of 169 graduates to receive their degrees during Mitchell’s 67th commencement ceremony and is one of the 30 percent of 1,000 Mitchell students that has a learning or physical disability.

The message of overcoming disadvantages and achieving great things was addressed by commencement speaker Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.

Handy was named to The National Society of Leadership and Success, Sigma Alpha Pi. The society is a nationwide organization dedicated to creating lasting positive change in students and the community. Students must achieve a GPA of 2.5 or greater. In addition, he served as the treasurer of the Mitchell College Early Childhood Club.

Handy will return to Lewiston to begin his career in education. He is the son of Sharon Deveau and Jim Handy.