Inspired to seek greater academic challenges at an early age, Jay began taking classes at Curry at the age of 15 during the summer of 2000, the summer between his sophomore and junior year in high school. Just three years later, at the age of 18, Jay graduated from Curry with a 3.9 grade point average as a member of the Class of 2003.

Jay began his college experience with an Applied Computing course through the Division of Continuing and Graduate studies.

“It was a bit strange at first and a little intimidating going from a high school class with kids to adults in the classroom,” says Jay, recalling that first class. “It took me a while to realize they were not there to intimidate me.” Jay credits Professor Bill Benoit for making him feel comfortable. “Professor Benoit was humorous, had a good attitude and set an environment where students could do their best.”

Encouraged by having a great experience overall that first summer and supported by his parents and his high school, King Philip Regional in Wrentham, MA, Jay decided to take on a full-time college course load in Fall 2000.

“I had done so well in the first course that I figured why not, I’d give it a try,” Jay recalls about the decision to take college classes full-time as a teen. “My parents and I made an arrangement with King Philip High School. Many of the credits I earned at Curry were applied to my high school curriculum requirements and I had a deal where I could take independent tutoring sessions to fulfill the rest of my requirements.”

Jay’s father, local businessman and recently appointed Curry College Trustee John T. “Ted” Mahoney III, says that academics was the easy part for Jay, but it was the social aspect of Jay starting college at age 15 that he worried about. “Jay was fortunate in that he already knew a number of students from the football and track team at King Philip who had already graduated and were attending Curry.”

“Once I got to know people,” adds Jay, “the age gap didn’t make that much of a difference. I commuted for the first two years so I stuck mostly to my high school friends.” After he graduated from King Philip in 2002, Jay moved onto the Curry campus. “Living on campus in a residence hall during my last year was a great experience. I got to meet a lot more people than when I was commuting from home.”

Jay became quite involved in activities around campus as a resident student. He started a recycling committee made up of students, faculty and staff and was instrumental in getting a recycling program implemented at the college; worked as an assistant in the computer lab; worked for Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Steve Nelson on the sidelines of all of the Curry home football games; and participated in the Student Government Association. He was one of the founders of the Management Forum Club, was a member of management honor society Sigma Beta Delta, and was awarded the Management Department’s Outstanding Academic Achievement Award. His g.p.a. at the time of graduation was a 3.9.

Time management seemed to be Jay’s only challenge. He said that he had a few issues with time, given the more than full course load he had between the high school and college classes, as well as working in the summer months for the Town of Franklin. “Sometimes it seemed like more homework than fun, but it was worth it,” said Jay.

Jay credits the small class size at Curry and the great faculty with his success. His plans include enrolling in Suffolk University’s MBA program.