An Attleboro man was among 29 students honored by Gov. Deval Patrick on Thursday at the Grand Staircase in the State House in Boston. Scott M. Pitas, 39, had been named to the he Massachusetts Department of Higher Education's annual list of "29 Who Shine," which recognizes students who who "had a strong academic record and a history of civic engagement."

Pitas' profile from the governor's office states:

Scott Pitas is a Dean's List engineering student who maintained a rigorous course load at Bristol Community College while balancing a family and work as a peer tutor and substitute teacher in Attleboro High School's Career Vocational Technical Education program. Scott also serves on the Engineering Industrial Advisory Board at Attleboro High, and is an active member of the Bristol CC Engineering Club.

As a part of his Club activities, Scott has mentored middle school students and helped them build Remote Operated Vehicles for competition. Scott and three other BCC students have spearheaded the Engineering Club's Alternative Energy Go Cart Project to increase awareness of green technologies and the benefits of careers in engineering.

Scott's oldest daughter will follow in his footsteps and enter Bristol Community College next year. He hopes to continue his education at Brown or Northeastern University and plans a career in mechanical engineering. He dreams of working in the motorcycle racing industry.