Northern Maine Community College graduates urged to ‘get involved’

    PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Two hundred thirty-one graduates were awarded associate degrees and certificates May 17 during NMCC’s commencement exercises held at The Forum in Presque Isle.
In his charge to the graduates, NMCC President Timothy Crowley encouraged the scholars to get involved.
“You have a passion for what you do in your occupation and your life, and I encourage you to get involved and apply that passion to things that are important to you. Your technical skills and your understanding of the technology you have studied is not enough; it is what is in your heart that is going to make you successful,” he said. “You need to get involved in your community. When young girls in Nigeria are kidnapped, we should be outraged and should be thinking, ‘What can we do? Is that right?’ When elected officials abuse their authority and hold others back for their own purposes, we should get involved, we should react. When a gunman goes into a school and shoots children, we should react. So, what do you do? We believe in the democracy that we have and we work hard to change things. Change does not happen quickly and it comes at a cost. That cost is hard work. Will your involvement in your community make a difference? Yes it will.
“You can change the world. You have the responsibility as an educated person to help others as you have been helped. Get involved in a non-profit group, volunteer at your church, run for political office, give yourself and your friends an opportunity to make the world a better place,” said Crowley. “Winston Churchill said, ‘The pessimist sees problems as an opportunity, the optimist sees the opportunity in every problem.’ Never give in, never, never, never, never — in nothing — great or small, large or petty, never give in. Allow your knowledge and skills to help you express your dreams and your thoughts for a brighter future for yourselves and your children. Set lofty goals for yourselves and make no excuses.”
Jessica Lahey of Presque Isle, who was selected as NMCC’s 2014 Student of the Year, served as this year’s student speaker.
“Every one of us here today has faced adversity,” said Lahey. “We all come with challenges and obstacles to overcome. From here on out, today symbolizes the time and effort that our families, friends, faculty and others have spent nurturing our growth. As we walk across this stage today, we have the opportunity to start a new phase in our life and growth.
“Commencement means a new beginning. Whether we’re working toward advancing our new careers, continuing on our education, or both, we should never forget our roots that have been planted here. I hope we all continue to grow, not to mention meet — and exceed — the goals that we have set for ourselves,” she said. “Be proud of what you have accomplished so far. Take this pride into your work and the pursuit of your next degree, but don’t ever stop growing.”
Dr. William Cassidy, a trustee of the Maine Community College System and president emeritus of Washington County Community College in Calais, delivered the commencement address.
“Please, if at all possible, don’t leave this beautiful region you call home where you have family and many good friends,” Cassidy requested of the graduates. “We need you to stay here using your knowledge and skills to enhance our economy and our communities to help make this region of our state even better than it is now. If you find it necessary to leave here for a pursuit of further education or employment or even adventures, do anything you can from afar to support your community. Do come home often and maybe even one day, return here to live and work. It took me 23 years to get home and that saddened me. I hope it won’t take you 23 years to return.”
Cassidy, who began his post-secondary education at Northern Maine Vocational Technical Institute, now NMCC, urged the graduates to also practice simple acts of kindness.
“I’m talking about opening that door for the little, white-haired president as he approaches to come through it. I’m talking about when you go down the street and see an elder shoveling the walk or the end of their driveway, stop and finish it for them. The rewards and thanks that you get will warm the cockles of your heart,” he said. “If you happen to find yourself in the local market, Walmart or McDonald’s and you see a woman or man get out of a vehicle that’s got a veterans plate and they’ve got a veterans’ hat on or a pin, do me a favor, approach that person and say ‘Thank you for your service.’ Practice stewardship, involve yourself however you can in your community. Volunteer, coach a Little League team, join a service club. Work every day to become a better person. Speak to heal, not hate. Surround yourself with positive, happy people, for if you do, you will find your life will also be equally happy.
“Smile as you approach a stranger and wish them ‘Good day.’ Extend your hand in friendship to a friend and give them a warm welcome when they approach you. Hug those near and dear to you. Reach down and pat that old dog that wags its tail when you walk by. Again, you will find the warmth in your heart you will receive multi-fold,” said Cassidy. “Celebrate and share this accomplishment with your family and friends, and do whatever you can to thank them for what they’ve done for you, and do what you can to encourage others.”
Following the conferring of degrees and certificates, Michael Thibodeau, president of the NMCC Alumni & Friends Organization, urged the graduates to stay connected.
“As alumni, regardless of whether we are accountants, nurses, plumbers, carpenters, electricians, mechanics, computer technicians or liberal arts majors, we all share the same common bond to the college,” he said. “I challenge and encourage each and every one of you to stay connected to the college and get involved in alumni activities.”
Also during the ceremony, Rob Ottaviano was presented with the President’s Award for his commitment to providing quality dining services to NMCC. Ottaviano is the food service director for Aramark which provides dining and catering services for the college.
“Anytime we needed to respond to changes in the institution, food service has played an important role for us in the past several years and Aramark has always stepped up with Rob leading the effort,” said Crowley. “He was our champion to move things forward so the service is the number-one priority in our food service area as it is everywhere else. I am so pleased that Rob is with us and of the partnership we have with Aramark and the work that the entire group does for us.”