PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Graduation season kicked off May 16 as 245 NMCC students were presented associate degrees and certificates during this year’s commencement exercises, which were held at The Forum in Presque Isle.
The largest group of students graduated from the trade and technical occupations department. One hundred fourteen scholars earned associate degrees in programs ranging from automotive collision repair and diesel hydraulics technology, to computer electronics and electrical construction and maintenance.
The second largest group — 75 graduates — received associate degrees in nursing and allied health. This group includes nurses, community paramedics and medical assistants among other disciplines.
In his charge to the graduates, NMCC President Timothy Crowley spoke about the importance of having both heart and passion.
“Your educational experience at NM has given you the foundation to build on … to improve your knowledge and skills,” he said. “At the intersection of where knowledge and skills meet, your passion for life is born. Where you bring your abilities together with your passion is where your heart is. Without passion for what you do, you limit your potential, you curtail your success, and you miss an opportunity to make the world a better place.
“By allowing yourself to commit to taking risks — to putting yourself out front — you increase the opportunity for your success and the opportunities of others,” said Crowley. “Letting your heart shine through will make a difference in your success.”
Crowley encouraged the graduates to open their hearts to others.
“Share your knowledge and skills, and more importantly, show the passion you have for what you do,” he said. “And if you find you have a job that does not generate that passion, find another job. Don’t stay with it.”
Duska Kingsbury of Mars Hill, NMCC’s Student of the Year, delivered the student address.
“My journey — probably like yours — required me to go through many things. I went through one entire summer trying to decide if going back to school was really within my reach, and whether the perceived sacrifices my family and I would have to make were worth it,” she said. “I had to go through the application process, which included a tour of the campus. Looking through the fall class registration schedule felt a little like a 16-year-old searching for her first vehicle. It was slightly awkward finding a seat the first day of class, and looking around at all the other students starting the semester together. Would we all make it till the end?
“I went through at least 300 cups of coffee. I went through one set of tires for my vehicle to drive to Presque Isle from Mars Hill approximately 300 times — that’s 8,400 miles. This winter I went through over one month where the temperature didn’t reach above freezing, and when walking across the NMCC driveway in subzero wind conditions felt like a personal battle with Mother Nature,” said Kingsbury, who received an associate degree in liberal studies. “I went through the reconstruction of the streets in downtown Presque Isle. Anyone who had to navigate the intersection at the end of State Street in order to arrive to class on time knows how unnerving that can be.”
Kingsbury noted that she went through roughly 900 hours of class time, three thumb drives, four highlighters, six notebooks, and eight different professors to collect the knowledge she now has.
“I went through countless nights of restless sleep worrying about an upcoming test or project that was coming due. Like all of you, I had to balance college life, home life, and other responsibilities. We have all gone through a lot to be here today,” she said. “We have completed homework assignments with other responsibilities looming over our heads. We made sacrifices and altered our lifestyles to make school a priority, and we’ve devoted time and energy to our goals. It is because of all this that we needn’t fear our future. We’ve proven our resilience, our commitment to hard work, and our ability to balance life’s obligations.
“To quote baseball player Sam Ewing, ‘Hard work spotlights the character of people. Some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don’t turn up at all,’” said Kingsbury. “We have done more than just ‘turned up.’ We have succeeded. Congratulations graduating Class of 2015.”
Luke Shorty, executive director of the Maine School of Science and Mathematics (MSSM), offered the commencement address. He reminded the students to reflect, celebrate and prepare.
“Take a second and reflect on how you arrived at this spot — today. What trials and tribulations did you have to navigate and overcome? Were there moments of difficulty that you were surprised by your own strength and fortitude to overcome? Perhaps some of you in this room are first-generation college students … blazing a trail where no one in your family has gone before,” said Shorty. “Perhaps you are a non-traditional student working tirelessly to balance your studies and your responsibility to your family or your job. To reflect on your own personal journey and the transformation you have undergone from the start of this educational path that you’re on to its successful completion today is critical to the next step — celebration.
“This is a time for us to revel in one’s success and to give thanks to the people who supported and helped you get to this momentous occasion, right here, right now,” he said. “You’re surrounded by your faculty who have pushed you, supported you and held you accountable for all the academic success that you have achieved, as well as family, friends and loved ones who continue to support you, love you, and hold you in high esteem for your accomplishments that we celebrate this day, and by your peers who have struggled and persevered with you.”
Shorty, the first executive director of MSSM to have graduated from the residential magnet school in Limestone, said that with all transitions there is preparation.
“Preparation for what is next. What lies in front of you? Where will the completion of this leg of your journey take you? Thanks to the quality of your education and programming at NMCC, almost all of you will be in jobs related to your training or going on to further your education,” he said. “At the end of your journey, you’ve hit a fork in the road where you need to make a decision. What’s the next step? This place has prepared you for that.”
Shorty told the graduates that the lessons they have learned beyond the classroom will last a lifetime.
“The skill of perseverance through hardship is one that will serve you well forever. To not procrastinate is a tough lesson to learn, but an important one. Time management is another tool that can help smooth the road to your personal destination,” he said. “One thing is certain: the journey that led you to this major transition — your college graduation — has made you better prepared than you were when you started.
“May the next leg of your journey lead you even more prepared and more successful than you find yourself today. Do not forget those who helped guide, support and mentor you along this journey. May you all fare well, and may the next leg of your journey be equally exciting, challenging and rewarding because in this journey called life, learning always played a major part,” said Shorty.
During the ceremony, life sciences instructor Gregory Thompson was presented with the President’s Award for his outstanding commitment to his academic discipline and dedication to his students.
“Greg has provided hundreds of nursing and allied health students with a solid foundation in the life sciences. Throughout 14 years at NMCC, he has built a reputation as a fair, committed and exceptionally capable faculty member with high standards who is respected by faculty and students,” said Crowley.
In addition, Kingsbury presented a generous gift on behalf of the graduating class and the Student Senate supporting the Harold Quass and Dick West scholarships.
Mark Bouchard, president of the Alumni and Friends Organization, congratulated the class and welcomed them as the newest members of the NMCC alumni.
Those in attendance were invited to a reception immediately following the graduation ceremony.
‘To reflect on your own personal journey and the transformation you have undergone from the start of this educational path that you’re on to its successful completion today is critical to the next step — celebration.’
Luke Shorty, executive director of MSSM
