Editor’s note: Graduates with an asterisk (*) preceding their name have attained honors status with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or greater.
By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – A class of 230 graduates received their degrees from the Northern Maine Community College May 15 at the 47th annual commencement exercises. Maine Gov. John E. Baldacci was originally scheduled to address NMCC’s 47th graduating class, marking the seventh anniversary of his signing of the legislation that created the Maine Community College System. However, unforeseen circumstances prevented him from attending the event. Standing in for the governor was Rep. John L. Martin (D-Eagle Lake).
Martin has a long history of supporting higher education in the state. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1964, where he served an unprecedented 10 terms as speaker of the house, from 1975 to 1994. He went on to serve four terms in the State Senate from 2000 to 2008, and during that time served as assistant majority leader, before being reelected to the Maine House in November of 2008. In addition to his legislative duties, Martin is an assistant professor of political science and government at the University of Maine at Fort Kent.
“As a life-long supporter of higher education, I was proud to be on the front line of the creation of the Maine Community College System with Gov. Baldacci,” said Martin. “Northern Maine Community College, along with its sister colleges across the state, provides a wonderful opportunity for affordable, quality education for the residents of Maine to put people to work or get them started on their educational journey.”
Also speaking at commencement was NMCC’s “Student of the Year,” Robert Gagnon. The 57-year-old associate degree plumbing and heating program graduate, grandfather and former mill worker, accepted an early buyout from Fraser Papers when the St. John Valley facility downsized in the summer of 2007.
For Gagnon, attending college and earning a degree was a dream he had previously thought was derailed and unattainable. A 1970 graduate of Madawaska High School, he attended the University of Maine at Fort Kent for a semester, but left in early 1971 for a well-paying job at the Fraser mill.
“When I started this program, I never in a million years thought I would be selected Student of the Year. In high school, I was just an average student and my main goal was to graduate and possibly further my education or work at the Fraser Paper mill in Madawaska. But, things don’t always go as planned. This has been quite an undertaking for me, starting a new career at my age,” said Gagnon. “As we leave here today to begin new journeys, remember the most important lesson we’ve learned here – don’t let anyone discourage you from fulfilling your dreams. Most importantly, if you think to yourself that whatever you do doesn’t matter, think again – it does matter. I have followed my heart and have no regrets.”
NMCC President Timothy Crowley conferred 192 associate degrees and 51 certificates to members of the graduating class. In his remarks prior to presenting the awards, Crowley encouraged the students to become engaged citizens.
“As you leave NMCC today you are prepared to take the next important step toward your career. You are prepared to improve the quality of your life. You have a responsibility to take all that you have learned about yourself and your chosen field of study and help improve the lives of other, as well,” said Crowley. “Be involved in your community. Participate in the organization or community groups that will help shape the future of our children, our community, state and country. If you believe that change is needed, commit yourselves to being a positive change agent and do not doubt that you can make a difference.”
The following local students were among those who graduated:
Department of Arts & Sciences
Early Childhood Education
Associate in Applied Science Degree: Shelby Lynn Hallett and * Jennifer Rebecca Holcombe, both of Bridgewater; * Wendy S. Merritt Spellman, Hodgdon; and Samantha Lee Emery White, Crystal.
Certificate: Amanda Lee Crane, Houlton; and Melanie Ann Forest, Smyrna Mills.
General Technology
Associate in Applied Science Degree: David P. Guy, Hodgdon; and Lisa A. Hardy, Houlton.
Business Technology Department
Business Administration
Associate in Applied Science Degree: Amy Marie Blanchard, Littleton; Brock M. Kingsbury, Bridgewater; and Meggan Pratt, Houlton.
Medical Coding
Certificate: Lisa A. Hardy, Houlton; and Tasha N. Sock, Blaine.
Medical Office Administration
Associate in Applied Science Degree: Tasha N. Sock, Blaine
Nursing & Allied Health Department
Emergency Medical Services
Associate in Applied Science Degree: Joseph A. Levesque III, Crystal.
EMT – Intermediate
Certificate: Tammy Lee Tompkins, Houlton.
Medical Assisting
Associate in Applied Science Degree: * Leah Ann Bates and Ashley Marie Merrill, both of Houlton.
Nursing
Associate in Science Degree: Samantha Dawn Emery, Brandi Nichole McEwen, Kimberly L. Mountain, * Natalia A. Mowrey, Julie M. Tribou and Miranda Mae Wilmot, all of Houlton; Jayme L. Bither and Michelle A. Gardner, both of Linneus; Mark Joseph Goodale, Littleton; Olivia Joy McGary, Oakfield; and * Jennifer Elizabeth Tweedie, Blaine.
Trade & Technical Occupations Department
Automotive Body Repair
Associate in Applied Science Degree: Jonathan C. Bishop, Island Falls.
Automotive Technology
Associate in Applied Science Degree: Aaron James Cyr and Brandon Thomas McAfee, both of Houlton.
Computer-Aided Drafting Technology
Associate in Applied Science Degree: Darrell W. Barton Sr., Houlton.
Computer Electronics
Associate in Applied Science Degree: Brian Paul Kingsbury, Houlton.
Diesel Hydraulics Technology
Associate in Applied Science Degree: Jeffery Ernest Gresko, Amity; and Dylan J. Stubbs, Merrill.
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Associate in Applied Science Degree: * Audrey Rae Charette, Smyrna Mills; Blake Forrester McCarthy, Bridgewater. Certificate: Michael J. Folsom, Smyrna Mills.
Plumbing & Heating
Certificate in plumbing and a certificate in heating: Emery Lucas Lincoln, Littleton.
Residential Construction
Associate in Applied Science Degree: Matthew John McEwen, Linneus.
