PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Northern Maine Community College in Presque Isle celebrated its 61st commencement Saturday.
The college broke the day into two ceremonies, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
More than 200 received degrees as commencement returned to the campus for the first time in several years. In previous years the ceremony was held at The Forum in Presque Isle.
Gina LeBlanc-Eggert, chair of the Northern Maine Community College Foundation and manager of Versant Power’s customer contact center, delivered the keynote address. A Rotarian, LeBlanc-Eggert has also served on the boards of the Central Aroostook Association and United Way of Aroostook.
She recalled being the first member of her family to earn a college degree. Her mother, a New Brunswick native, had no formal education but encouraged her children to go to college.
“She always believed in education, learning and growing. She wanted more and better for her children,” LeBlanc-Eggert said. “I hope each of you has that special person that helps you believe in yourself and believes you can make the impossible possible.”
Journeys are different for everyone, she said, urging graduates to be open to changing directions as life happens, and to adapt, seize opportunities, listen and be kind.
“You do not need to have everything figured out today,” she said. “You only need the courage to take the first step.”
Joshua Scheff, NMCC Student of the Year, addressed his fellow classmates. Scheff received a degree in network administration and cybersecurity.
Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, he had an unsteady upbringing, spending time in foster homes, and was told he was difficult to handle, he said. He was adopted at age 10, but instability continued and he fell behind in school.
“At 18, I signed myself out and stepped into adulthood on my own. Looking back, I wish I could tell my younger self even a fraction of what I know now,” Scheff said. “But every setback, every mistake and every small success taught me something that helped shape who I am today.”
Being able to go to college felt more like a hope than a certainty. But after successfully completing a computer tech program at the Shriver Job Corps Center in half the usual time, he decided to explore cybersecurity at the Loring Job Corps Center in Limestone.
A bridge program there led him to the community college, Scheff said. As he got more involved in college life, he joined a fraternity, tackled extracurricular projects and tutored other students.
“If my story says anything, I hope it shows that progress is possible. That hard work matters. And that sometimes the people who have faced the most obstacles become the ones most determined to succeed,” he said.
Students received degrees Saturday morning in accounting, auto collision repair, automotive technology, business administration, computer-aided machining, diesel hydraulics technology, early childhood education, emergency medical services and electrical construction and maintenance.
The afternoon session honored graduates in entrepreneurship, liberal studies, medical assisting, network administration and cybersecurity, nursing, plumbing and heating, practical nursing, structural welding and water treatment technology.
Bagpipers Johnny Carpenter and Scott Heney led students in the processional and recessional. Soloist Heather Gustin sang the national anthem.
Joyce Maker of the Maine Community College System Board of Trustees also offered remarks.
Campus President Doug Binsfeld and arts and sciences instructor David Raymond conferred degrees and certificates.
“At NMCC, we often say ‘be bold, fly high,’” Binsfeld said. “To fly higher means to keep growing beyond this moment. It means using what you’ve learned here to build a better life, support your family, strengthen your community and lift others along the way.”
