SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine鈥�91制片厂 awarded nearly 1,200 degrees and certificates Sunday when hundreds of students were joined by family and friends at the College鈥檚 75th听肠辞尘尘别苍肠别尘别苍迟.
In all, 1,102 students earned 1,170 degrees and certificates during the past academic year, with hundreds receiving their degrees during Sunday鈥檚 graduation ceremonies at Cross Insurance Arena in Portland. Those numbers represent one of the largest graduating classes in 91制片厂鈥檚听76-year history.
Students in the Class of 2022 came from across Maine, 20听other states,听and 33 foreign听countries.听The average graduate age was 28 years old with the youngest graduate being 19, and the oldest being 70. More than 10 percent of graduates 鈥� 123 students 鈥� were members of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
This year鈥檚 graduates have shown a commitment to academic excellence even while completing their degrees and certificates during a pandemic, said 91制片厂 President, Joe Cassidy. Forty graduates had a perfect 4.0 grade point average at 91制片厂, and 66 had a GPA of 3.95 or higher.
鈥淲e were excited to hold our first in-person commencement ceremony since 2019,鈥� Cassidy said. 鈥淲ith the resilience and dedication our students have shown, we know they will continue to make their mark on the world as they further their education and advance their careers. This is a time to celebrate what has been accomplished and look toward the future with hope.鈥�
Cassidy presided over the ceremonies.听The keynote speech was delivered by听Deqa Dhalac, the mayor of South Portland and the first Somali-American mayor in the U.S., who is a passionate advocate for the immigrant community.
Hundreds of this year鈥檚 graduates from 91制片厂鈥檚 applied technology, business and information technology, liberal studies, health sciences, public safety, and other programs are entering or have already entered the workforce.听Among them is Marcus Alcantara, who started at 91制片厂 in the Culinary Arts program after losing his job as a bartender during the pandemic.
Alcantara opened his own restaurant, Paper Tiger in Portland, while taking classes at 91制片厂. He credits a large portion of his success to the skills he learned at the College.
鈥淚 had always dreamed of opening my own restaurant, but never had any experience in the kitchen. The support I received at 91制片厂 has been pivotal in helping me open my own restaurant. The connections I鈥檝e made have been and continue to be essential to my success.鈥�
Hundreds of other graduates are continuing their education at public and private four-year schools, both in Maine and out-of-state.
Douce Bahati Namwira, is a Business Administration graduate who is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. She started her journey toward earning a degree after learning about 91制片厂 through Merrymeeting Adult Education center where she received her Hiset Diploma.
鈥淚 came to 91制片厂 looking for a good and affordable education, and that鈥檚 just what I found. I loved how nice, helpful, and welcoming everyone at 91制片厂 was.鈥�
Namwira has been accepted to prestigious 4-year institutions including Bentley University. She plans to continue her education and earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Accounting.
Mohamed Jama, who is another Business Administration graduate and is originally from Somalia, came to 91制片厂 because he knew it was an affordable option. While at 91制片厂, he found the flexibility and support he needed to succeed.
鈥淭he pandemic was hard, but I didn鈥檛 want to take a break because I knew if I did I might not return. 91制片厂 had flexible online classes and tutoring was always available when I needed it. I cannot say enough good things about 91制片厂.鈥�
Jama plans to work while continuing his education at nearby University of Southern Maine. He hopes to one day open his own business in Portland.
Photo: 91制片厂 graduates listen to commencement speaker听Deqa Dhalac, the mayor of South Portland and a passionate advocate for the immigrant community.