‘We’re extremely proud’: NCMC celebrates Class of 2024
PETOSKEY — Family and friends crowded into Petoskey Plastics Arena on Friday, May 3 to celebrate alongside the newest class of North Central Michigan College graduates.
Earlier in the day, students in the nursing program took part in the traditional pinning ceremony.
With an introduction from Dean of Nursing Brent LaFaive and a keynote speech from Lily Wilcox, the graduates were pinned by their friends and family in the emotional ceremony.
More: North Central's 2024 Nurse Pinning
At 7:30 p.m., the entire Class of 2024 gathered for the full commencement ceremony. Hundreds of graduates walked across the stage to receive their diplomas and certificates.
College president David Roland Finley noted some statistics for this class of students, including that “Nearly two-thirds of the graduates, 64 percent, are planning to transfer to a four-year institution.”
“There are 14 students graduating with a family member,” Finley added. “And 35 percent, over one-third of our graduates, are the first in their family to earn a degree or certificate. That’s a big deal.”
Among the graduates, most hailed from Petoskey, with Boyne City, Gaylord, Cheboygan, Alanson, Charlevoix and Harbor Springs following as the hometowns with the highest number of graduates in the Class of 2024.
“Finally, all of these graduates have exhibited intelligence, resilience, drive, focus and teamwork in getting to this day,” Finley said. “We are pleased to call you Timberwolves. As you might guess, we’re extremely proud of this year’s pack.”
More: NCMC celebrates 2024 commencement
Pier and Renee Borra received honorary degrees during the commencement ceremony in recognition of their contributions to the health care field and to the college.
Monica Peck, director of the Boyne District Library and the Michigan Library Association’s 2022 Public Librarian of the Year, was the keynote speaker. She spoke about her own background as a student at North Central and what is has meant for her family.
“It was the desire for a brighter future that led me to NCMC. Education became my beacon of hope, my pathway to a better life. Early childhood education spoke to me on a profound level and I quickly found myself immersed in the world of learning and discovery,” Peck said. “I vividly remember the doubts and insecurities that plagued me during those early days in college.
"As a first generation college student, I felt like a fish out of water, grappling with imposter syndrome and questioning whether I belonged in a higher education setting," she continued. "I also felt like the old lady at nearly 30. However, it was the unwavering support and encouragement of my professors that helped me overcome those doubts and find my voice. They saw potential in me when I couldn’t see it in myself and they nurtured that potential until it blossomed into something beautiful.”
— Contact Jillian Fellows at jfellows@petoskeynews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: ‘We’re extremely proud’: NCMC celebrates Class of 2024
