Courtesy Photo Keith Wallace, center, receives Alpena Community College’s 2019 Distinguished Graduate Award, presented by ACC Foundation Executive Director Brenda Herman, left, and ACC President Don MacMaster, right.

Keith Wallace was awarded the 2019 Distinguished Graduate Award at the 66th Alpena Community College commencement ceremonies on May 9. Established in 1998 by the ACC Foundation, this award honors ACC graduates who have gone on to contribute to society through successful careers. Its recipients are examples of how a solid foundation from ACC can launch a lifetime of achievement.

Wallace is a native of Alpena and earned an associate in arts degree from Alpena Community College in 1962. He went on to earn a bachelor in arts degree with a secondary teaching certificate from the University of Michigan in 1964. He continued his education at the University of Detroit, receiving a juris doctor degree in 1967.

Keith met his wife, Joyce, when they both worked at Lawyers Title Insurance Company, located in downtown Detroit. Shortly after Keith graduated from law school, they got married and he moved Joyce to his hometown of Alpena. He has been an active practicing attorney for 51 years and is currently a senior member of the law firm Isackson, Wallace and Pfeifer.

Wallace has served in leadership roles on a variety of boards and volunteer organizations including the First Federal Savings Board of Directors, Hospice of Northeast Michigan Advisory Board, St. Bernard’s Church Pastoral Council, Alpena Jaycees and Fraternal Order of Police. Most notably, Wallace served as the city attorney for the City of Alpena for 39 years where he also received the Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys Distinguished Service Award. He honorably accepted the role of Public Administrator for the County of Alpena, appointed by the Michigan Attorney General’s office.

Using his expertise in estate planning, Wallace most recently served on Alpena Community College Foundation’s Gift Planning Alliance Committee.

“I feel it is an honor and privilege to give back to ACC and our community for assisting in the success of my legal career,” Wallace said. “Our community is fortunate to have Alpena Community College which provides a solid foundation on which to launch any type of career.”

Brenda Herman, executive director of the ACC Foundation said, “The ACC Foundation is proud to award the 2019 Distinguished Graduate Award to Keith and we congratulate him on his many educational and professional accomplishments since his graduation from Alpena Community College.”