Dr. James E. Stoddard was awarded the 2018 Distinguished Graduate Award at the 65th Alpena Community College commencement ceremonies held in the Park Arena on Thursday. 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 educational foundation from ACC can launch a lifetime of achievements.

Stoddard was born and raised in Alpena and graduated from Alpena Catholic Central High School in 1958. He enrolled in ACC and earned an associate in science degree in 1960, and transferred to the University of Michigan where he received a bachelor in science degree in 1962.

He continued at U of M, receiving a doctor of medicine degree in 1966. After completing an internship at Wayne County General Hospital he spent a year training in general surgery at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. In 1968, Stoddard was drafted into the United States Navy and served until 1970.

Upon his discharge he spent three years specializing in medical and surgical diseases of the ears, nose and throat. In 1973 he returned to Michigan and opened his ENT practice in Bay City, where he practiced for 32 years until his retirement in 2005.

“In accepting this award I do so as a proxy for all of the alumni that have matriculated thought this institution since its founding 65 years ago,” Stoddard said. “There was never a moment when I felt that I would have been better off if I would have gone to a different school other than ACC.”

He and his wife Elizabeth raised two children, Susan and David. The Stoddards enjoyed traveling and spending time with their children and granddaughters, Kyra and Kambrie, in Phoenix.

Over the years Stoddard has remained connected to the Alpena area and he has property that is dear to him and his family. He also remained connected to ACC and has supported numerous fundraising campaigns for college expansion projects. As a way of showing his gratitude to ACC and returning the opportunity he was given as a student, he created the James F. and Elizabeth A. Stoddard Endowed Scholarship Fund with the ACC Foundation in 2015.

“The ACC Foundation is proud to award the 2018 Distinguished Graduate Award to Dr. Stoddard for his professional achievements and outstanding accomplishments since his early days at ACC,” Penny Boldrey, foundation executive director, said.