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‘Not a solo adventure’

ACC’s Class of 2019 turn their tassels

News Photo by Crystal Nelson Alpena Community College’s Class of 2019 is all smiles at their commencement ceremony on Thursday in Park Arena. Approximately 150 students chose to march in the commencement ceremony, but the college had a total of 337 candidates for graduation this year.

ALPENA — Be courageous, be extraordinary, be kind, be balanced, and be grateful was the message business faculty member Lois Darga delivered to graduates in her commencement speech during Alpena Community College’s 2019 Commencement.

ACC had a total of 337 candidates for graduation this year and approximately 150 of those graduates marched in the commencement ceremony in Park Arena on Thursday.

Darga told students problems abound and they need to be brave to overcome adversity and have the courage to stand up for others. She also encouraged them to grow and be willing to change throughout their lifetime, to have a code of ethics, strong moral values, and to consider their blessings.

“Speaking of blessings, graduates, as you progressed through your classes, you had the support of many people,” she said. “You did it. You crossed the finish line, but you did not do it alone. It was not a solo adventure.”

Toward the end of her address, Darga asked the graduates to make a 180-degree turn to look all around the room at their community of supporters. Cheers and whistles echoed throughout the arena as the graduates turned to look at their loved ones standing and waving from their seats on the arena floor and from the bleachers.

During the ceremony, graduates Ashly Panknin and Mahina Abdullojonova were this year’s recipients of the Besser Awards, handed out by Brian Siegert, the executive vice president of manufacturing at Besser Co.

The Besser Awards are the highest recognition of academic achievement awarded by the college. The awards are given to two students who have made outstanding contributions to the life of the college through scholarship, leadership and expression of responsibility in solving social problems.

Former men’s basketball coach Jim Dutcher was named this year’s fellow of the college. Dutcher was born and raised in Alpena and graduated from Alpena High School in 1951. He had a historic coaching career at ACC, where his final team went to the National Junior College finals in Hutchinson, Kan. in 1966.

Dutcher said he was “honored” to be named a fellow of the college.

“Alpena was my hometown,” he said. “I taught and coached at the college for eight years, so it’s kind of like a homecoming.”

Attorney Keith Wallace received the college’s distinguished alumni award. Wallace has been a practicing attorney in Alpena for 51 years and is currently a senior member of the firm Isackson, Wallace and Pfiefer.

Most notably, he has served as the City of Alpena’s attorney for 39 years, where he also received the Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys Distinguished Service Award. He has also served on the ACC Foundation’s Gift Planning Alliance Committee.

Early Thursday morning, recipients of the John M. Grant Front Runner Awards were announced during the college’s annual Honors Breakfast at the APlex. Abdullojonova and fellow graduate Nancy Frary received the awards, which are given to students who demonstrate unusual dedication in the pursuit of higher education.

Frary and Abdullojonova were among 229 students invited to participate in the breakfast, which recognized students who maintain a grade-point average of 3.5 or better.

Crystal Nelson can be reached at cnelson@thealpenanews.com or 989-358-5687.

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