News Photo by Alyssa Ochss A student shakes the hand of President Don MacMaster as they receive their diploma holder.

ALPENA — For the first time in more than two years, Alpena Community College graduates got to have a normal commencement ceremony.

ACC held its 68th commencement ceremony outside at Park Family Field at Wildcat Stadium on Thursday and approximately 121 students of the 285 qualified to graduate walked across the stage, according to a press release by the college.

The ceremony was held outside to create a safer space for people in regards to COVID, ACC President Don MacMaster said. He said it came off beautifully and he couldn’t be happier or relieved.

ACC’s last two classes had their commencement ceremonies interrupted by COVID-19. Last year, a drive-up ceremony was held at the college to maintain social distancing and in 2020, graduation was postponed right after the start of the pandemic.

The graduates marched in and a prayer followed. The colors were presented by members of the CRTC and everyone joined in singing the national anthem.

Several honors were given out including Fellow of the College awards, a Distinguished Graduate award, Jesse Besser award given to a male member of the graduating class, and the Anna Besser award given to a female member of the graduating class. Both the Jesse and Anna awards are the “highest recognition of academic achievement” given out by the college, according to the release.

Speeches were given announcing each recipient of the awards. Fellows of the College awards were given to Jim Boldrey, Jim Miesen, and Elbridge Dunckel while the 2022 Distinguished Graduate award was given to Alexandra Johnson who graduated from ACC in 2007.

The Anna Besser award was given to Ashley Nowicki while the Jesse Besser award was given to Musa Kabbah.

Loved ones cheered as their graduates walked across the stage and students were all smiles when receiving their diploma holders.

When the final graduate walked across the stage, everyone in the stadium gave a large round of applause for their students. Students were asked to move their tassels from the right to the left, finally marking them as graduates.

The benediction was given before the ceremony concluded with the students, now graduates, walking out of the stadium. Before they left, some threw their caps in the air in celebration.

When asked if he was proud of the students, MacMaster agreed with enthusiasm.

“Oh absolutely,” MacMaster said. “There are many things about this year’s class that were outstanding, you know, their achievements inspire us and keep us going. Yeah we’ll miss them. You know you get attached to the students and part of our job is to succeed and move on and whatever that might be work or a university. And I think we’ve prepared them well.”