This year, ACC had 299 candidates for graduation (compared to 307 in May 2023). Approximately 160 candidates chose to march in last week’s ceremony.

ACC saw many awards handed to students that day, including the Besser Award which are the highest recognition of academic achievement given at ACC, and 2024 is the 52nd year the awards have been presented. This years winner of the Anne Besser Award was Paige Wooden; the Jesse Besser Award winner was Daddy Hill.

Each year, the college also recognizes someone who, through a sense of purpose, community concern, and leadership, has enriched the educational, cultural, and/or economic lives of the citizens of Northeast Michigan. Recipients were Dr. Henry and Florence Stibitz.

The Distinguished Graduate was also handed out, this year to Arthur H. Knechtel (1957). The award is bestowed upon an ACC alumnus/ae who has impacted the world in their realm of expertise. Knechtel is a chemical engineer who rose through the ranks of Hercules, Inc., a chemical and munition manufacturer.

Courtesy Photo Arthur H. Knechtel (second from right) received the 2024 Distinguished Graduate Award at ACC’s commencement ceremony on May 9.

Prior to commencement on May 9, the ACC Nursing Department conducted the Spring 2024 Nurses Pinning Ceremony on May 8.

This semester saw 18 PN students and 35 RN students complete their program.

Awards were presented to the following: Excellence in LPN Nursing Theory Award: Taylor Corbin-Kelly and Katie Dean, Excellence in LPN Clinical Practice Award: Tiffany Foster and Tyler Migan, LPN Classmate Appreciation Award: Megan Apker and Taylor Corbon-Kelley, Judy Beyer Award: Taylord Corbin-Kelley, Barbara Jacquemin (BNS, RN) $500 Scholarship: Katie Dean, Excellence in RN Nursing Theory Award: Darbi Dolliver, Tanashewa Evans, and Kristina Teeples, Excellence in RN Clinical Practice Award: Nikki Binkley and Kody Gray, Kathryn Riker Gouin $1,000 Scholarship: Alexandrea Ingram, Holistic Nurse Award: Jade Schultz, and Helen Malandrinos $250 Scholarship: Anna Young.

New this year was the first Florence Nightingale Award which honors an outstanding alumnus of the ACC nursing program who has gone on to exemplify the qualities of the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale. Cheryl Lemke is the first recipient of the award.

Courtesy Photo Brenda Herman, executive director of the ACC Foundation (right), presented the 2024 Fellows of the College Award to Dr. Henry (left) and Florence Stibitz (center) at ACC’s commencement ceremony on May 9.

Courtesy Photo The 2024 John M. Grant Front Runner Awards were presented to Lacee Hammons (left) and Noah Young (right).