Evening of Excellence Honors NMCC Students
Eighteen students, one from each program, received an Academic Achievement Award at NMCC’s Evening of Excellence on May 2. Left to right, front: Nikki St. Pierre, Medical Assisting; Heidi Wright, Liberal Studies; Kimberly Wilcox, Nursing; Mandy Bradbury, Business Administration; Emma Pelletier, Accounting; and Dina Schiesser, Early Childhood Education. Left to right, back: Eric G. Martin, Paramedicine; Drew Sotomayor, Electrical Construction and Maintenance; Noah Reese, Precision Machining Technology; Peyton Spencer, Computer & Network Technology; Riley Campbell, Plumbing & Heating; Jeremiah Blackwell, Wind Power Technology; and Tyler Ayotte, Building Construction Technology. Missing from the photo is Mark Cyr, Automotive Collision Repair; James Wadsworth, Automotive Technology; Dylan Polchies, Medical Coding; and Ryan Savery, Structural Welding.
Northern Maine Community College celebrated senior achievement during an Evening of Excellence on May 2 to honor students that exemplify the NMCC experience – both in and out of the classroom.
“I want to congratulate you on your success and to let you know, we are all very proud of you,” said NMCC President Timothy Crowley.
Eighteen students were selected – one from each program area – to receive an Academic Achievement Award. A variety of criteria was used to determine the honorees, including academic performance and attitude. The instructors spoke of the qualities and achievements of each of their students and the reason why each student was selected.
A resounding influence in the selection process was attendance, preparedness, work completion and leadership.
Andrew Gagnon, Department Chair of Emergency Medical Services, summed up the sentiments from the instructors nicely.
“It’s not the walls that make this institution so great, it’s the students within them.”
In addition to the Academic Achievement Awards, several other accolades were presented by Dr. William Egeler, Dean of Students.
“Congratulations to you all. Tonight we celebrate your success. We know that the people in this room will continue to be successful as they move forward in life.”
Elizabeth Allen of Blaine, was congratulated for her Student of the Year distinction. A reception was held in Augusta earlier this month in honor of Allen and six other students from each of Maine’s Community Colleges.
NMCC’s honor society, Phi Theta Kappa, announced the All- Maine Academic Team honorees which were Jacob Chouinard of Fort Kent, Genesis Hart of Presque Isle, and Brad Plourde of Eagle Lake. Chouinard was also selected as the New Century Scholar which will provide him with a workforce scholarship.
The Falcon Spirit Award was presented to Jenny Morneault of Fort Kent and Mandy Bradbury of Mars Hill. This award recognizes students who have gone above the call of duty to help make the campus a better place. Both of these students have volunteered countless hours of their time and have been involved in campus organizations.
The Award of Excellence was presented to Jenny Morneault and Joseph Silliboy of Ludlow. This award honors students who have demonstrated high excellence for themselves, are creative thinkers, possess high standards of honesty and integrity, and have been an inspiration to others.
It was also announced that Rachel Driscoll of Washburn is this year’s Gorman Scholar. This was the only student award of the evening given to a first-year student. Driscoll will receive a full scholarship for next academic year and there will be a reception for her later this spring.
The Instructor of the Year award was determined by student nominations and was presented to Angela Buck RN, MSN, FNP-C, Nursing Instructor and Student Nurses’ Association advisor.
Student Senate president, Mandy Bradbury, presented Buck with the award.
“Whether she is answering questions about an assignment or offering students test-taking advice, Angela is consistently pushing students to be the best they can be. This overall admiration is a result of her dedication and commitment to the nursing department and, most importantly, the students.”
Dr. Egeler wrapped up the evening by sharing a conversation he once had with a friend.
“‘Everything that is positive in my life, I can link back to NMCC.’ The person that said that to me attended NMCC, met their spouse at NMCC, and their best employees came from NMCC,” said Egeler, “Tonight is an additional example of why it is the students that consistently make NMCC such a great place to be.”