Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – Saturday, May 15 was a proud day for Trudy Lilley of Masardis as she got to watch her daughter, Lisa Clark of Garfield Plantation, receive her associate in applied science degree in medical office administration at the 47th annual commencement exercises at Northern Maine Community College.
However, Lilley didn’t watch from her seat in the gymnasium like most parents, but rather from the side of the stage as moments later her name was called to receive the same degree.
The mother-daughter duo had been taking virtually the same classes for two years and their hard work and dedication paid off by receiving not only their degrees but also certificates in medical coding.
“Lisa called me in May of 2008 and said she was going to go back to college,” said Lilley. “I was working at the mill and was very sick with allergies from working there, but I just didn’t want to get done my job. When she said she was going to school, I said, ‘I’m going too.’ I wouldn’t have done this had it not been for her.
“I needed a career change and she picked the right career. If she had called and said she wanted to be a teacher, I wouldn’t have followed her,” laughed Lilley.
Clark had previously been at home taking care of her children, but when her youngest was about to start pre-Kindergarten, she said it was time to either “get a job or go to school.”
“I opted for school,” said Clark. “With the medical field growing, there are just so many opportunities and you don’t have to commit to a specific job; there’s a variety of jobs. I like the office work, but I don’t want to touch people, so I knew medical office administration was the right fit for me.”
Lilley said it was fun taking classes with her daughter.
“I needed a few extra classes because Lisa did go to college for a couple of years when she graduated high school, and I had nothing,” she said. “I had gotten married in high school.
“Having Lisa in class worked out well for me because she’s super-smart,” said Lilley. “If I had problems or questions, I always had someone I could talk to.”
Clark agreed.
“It was actually good. It wasn’t as scary to go there with her,” she said. “There were some days where it was frustrating for both of us, but then other days it was just nice. You had somebody to go to lunch with, somebody to study with us, and if you needed help on the weekends, you didn’t feel bad calling.”
“We also carpooled, which was a help,” said Lilley, “as it was five trips a week for two years.
“Three years ago I would never have believed I would be going to college,” she said. “If Lisa wouldn’t have called me, I would never have come to school and would probably be at the mill. It’s been a great experience.”
For now, Clark is going to stay at home and do her husband’s books.
“He has his own trucking company now,” she said, “and he created a job for me. If a job opportunity in medical office administration presents itself and it works out for us, I’ll do it, but otherwise I’m going to stay home and do the books.”
Since graduation, Lilley has already had a job interview at The Aroostook Medical Center.
Maine Gov. John E. Baldacci was originally scheduled to address NMCC’s 47th graduating class, marking the seventh anniversary of his signing of the legislation that created the Maine Community College System. However, unforeseen circumstances prevented him from attending the event. Standing in for the governor was Rep. John L. Martin (D-Eagle Lake).
Martin has a long history of supporting higher education in the state. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1964, where he served an unprecedented 10 terms as speaker of the house, from 1975 to 1994. He went on to serve four terms in the State Senate from 2000 to 2008, and during that time served as assistant majority leader, before being reelected to the Maine House in November of 2008. In addition to his legislative duties, Martin is an assistant professor of political science and government at the University of Maine at Fort Kent.
“As a life-long supporter of higher education, I was proud to be on the front line of the creation of the Maine Community College System with Gov. Baldacci,” said Martin. “Northern Maine Community College, along with its sister colleges across the state, provides a wonderful opportunity for affordable, quality education for the residents of Maine to put people to work or get them started on their educational journey.”
Also speaking at commencement was NMCC’s “Student of the Year,” Robert Gagnon. The 57-year-old associate degree plumbing and heating program graduate, grandfather and former mill worker, accepted an early buyout from Fraser Papers when the St. John Valley facility downsized in the summer of 2007.
For Gagnon, attending college and earning a degree was a dream he had previously thought was derailed and unattainable. A 1970 graduate of Madawaska High School, he attended the University of Maine at Fort Kent for a semester, but left in early 1971 for a well-paying job at the Fraser mill.
“When I started this program, I never in a million years thought I would be selected Student of the Year. In high school, I was just an average student and my main goal was to graduate and possibly further my education or work at the Fraser Paper mill in Madawaska. But, things don’t always go as planned. This has been quite an undertaking for me, starting a new career at my age,” said Gagnon. “As we leave here today to begin new journeys, remember the most important lesson we’ve learned here – don’t let anyone discourage you from fulfilling your dreams. Most importantly, if you think to yourself that whatever you do doesn’t matter, think again – it does matter. I have followed my heart and have no regrets.”
NMCC President Timothy Crowley conferred 192 associate degrees and 51 certificates to members of the graduating class. In his remarks prior to presenting the awards, Crowley encouraged the students to become engaged citizens.
“As you leave NMCC today you are prepared to take the next important step toward your career. You are prepared to improve the quality of your life. You have a responsibility to take all that you have learned about yourself and your chosen field of study and help improve the lives of other, as well,” said Crowley. “Be involved in your community. Participate in the organization or community groups that will help shape the future of our children, our community, state and country. If you believe that change is needed, commit yourselves to being a positive change agent and do not doubt that you can make a difference.”
In addition to the graduates, Crowley also honored two members of the NMCC campus community. Retiring Betty Kent-Conant, who has served the college for three decades, first as a faculty member and later as department chair for nursing and allied health, was presented with faculty emerita status.
She is only the second individual to be presented with the honor in the five decades since NMCC was founded. Former NMCC President Durward Huffman was granted president emeritus status when he retired from the college in 2001.
Kent-Conant, of Fort Fairfield, is a highly regarded educator and leader in the health care profession in Maine. At the state level, she was appointed by former Maine Gov. Angus King to serve on the Maine State Board of Nursing in 1999 and reappointed to the board in 2003 by Gov. Baldacci. She also serves on the Associate Degree Nursing Council of Maine.
The President’s Award, which is presented annually during commencement exercises, was presented to Nancy Gagnon of Perham, a secretary in the college admissions office, who was lauded for her service to the campus.
The following students graduated May 15 from NMCC:
Associate in Applied Science Degree: * Kassandra Denise Dumais, Nichole C. James and * Marla D. Williamson, all of Presque Isle; Desiree Erica Lynn Chisholm and * Katie Marie Corriveau, both of Caribou; Shelby Lynn Hallett and * Jennifer Rebecca Holcombe, both of Bridgewater; Danielle Rae Clark, Mapleton; Megan Lynn Hebert, Madawaska; Shannon Marie Smart, New Sweden; * Wendy S. Merritt Spellman, Hodgdon; * Michelle Marie Tweedie, Mars Hill; Samantha Lee Emery White, Crystal; and SarahRuth Belle MacCormack, Quincy, Mass.
Certificate: Amanda Lee Crane, Houlton; Melanie Ann Forest, Smyrna Mills; and Carmen R. Tilley, Holden.
Associate in Applied Science Degree: Douglas Colburn Carlisle Jr. and Brandon R. Thompson, both of Presque Isle; Amelia M. Beil, Limestone; Matthew Stephen Bell, Mapleton; David P. Guy, Hodgdon; Lisa A. Hardy, Houlton; and Amysue Wasson Sawyer, Washburn.
Associate in Arts Degree: Evan Michael Bretzke, Lacey Jay Delano, Ashley Lynn Sarasin Hall, Kylie J. Porter and Mary E. Woollard, all of Presque Isle; * Elizabeth Marie Jalbert, Ashlee Marie Ouellette, * Laurie Ann Sirois, Katherine Marie Wilcox and Adriana G. Wing, all of Caribou; Michelle L. Doody, Washburn; Lisa-Marie Fletcher Mean, Blaine; and Robert J. Sines, Washburn.
Associate in Applied Science Degree: * Amy Sue Gagnon and Alyssa R. Murchison, both of Presque Isle.
Associate in Applied Science Degree: Nicole M. Churchill, * Matthew R. Dobson, Eric B. Gendreau and Debra J. Pelkey, all of Presque Isle; Adam Galen Dickinson and * Bonnie A. Turck, both of Caribou; Amy Marie Blanchard, Littleton; * John S. Drost, Washburn; Sandra Lynn Fournier, Mapleton; Brock M. Kingsbury, Bridgewater; Meggan Pratt, Houlton; and Pamela Sue Prue Rideout, Mars Hill.
Certificate: * Charlene C. Gage, Kim P. Michaud and * Samantha Ann Sheffield, all of Caribou; * Joanna Michelle LaFave and Virginia Lee Smith, both of Presque Isle; * Crystal Lane McLaughlin and Morgan Victoria Crosby Svitila, both of Mapleton; Jessica M. Chambers, Easton; * Lisa L. Clark, Garfield Plantation; Lisa A. Hardy, Houlton; * Trudy Adams Lilley, Masardis; Tasha N. Sock, Blaine; and Anne G. St. Onge, Grand Falls, N.B.
Associate in Applied Science Degree: April Marie Busse and Jessica M. Chambers, both of Easton; * Ashley Marie Ayotte, St. Agatha; * Lisa L. Clark, Garfield Plantation; Erin Elizabeth Farley; Caribou, * Trudy Adams Lilley, Masardis; Tasha N. Sock, Blaine; * Alyssa J. Symonds, Presque Isle; Kimberly Dawn Woodworth, Mapleton; and * Angela J. Green Ashworth, Wapske, N.B.
Certificate: April Marie Busse, Easton; Brittany Marie Hewitt, Presque Isle; Sara J. Hobbs, Mars Hill; and * Clara Jean Purvis, Limestone.
Associate in Applied Science Degree: Joseph A. Levesque III, Crystal; and Matthew McPherson, Fort Fairfield.
Certificate: Tammy Lee Tompkins, Houlton; Ryan T. Winslow, Mapleton; * Tyson D. Argue, Plaster Rock, N.B.; * Caleb M. Corbin, St. Alamo, N.B.; Ryan D. Jensen, Grand Falls, N.B.; Aaron A. McAllister, Three Brooks, N.B.; and Jessica Lynn Parish, Crombie Settlement, N.B.
Associate in Applied Science Degree: * Leah Ann Bates and Ashley Marie Merrill, both of Houlton; * Rachel Ann Ellis and Sandra M. Pictou, both of Mapleton; Whitney Leigh Haskell, Presque Isle; Jenni Lee Maynard, East Chapman; Carrie Rose Moro, Ashland; Michelle Nichole Perley, Fort Fairfield; and * Samantha Ann Sheffield, Caribou.
Associate in Science Degree: Kristi Lyn Brooker, Glenda Dee Capps, Becky Lynn Ford, Nicole Lynn Graves, Lindsey D. Kinney, Tammy R. Leach, Beth Ann Lint, Genine L. Piro and Janice E. Scott, all of Presque Isle; Samantha Dawn Emery, Brandi Nichole McEwen, Kimberly L. Mountain, * Natalia A. Mowrey, Julie M. Tribou and Miranda Mae Wilmot, all of Houlton; Jayme L. Bither and Michelle A. Gardner, both of Linneus; Sandra Michaud Dionne and * Tina Lynn Dionne, both of St. David; Shelley Marie Fulton and Kristi Lynne Ricker, both of Limestone; Lori L. Virtanen-Loggans and Paula Marie Pierce, both of Caribou; * Alexandria Elizabeth Dame, Mars Hill; Mark Joseph Goodale, Littleton; Andrea Margaret Long, Easton; Ashlei Rose Look, Jonesport; Denise Michelle Marquis, Millinocket; Olivia Joy McGary, Oakfield; Elizabeth Bryanne Pelkey, Mattamiscontis; * Martha M. Pelletier, Fort Fairfield; and * Jennifer Elizabeth Tweedie, Blaine.
Also graduating from the nursing program from New Brunswick were * Teena Elizabeth McCarthy and A. Gail Paul, both of Woodstock; Virginia R. Horsman, Moncton; Carrie Elizabeth Kelly, Perth-Andover; Derek David Clifford Schriver, Rosedale; and Sarah Joanne Upton, Centerville.
Certificate: Michael Anthony DiVito Jr., Woodland.
Associate in Applied Science Degree: Jonathan C. Bishop, Island Falls.
Certificate: Floyd Preston Tracy Jr., Woodland.
Associate in Applied Science Degree: Thomas James Anderson, David Russell Holmes and Cecilia Nicole Wiggins, all of Presque Isle; Jared Anthony Hodgins, Greenbush; Adam Lambert, Shapleigh; Tyler David Martin, Stockholm; * Betsey E. McPherson, Litchfield; and Kurtis Perkins, Castle Hill.
Associate in Applied Science Degree: Adam Daniel Cormier and Ryan James Lagasse, both of Grand Isle; Aaron James Cyr and Brandon Thomas McAfee, both of Houlton; David E. Charette, St. John Plantation; Jesse William Clark, Presque Isle; Joshua L. Fortin, Biddeford; * Samuel J. Howard, Mercer; and Norman C. Johndro, Caribou.
Associate in Applied Science Degree: Steven Walter Blanchette and * Elizan James McLean, both of Presque Isle; Darrell W. Barton Sr., Houlton; and Benjamin Dale Williamson, Plaster Rock, N.B.
Certificate: * Lucas Wayne Ireland, Mapleton; and Justin Edward Lyshon, Bangor.
Computer Electronics
Associate in Applied Science Degree: Daniel Bruce MacFarline and Brandan G. Pinchott, both of Presque Isle; Daniel Williams Butts, Mapleton; Mark Luther Cyr, Caribou; * Tadd Allen Devoe, Limestone; * Joseph Daniel Gilley, West Enfield; Brian Paul Kingsbury, Houlton; and Jeff M. Thuo, Randolph, Mass.
Associate in Applied Science Degree: Kyle Stephen Chapman and Tyler W. Cousins, both of Presque Isle; Nathan A. Calden and Craig M. Hamann, both of Rumford; Matthew John Blodget, Easton; Gard Lawrence Castonguay, Leeds; Joyime J. Deschaine, Fort Kent; Jeffery Ernest Gresko, Amity; Ryan James Lagasse, Grand Isle; Brian Earl Stover Jr., Winter Harbor; Dylan J. Stubbs, Merrill; and Joshua Christopher Wain, Perham.
Associate in Applied Science Degree: Jesse Garland Caron, * Zachary W. Dinsmore, Carlin Aaron Dubay, David Adam Levasseur and * Tyler James Theriault, all of Caribou; Dustin V. Cyr and Karter Fletcher Larrabee, both of Presque Isle; * Michael E. Berube and Justin Mark Dionne, both of Madawaska; Kevin Philip Noel Demmons and * Lance Robert Getchell, both of Milford; Parker Bradford Brown, Mapleton; * Audrey Rae Charette, Smyrna Mills; Craig D. Cyr, St. David; Nathan Freeman Doughty, Sebego; Blake Forrester McCarthy, Bridgewater; Jeremy Eric Poulin, Ashland; Jared Andrew Reed, Wade; and James David Willis, Van Buren.
Certificate: Tade Alan Brooks, Augusta; Michael J. Folsom, Smyrna Mills; and Leo Morenault, Presque Isle.
Associate in Applied Science Degree: Leo Morenault and * Vincent S. Pelletier, both of Presque Isle; * Robert Gagnon, Madawaska; * Douglas O. Grant, Island Falls; Owen Cody Harris, Fort Fairfield; Justin Edward Lyshon, Bangor; Thomas Boyce Malena, Masardis; Cory James McGowan, Norridgewock; and * Glen Elwood Peterson, New Sweden.
Certificate in plumbing and a certificate in heating: Emery Lucas Lincoln, Littleton.
Associate in Applied Science Degree: Peter Stirling Gagne, Winthrop; Randel Joseph Richard Jr., Presque Isle; and Matt Robbert Murchison, Perth Andover, N.B.
Associate in Applied Science Degree: * Ethan Robert Garceau, * Nicholas Roy Paul Grover and Samuel Stanley Schmal, all of Wiscasset; Matthew Roland Guimond and * Lucas Wayne Ireland, both of Mapleton; Ivan Scott Fletcher, St. David; Samuel Beal Harris, Washburn; Matthew John McEwen, Linneus; Samuel Joseph Sjostedt, Stockholm; * Damien Lee Tetlow, Caribou; * Gail Dawn Thibault, Chapman; and Floyd Preston Tracy Jr., Woodland.
Certificate: Eric Daniel Bernier, Frenchville; and Derek B. Demerchant, Presque Isle.
Certificate: Justin Nicholas Adams, Jesse Garland Caron and Brandon A. Ellis, all of Caribou; Kyle Wayne Cunningham and Henry Arthur Long, both of Fort Fairfield; Zane Bussiere, Woodland; Jacob I. Cobb, Ashland; Matthew Thomas Kilcollins, Mars Hill; * Jonathan Parent, Eagle Lake; Jarek Dean Pomerleau, Smithfield; Frank Stickney, Presque Isle; Matthew Forbes Turnbull, New Sweden; and Eli Jacob Williams, Bradley.
