NMCC Alumni and Friends
celebrate first year of success
PRESQUE ISLE — The Northern Maine Community College Alumni and Friends Organization recently gathered to celebrate a year of success with an evening of good food, friends and a history lesson. Joining the alumni gathered were a number of college employees and community members.
This year the organization held its second annual meeting to elect officers and reflect on the first year’s achievements. The evening began with a social, followed by a special presentation by Kim Smith from the Presque Isle Historical Society. She shared NMCC’s rich history and talked about the former Army Air Base, which was located where the college sits today. The presentation, entitled “The Rich Heritage of NMCC,” featured a variety of historic photos from the base, as well as the college through the years. The special event showcased the history of the grounds that now serve as home to the campus.
Photo courtesy of Northern Maine Community College
MEMBERS OF THE 2011-12 NMCC Alumni & Friends Organization board of directors are, from left, front row: Timothy Crowley, NMCC president; Gisele McDonald of Caribou, treasurer; Scott Carlin of Mapleton, president; Heidi Graham of Mapleton, vice president; and Tomi Henderson of Mars Hill, secretary. Other members of the board are, back row: Judy Hilton of Presque Isle, Guy Jackson of Presque Isle, Mark Bouchard of Caribou, Jonathan Post of Presque Isle, Dennis Albert of Presque Isle, Janet Kelle of Chapman, Cindy Albert of Presque Isle, Virginia Joles of Mapleton, Sylvia Forte of Houlton, Michael Thibodeau of Presque Isle, Kerry Gordon of Fort Fairfield, Emily Smith of Presque Isle, Mary Michaud of Mapleton, Wendy Bradstreet of Bridgewater and Dustin Graham of Mapleton. Absent when the photo was taken were Gary Cleaves of Tennessee, Mark Kelley of Mapleton, Michael Kelley Jr. of Washburn, Michael Kelley Sr. of Washburn, Joyce Knorr of Caribou, Tammy Putnam of Presque Isle, Shannon Smart of New Sweden, Tim Todd of Caribou and LaNiece Winslow of Presque Isle.
The evening also included an annual business meeting for the Alumni and Friends Organization board. Prior to this meeting, the nomination committee proposed a slate of new members for election and re-election.
Candidates for re-election 2011-12 for a three-year term included Dennis Albert, Scott Carlin, Gary Cleaves, Kerry Gordon, Heidi Graham, Judy Hilton, Virginia Joles, Mary Michaud, Emily Smith and Tim Todd.
A number of new directors were also elected to the board. Elected for a full three-year term were Dusty Graham, Joyce Knorr, Shannon Smart and Michael Thibodeau. Elected to fill vacancies on the board were Wendy Bradstreet, Jonathan Post and LaNiece Winslow, for two-year terms; and Mark Kelley, Michael Kelley Jr. and Michael Kelley Sr. for one-year terms.
Photo courtesy of Northern Maine Community College
PATRICIA SUTHERLAND was the recipient of this year’s NMCC Alumni & Friends Organization’s Torchbearer Award for all she has done over the years to help alumni of the college. Upon being presented the award by NMCC President Timothy Crowley, both shared some amusing anecdotes of their time working together at the college.
Elected to continue their terms as officers of the board were: Scott Carlin, president; Heidi Graham, vice president; Gisele McDonald, treasurer; and Tomi Henderson, secretary.
The evening events concluded with the awarding of the Torchbearer Award. The honor is bestowed annually by the NMCC Alumni and Friends Organization on an individual who, consistent with the definition of the word torchbearer, is someone in the forefront of a campaign, crusade or movement.
The 2011 Torchbearer Award was presented to Patricia Sutherland, former NMCC director of development and college relations. In addition to being responsible for promoting the college and raising funds for student scholarships and other institutional needs, Sutherland was in charge of alumni relations during her tenure at the college.
“Pat worked very hard to always make the public face of NMCC shine throughout the Aroostook County community during her 25 years on campus. Her efforts made it all look so seamless, when in reality she worked tirelessly to help move the college forward,” said NMCC President Tim Crowley. “She is a most deserving recipient of the torchbearer award and our gratitude for all she has done for the alumni of this institution.”
