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Raise a glass for the college grads

Members of Monroe County Community College's Class of 2017.

Surrounded by family and friends, MCCC celebrated the hard work and dedication of 420 graduating students.

Held on a cool April 28 evening, the 2017 commencement ceremony was full of happiness, inspiration, and humor.

This year’s graduation was special in that it was the 50 commencement ceremony to take place since MCCC was founded.

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c.parentNode.insertBefore(cp, c); })(); GraduationThe class of 2017 is ready to go.cameramake Canonfocallength 22height 4000fnumber 3.5exposuretime 0.0333333351orientation 1flash 16originaldate 4/28/2017 10:15:09 PMwidth 6000cameramodel Canon EOS Rebel T6s"Earned not given."A proud graduate of MCCC’s nursing program.cameramake Canonfocallength 56height 4000fnumber 5.6exposuretime 0.008orientation 1flash 16originaldate 4/28/2017 10:16:20 PMwidth 6000cameramodel Canon EOS Rebel T6sProfessor Cheryl Johnston leads the way.Johnston was chosen to be the Honorary Grand Marshal of the 2017 graduation.cameramake Canonfocallength 135height 4000fnumber 5.6exposuretime 0.0125orientation 1flash 16originaldate 4/28/2017 10:19:59 PMwidth 6000cameramodel Canon EOS Rebel T6sThe 2017 graduates make their way in.cameramake Canonfocallength 85height 4000fnumber 5.6exposuretime 0.0125orientation 1flash 16originaldate 4/28/2017 10:21:23 PMwidth 6000cameramodel Canon EOS Rebel T6sThe College/Community Symphony Band plays "Pomp and Circumstance."The band is conducted by Mark Felder.cameramake Canonfocallength 56height 4000fnumber 5.6exposuretime 0.0125orientation 1flash 16originaldate 4/28/2017 10:24:50 PMwidth 6000cameramodel Canon EOS Rebel T6s2017 graduates.cameramake Canonfocallength 135height 4000fnumber 5.6exposuretime 0.0333333351orientation 1flash 16originaldate 4/28/2017 10:38:29 PMwidth 6000cameramodel Canon EOS Rebel T6sProfessor Cheryl Johnston addresses the graduates.Johnston was the Honorary Grand Marshal.cameramake Canonfocallength 135height 4000fnumber 5.6exposuretime 0.02orientation 1flash 16originaldate 4/28/2017 10:38:42 PMwidth 6000cameramodel Canon EOS Rebel T6sGraduates watch while Clayton Blackwell speaks.cameramake Canonfocallength 135height 4000fnumber 5.6exposuretime 0.025orientation 1flash 16originaldate 4/28/2017 10:38:55 PMwidth 6000cameramodel Canon EOS Rebel T6s"It’s right to think that we would take a little bit of the personality of the college with us, wherever we go,"Clayton Blackwell addresses fellow graduates.cameramake Canonfocallength 103height 4000fnumber 5.6exposuretime 0.025orientation 1flash 16originaldate 4/28/2017 10:44:39 PMwidth 6000cameramodel Canon EOS Rebel T6s"Standing in front of you today, I had every reason to quit. But that’s not what I did."Jennifer Cline shared her inspiring story with her fellow graduates.cameramake Canonfocallength 135height 4000fnumber 5.6exposuretime 0.0333333351orientation 1flash 16originaldate 4/28/2017 10:51:45 PMwidth 6000cameramodel Canon EOS Rebel T6sMembers of the faculty watch the Agora Chorale perform.cameramake Canonfocallength 98height 4000fnumber 5.6exposuretime 0.008orientation 1flash 16originaldate 4/28/2017 11:06:23 PMwidth 6000cameramodel Canon EOS Rebel T6sMCCC’s 50th annual commencement ceremony.cameramake Canonfocallength 98height 4000fnumber 5.6exposuretime 0.008orientation 1flash 16originaldate 4/28/2017 11:06:31 PMwidth 6000cameramodel Canon EOS Rebel T6sSoon to be MCCC Alumni.cameramake Canonfocallength 50height 4000fnumber 5exposuretime 0.0166666675orientation 1flash 16originaldate 4/28/2017 11:09:44 PMwidth 6000cameramodel Canon EOS Rebel T6sMCCC graduates.cameramake Canonfocallength 72height 4000fnumber 5.6exposuretime 0.01orientation 1flash 16originaldate 4/28/2017 11:09:48 PMwidth 6000cameramodel Canon EOS Rebel T6sMembers of the class of 2017.cameramake Canonfocallength 97height 4000fnumber 5.6exposuretime 0.0125orientation 1flash 16originaldate 4/28/2017 11:09:57 PMwidth 6000cameramodel Canon EOS Rebel T6s"JV Out."cameramake Canonfocallength 78height 4000fnumber 5.6exposuretime 0.02orientation 1flash 16originaldate 4/28/2017 11:10:02 PMwidth 6000cameramodel Canon EOS Rebel T6sA student receives her diploma from President Kojo Quartey.cameramake Canonfocallength 50height 4000fnumber 5exposuretime 0.025orientation 1flash 16originaldate 4/28/2017 11:10:57 PMwidth 6000cameramodel Canon EOS Rebel T6s"Graduates get your cool sunglasses."cameramake Canonfocallength 76height 4000fnumber 5.6exposuretime 0.0166666675orientation 1flash 16originaldate 4/28/2017 11:13:57 PMwidth 6000cameramodel Canon EOS Rebel T6sCool sunglasses.cameramake Canonfocallength 103height 4000fnumber 5.6exposuretime 0.0125orientation 1flash 16originaldate 4/28/2017 11:14:05 PMwidth 6000cameramodel Canon EOS Rebel T6sProfessor Joanna Sabo reads the names of the graduates.cameramake Canonfocallength 76height 4000fnumber 5.6exposuretime 0.01orientation 1flash 16originaldate 4/28/2017 11:23:39 PMwidth 6000cameramodel Canon EOS Rebel T6sDan Shaw prepares to read Joseph Abrams name.Abrams graduated Summa Cum Laude (3.9 – 4.0 GPA)cameramake Canonfocallength 42height 4000fnumber 4.5exposuretime 0.0166666675orientation 1flash 16originaldate 4/28/2017 11:25:39 PMwidth 6000cameramodel Canon EOS Rebel T6sClayton Blackwell pauses for a photo with President Kojo Quartey.Blackwell gave the student address and also graduated Summa Cum Laude (3.9 – 4.0 GPA)cameramake Canonfocallength 50height 4000fnumber 5exposuretime 0.02orientation 1flash 16originaldate 4/28/2017 11:26:25 PMwidth 6000cameramodel Canon EOS Rebel T6sGrayson Bacarella receives his diploma from President Kojo Quartey,Bacarella was the 2016-17 Student Government President.cameramake Canonfocallength 50height 4000fnumber 5exposuretime 0.02orientation 1flash 16originaldate 4/28/2017 11:26:46 PMwidth 6000cameramodel Canon EOS Rebel T6sThe Agora Chorale perfoms "I Believe I Can Fly."cameramake Canonfocallength 135height 4000fnumber 5.6exposuretime 0.008orientation 1flash 16originaldate 4/28/2017 11:05:51 PMwidth 6000cameramodel Canon EOS Rebel T6sGraduates line up in preparation of the processional.cameramake Canonfocallength 35height 4000fnumber 5.6exposuretime 0.008orientation 1flash 16originaldate 4/28/2017 10:15:57 PMwidth 6000cameramodel Canon EOS Rebel T6s

Vice President Grace Yackee gave students a little taste of what the world was like when MCCC's first graduates received their diplomas back in 1967.

“The median household income was $7,743 and automobile gasoline was 34 cents,” she said to gasps of disbelief.

She also spoke about the alumni network that tonight’s graduates would be joining.

“The 420 students graduating this evening will join 18,589 proud recipients of degrees and certificates from Monroe County Community College,” Yackee said.

The night’s Honorary Grand Marshal was Professor Cheryl Johnston, who is retiring after teaching at MCCC for 34 years.

She reminded the students of what the night was all about.

“Tonight is your night,” she said. “This is a big achievement. You should be very proud.”

Two students, Clayton Blackwell, whose grandmother was part of MCCC’s first graduating class, and Jennifer Cline addressed their fellow graduates.

“It’s right to think that we would take a little bit of the personality of the college with us, wherever we go,” Blackwell said. “Whether that’s into the workforce or it’s on to further studies.”

Cline, who came back to school after The Great Recession left her jobless, spoke of the obstacles she overcame.

“It has taken me eight years to earn my Associate’s Degree. During those years, I relocated, changed majors, survived cancer, and worked full time to support my family,” Cline said. “Standing in front of you today, I had every reason to quit. But that’s not what I did.”

After the Agora Chorale performed a beautiful rendition of “I Believe I Can Fly,” the 2017 graduates lined up and received their diplomas from President Kojo Quartey.

Graduate Taylor Apker enjoyed the evening.

“Graduation was really fun and it was great seeing all the faces I don’t get to see often,” she said. “I’ve been with MCCC for five years and went through every life changing point while I attended school here.”

Apker went on to sing the praises of MCCC.

“It’s a great place to start, especially if you don’t know what you want to do. I’ve met so many professors and students here who have helped decide my future steps and solidify who I am today,” she said. “I am so happy about the five years I spent at MCCC and will always think back on them.”