GCC celebrates graduates

By MEGAN HUGHES

news@yourdailyglobe.com

Ironwood - The Gogebic Community College 90th commencement ceremony was held on Friday in the Lindquist Student and Conference Center gymnasium.

The ceremony began with a welcome from GCC President Chris Patritto. This was Patritto's first graduation ceremony as the president of GCC, and he made it memorable, talking about various experiences he had in the weeks leading up to the ceremony.

This year's commencement address was by GCC alumni Ian Lewis. Lewis graduated in 2016 and is a third generation graduate from the college. He spoke about how important of an influence that GCC was in his life, and how much it meant to him to be brought in as the speaker this year.

According to Lewis, in preparation for giving the address, he watched numerous other speakers' recordings, writing down notes about what he liked from each of them, and phrases that he found interesting that he might want to use in his own..

"That is not why they asked me to be your speaker," said Lewis. "I was not asked to give a perfect speech here today or to try to be someone or something that I am not. I was asked here because like many of you I have a unique story that allowed me to become a college graduate."

Lewis went on to speak about the importance of the memories that the graduates would take into the future and recalled a few of his own, including commenting on how he had taken a public speaking course at the college.

Following the commencement speech, and a selection of music from the Gogebic Range Concert Band, Dr. Jennifer Sabourin recognized the many students who received honors this year.

The conferring of degrees and presentation of graduates was performed by David Darrow, Vice President of Academic Services, and Board of Trustees Secretary John Luppino.

Board Chairman Susan Beals presented the diplomas to graduates as they made their way across the stage to shake Patritto's hand.

Following the graduation ceremony, families and friends were invited to stick around and celebrate in the upper level of the Lindquist Center for a social hour.