In a tradition that has lasted nearly a century, Bowdoin College students competed to speak at graduation ceremonies. This year’s honor went to the private school’s oldest graduate, 72-year-old Christine DeTroy of Brunswick.

DeTroy was among the nearly 900 graduates of Bowdoin and Colby colleges who received their degrees during the weekend. In addition, 89 students received degrees at the University of Maine School of Law on Saturday.

In her address to fellow graduates, DeTroy said her Bowdoin education began in September 1947. She explained that she graduated from Bowdoin 51 years after her husband did, and 31 years after her son.

State Sen. Joel Abromson, R-Portland, a 1960 graduate of Bowdoin, welcomed the graduates and their guests before 432 bachelor of arts degrees were awarded.

Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Maxine Kumin, formerly poet laureate of New Hampshire; and former U.S. Sen. Paul Simon of Carbondale, Ill., were among those who received honorary degrees.

In Waterville, the Rev. Peter Gomes, Plummer professor of Christian morals and Pusey minister at Harvard University’s Memorial Church, addressed 466 graduates Sunday. “If you attempt something worth failing in, which is the amendment of your own life, you will join that multitude of the wise who are a blessing to the world, a blessing to one another and a blessing to themselves,” Gomes said.

In Portland, former Maine Attorney General James E. Tierney, a 1975 graduate of the University of Maine School of Law, addressed graduates. He advised graduates to “travel and engage in relationships that challenge rather than sedate you” and to “be mindful of the developments in our society regardless of whether they directly impact the cases before you.”