PRESQUE ISLE – With a long line of people waiting Saturday morning to get into Northern Maine Community College’s gymnasium, even as students began their processional for the 43rd annual commencement exercises, college officials called this graduation crowd one of the biggest they’ve ever seen.

About 220 students graduated from NMCC over the weekend, receiving associate degrees, diplomas and certificates, and officials estimated that about 1,300 to 1,400 family members and friends attended to watch the students receive them.

Heather Branscom, who received her associate degree in applied science in early childhood education, stood at the head of the processional just minutes before a pair of bagpipers led college administrators, faculty and the student body from the Christie building to the gym.

Branscom admitted that the strongest emotion she felt Saturday was relief but that it was closely matched with gratitude. She said that after graduation, she plans to transfer to the University of Maine at Farmington to earn her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, then move on to her master’s degree. Branscom said she owes a great deal to the college for starting her out on that path.

“If not for NMCC, I don’t know what I would be doing,” she said. “I just picked it [early childhood degree program] out of the blue. I didn’t know I’d love it this much. For students up here, this college is a great starting point. You can kind of find yourself here.”

Brian Hamel – who founded Hamel Enterprises LLC, has served as a Maine Community College System trustee for several years and is former president and CEO of Loring Development Authority of Maine – gave the commencement address Saturday and echoed those sentiments.

“In my opinion, NMCC is the shining star of the MCCS system. NMCC’s management, faculty and staff are constantly being looked at as an example of how things should be done, and you as students and now graduates are beneficiaries of their collective fine work,” Hamel said. “It has been my pleasure and honor to serve as your representative on the MCCS board, and I hope I played a small role in enhancing your educational experience.”

After conferring 238 degrees, diplomas and certificates, President Timothy Crowley announced the winner of this year’s President’s Award, presented annually to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the college.

Daryl Boucher, a faculty member in the nursing and allied health department and coordinator of the college’s emergency medical services program, received the award. In the past year, Crowley said, Boucher has been instrumental in planning for two new college programs in medical assisting and medical coding, which NMCC officials plan to present to the MCCS board of trustees for future approval.

Also during the graduation ceremony, Renee Eager, who earned an associate degree in science in the paraeducation program, gave this year’s student address after being elected by her peers for the honor.

The mother of two special-needs children talked about how life is like a jigsaw puzzle.

“I am sure that most of you have had to search for the missing piece in your lives,” she said. “College is just one crucial piece to the puzzle of our lives. We should never stop searching for the parts that will make our lives whole.”

She challenged students to keep searching for the missing pieces and to solve their puzzles energetically.

“Never lose sight of your goals, challenge yourselves to find the answers, work hard doing so, and above all, have fun!” she said.