MCCC’s graduating class of 2015 will send their caps flying in the Health Education Building on Friday, May 1, at 7 p.m.
Through April 21, 182 students have signed up to participate in the ceremony.
“I’m going to miss them all,” Registrar Tracy Vogt said.
Lana Shryock, retiring professor of computer information systems, will serve as the honorary grand marshal.
Best-selling author and founder of J.D. Hunter Associates, James C. Hunter, will address the graduating class about “Leadership and Choices.”
English professor Carrie Nartker, class of 1996 graduate, will be honored as the alumnus of the year and also will address the graduating class.
Board member Jim DeVries attends a local church with Hunter and coordinated a conversation with the speaker and President Kojo Quartey.
Hunter was invited by Quartey to present a leadership workshop to the administration. Unable to pay Hunter’s fees, the college decided to partner with the speaker to create a scholarship, Quartey said.
“When I realized I could get him for free, I asked him to address the graduating class,” Quartey joked.
Hunter is a renowned leadership expert who assists organizations in many parts of the world in grasping and implementing the principles of servant leadership. Hunter has authored two internationally bestselling books that have sold well over 4.5 million copies worldwide.
Historically, there have been two student speakers at every graduation ceremony. An occupational student and a transfer student have addressed the graduating class.
The tradition ended last year with the 50th anniversary graduation ceremony. Paul W. Smith, a Detroit radio personality and Ronald Campbell, the college’s first president, addressed the graduating class.
The decision to omit student speakers at this year’s ceremony continues the new trend.
