T-R PHOTO BY SUSANNA MEYER — The Marshalltown Community College (MCC) graduating class of 2022 made their entrance into the student activity center on Friday night as “Pomp and Circumstance” filtered through the room.

As “Pomp and Circumstance” began playing and the Marshalltown Community College (MCC) 2022 graduates started their procession into the student activity center on Friday night, students waved at their families and friends who had come to support them on this momentous occasion.

For the first time in two years, the MCC commencement ceremony was held in person to celebrate the accomplishments of the 2022 graduating class. The 2020 and 2021 graduating classes never got the experience, but they were invited to come and celebrate with the class of ’22. Many of them chose to do so.

Once the faculty and graduates were seated, the graduation ceremony kicked off with the presentation of the colors and the national anthem. MCC Provost Robin Lilienthal then took the time to welcome all in attendance and say a few words of wisdom to the graduates.

“We hope that you are meeting us tonight with the skills and confidence to take on new challenges and opportunities. Regardless of your future goals that will lead to your success, we are thrilled to have been a small part of your life’s experience and pleased to celebrate you this evening,” Lilienthal said. “Tonight, we are recognizing an amazing group of diverse men and women.”

Lilienthal noted the different paths each graduate took, whether attending MCC was the first step after high school or a choice made after working in a previous career. A total of 360 graduates were recognized, including 30 who completed their course work at the Iowa Valley Grinnell (IVG) campus.

“Be assured that you can count on your newly minted certificates, diplomas and degrees to assist you in reaching your goals as you transfer to another higher education institution or as you enter the workforce,” Lilienthal said. “Regardless of the journey you choose to explore next, I hope you will always look fondly upon your time at MCC or IVG and believe it has led you to great things.”

After Lilienthal finished speaking, MCC Dean of Academic Affairs Vincent Boyd introduced 2022 graduate Annalissa Haubrich, who delivered the commencement address. Haubrich graduated with an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts, and Boyd said she had been “a model student” since her arrival at MCC.

Haubrich graduated with a 3.94 Grade Point Average (GPA), and she will be transferring to Iowa State University in the fall on a $55,000 scholarship. During her address, she reflected on her time at MCC and expressed her pride in how she and the other graduates had made it through a difficult period in history.

“For most, this degree is a stepping stone for a brighter future, or a goal met. For others like me, this degree is also validation that we matter. It’s hope that life can be better. It’s proof to our children that big dreams can be achieved,” Haubrich said.

Haubrich congratulated the graduates and thanked the faculty and students for making her MCC experience a great one before turning it over to IVG Dean MaryAnne Nickle, who announced student awards and academic honors.

MCC Faculty Senate President Theresa Orlovsky also presented three retiring faculty members with honorary degrees.

After the special recognitions were completed, Iowa Valley Community College District (IVCCD) Chancellor Kristie Fisher conferred the degrees and diplomas onto the graduates, and Paul Pohlson, the vice president of the IVCCD Board of Directors, presented them to the graduates as they lined up to walk across the stage.

After all of the students had their diplomas in hand, they were instructed to move their tassels from the right side of their caps to the left side to signify their graduation. The faculty and graduates then exited the student activity center in procession and retired to the reception area just outside where they could mingle with family and friends.

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Contact Susanna Meyer at 641-753-6611 or smeyer@timesrepublican.com.