Dr. Susan W. Martin, president of Eastern Michigan University, was the guest speaker and provided the Commencement Address. Amelia Nelson, a member of the Class of 2009 and president of the college’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society for community college’s, provided the student reflection.

     Gregory J. Stempien, chair of the Board of Trustees presented the Distinguished Alumni Recognition to members of the Bill (deceased) and Shirley Reid family of Livonia. All six of their children attended and graduated from Schoolcraft College and have gone on to have successful careers in education, health care, engineering and energy. The children include Britt C. Reid, Ann Arbor; Mardi Reid Cragel, Livonia; Kalli K. Reid, Canton; Crisi Reid Seedott, Northville; Raini Reid Gilmore, Livonia; and Brion A. Reid, Indianapolis.

     Graduates were honored for their pursuit and completion of a wide range of associate degrees in arts, applied science, engineering, general studies and science; post-associate certificates and skill certificates in a number of areas. Nearly 60 percent of this year’s graduating class from Schoolcraft College plan to transfer to a four-year university.

     In addition to the general commencement ceremony on May 2 a special Pinning Ceremony for the Nursing programs 81 graduates was held in the VisTaTech Center on Thursday, April 30; and the Public Safety fire and police programs celebrated their commencement in the Physical Education building on the college’s Livonia campus on Friday, May 1 honoring 120 graduates.