Courtesy photo Two Nashua Community College grads chat briefly while getting in line for the start of Saturday's 49th commencement.

NASHUA – Four months after completing their programs in May, members of Nashua Community College’s Class of 2020 celebrated graduation in-person on Saturday.

In order to achieve social distancing required by COVID-19 safety regulations, the 105 graduates who attended were split between a morning and afternoon ceremony.

A total of 288 students graduated this year, but many have moved on to launch careers or transfer to four-year programs, and were thus unable to attend Saturday’s ceremony.

The twin ceremonies marked NCC’s 49th commencement. It is currently observing the 50th anniversary of its founding.

Student speaker Julissa Castro addressed both groups, and praised the strength and persistence of the Class of 2020.

Courtesy photo Staff and administrators of Nashua Community College begin the recessional march at one of the twin commencements the college held Saturday.

“It is moments like this that you must be ready to face the challenges and come with back up ways of reaching your goal, and if the backup fails then you must come up with a backup for the backup, but you must never cease trying,” Castro told her fellow graduates.

Castro, a student senate officer who earned the 2020 Student Engagement Award, graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in English.

She is attending John Cabot University in Rome.

“If we have learned something about this year, it’s that we need to constantly improve our way of living, fight for what is right, and make sure everyone has an equal and fair chance,” Castro said.

She urged the Class of 2020 to “dream big, never stop fighting, and work hard. You have the power to change your world and the world of those around you.”

Courtesy photo An inspirational message and daisies adorn a Nashua Community College graduate's cap at Saturday's 49th commencement.

Jeremy Hitchcock, chairman of the Community College System of New Hampshire Board of Trustees, also addressed graduates.

“This world is now changed forever,” Hitchcock said. “No matter how quickly or how long it takes for normalcy to come back, it’s going to be different. But all of you are prepared to be pillars in your community.”

NCC president Lucille Jordan acknowledged the obstacles students had to overcome leading up to graduation as they were teaching their children at home, working and serving as essential workers, and balancing classwork.

“You demonstrated your ability to learn with your arms wide open,” she told the graduates.

As part of her presentation, Jordan recognized Mark Lutton and William Allen with the President’s Award for Academic Excellence. Both graduated with a 4.0 grade point average.

Courtesy photo Nashua Community College graduate Julissa Castro, a student senate officer who earned the 2020 Student Engagement Award, was the student speaker at the school's 49th commencement Saturday.

Jordan recalled the beginning last spring of remote learning, when, she said, students stayed in touch with the campus community through virtual meetings and student check-ins.

“We built a caring community that supports one another,” she said, pointing out one particular Zoom meeting where a nursing student reported the difficulty healthcare workers had accessing food during their shifts as COVID-19 closed cafes and food vending areas. The students reacted by organizing food drives for healthcare workers.

“This class embraced the concept of the ‘new normal’ … you had little choice, but you did it,” Jordan said.

“Each student before us is a shining star in their own right, evidenced by the credential they earned today – because you stood tall.”

“We look forward to the contributions you will make to our great state and our country,” Jordan added. “Now go out, stand tall, and let the magic happen.”

Courtesy photo Nashua Community College president Lucille Jordan addresses the Class of 2020 at Saturday's in-person commencement held outdoors at the school.

Tina Forbes is the Campus Communication Specialist at Nashua Community College.

Courtesy photo Some of the Nashua Community College graduates at Saturday's twin commencement ceremonies await the signal to take their seats at the start of one of the proceedings.

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