NASHUA – Celebrating the 50th Commencement Ceremony for NCC, the Class of 2021 comprised 245 associate degree and certificate graduates, with more than 150 attending in person Friday, May 14.

“I could not find it more fitting that this class be the 50th graduating class of NCC as you reflect the values we embrace: courage, resilience, excellence and hope. As a class, you brought much purpose and humility into our lives during the most challenging time in our 50-year history,” said President Lucille Jordan in her commencement address. “We as an institution hold a deeper understanding of the resilience of our students, and the day-to-day struggles to keep up during such a time of challenges. You have been an inspiration to all. You rose up.”

Criminal Justice graduate and Student Senate President Dharma Paradis, spoke to her peers’ resilience and dedication to finding their way. “To everyone in the audience and watching at home: thank you for believing in us. And to my fellow graduates: thank you for believing in our community and yourselves. We all know what it took to get here today, and I am so proud of each and every one of us.”

Nursing graduate Tamara Amador said while the road to graduation was challenging, it inspired growth for the Class of 2021, “As cliché as it is, there’s no gain without a measure of pain, life is about gaining maturity, and you must be perfected by trials.”

Amador thanked faculty, family, and friends. “It took teamwork to survive this. We had each other’s backs, and I believe these are the kind of people who will always be there for us when we need them,” she said. “I look out at this graduating class, and myself, and I see a bright future ahead of us.”

The commencement ceremonies were split into two events Friday to allow for social distancing.

10 AM: Accounting, Management, Marketing, Small Business, Paralegal Studies, English, Communications, Sign Language, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Educator Prep, History & Political Science, Psychology, General Studies, Liberal Arts

1 PM: Culinary Arts, Mathematics, Computer Networking, Cybersecurity Networking, Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, Web Application Development, Metrology & Quality Control, Mechanical Design Technology, Automotive, Aviation Technology, Collision Repair, Honda Automotive, Holistic Massage Therapy, General Studies: Health, Nursing

A limited number of family and friends attended in person, with many watching a live stream broadcast from home. At the 10 AM ceremony, Business Accounting graduate Jessica Sennott was presented with the President’s Award for Academic Excellence. Computer Networking graduate Jessica Elkins received the President’s Award for Academic Excellence at the 1 PM ceremony.

About Nashua Community College

Since 1970, Nashua Community College has been successfully meeting the educational needs of Greater Nashua through high quality post-secondary education and accelerated career training. Graduates leave the college prepared to enter the workforce or transfer to a four-year institution and beyond. Nashua Community College works closely with industry partners to keep pace with changing technology and best practices. Partnerships with area businesses and organizations also provide students with internship and networking opportunities, allowing for real-world experiences to enrich their education. Students can choose from more than 50 associate degree, certificate, and workforce development programs. Nashua Community College is a member of the Community College System of New Hampshire. The seven community colleges in the system are committed to working with businesses throughout the state to train and retain employees to develop a robust workforce across all sectors and embraces the “65 by 25 Initiative,” which calls for 65 percent of New Hampshire citizens to have some form of postsecondary education by 2025 to meet future workforce demands. Learn more about Nashua Community College online at nashuacc.edu.

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