Northern Maine Community College Celebrates Class of 2026 During 61st Commencement Ceremony

Northern Maine Community College celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2026 on Saturday during the College's 61st commencement ceremony, awarding degrees and certificates to more than 200 graduates.

For the first time in over a decade, commencement ceremonies returned to the NMCC campus, with graduates, families, faculty, staff, and community members gathering in the college gymnasium to celebrate the occasion. In recent years, commencement exercises had been held at The Forum in Presque Isle.

To better accommodate graduates and guests, the College held two ceremonies throughout the day, representing programs across the institution.

"This year's commencement was especially meaningful as we welcomed graduates and their families back to campus to celebrate this important milestone," said Doug Binsfeld, president of NMCC. "The Class of 2026 represents determination, resilience, and the future workforce of our region and state. We are incredibly proud of all they have accomplished."

The ceremonies featured remarks from NMCC leadership, student speakers, and community leaders, including Hon. Joyce Maker of the Maine Community College System Board of Trustees.

Joshua Scheff, a graduate of the Network Administration & Cybersecurity program and the College's 2026 Student of the Year, delivered the student address.

Commencement speaker Gina LeBlanc-Eggert, chair of the NMCC Foundation and manager of the Customer Contact Center for Versant Power, encouraged graduates as they begin the next chapter of their personal and professional journeys.

The return of commencement to campus created an opportunity for graduates and families to celebrate in the heart of the college community while highlighting the continued growth and momentum at NMCC.

Professional commencement photos from Saturday's ceremonies will be made available online for graduates and families in the coming days. Information will be shared through NMCC social media channels and email communications once the gallery is available.