Graduation season continued in Maine this weekend, with nearly 1,300 students earning degrees from the University of New England in Portland and 246 graduating from Thomas College in Waterville.
At UNE’s commencement ceremony on Saturday, retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson delivered the keynote address, sharing insights from her military and post-service career. Johnson, the first woman to serve as superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy and the first female academy graduate named a Rhodes Scholar, also led referee operations for the NBA.
Johnson compared the “real world” to being a referee — embracing criticism, accepting personal limitations and showing up for every opportunity. “I hope that you will take time to reflect, remember who you are, and show up,” said Johnson.
You can watch the entire UNE commencement ceremony here.
Thomas College’s class of 2025 was its largest graduating class — 75 percent of whom graduated with honors, and 40 percent who identified as first-generation college students.
Keynote speaker was Betsy Biemann, chief executive officer of Coastal Enterprises, Inc., a community development financial institution headquartered in Brunswick.
You can watch Thomas College’s graduation ceremony here.
