Great Bay Community College celebrated its 80th Commencement on May 16 at its Portsmouth campus, conferring 288 degrees and certificates. Nearly 200 graduates participated in the
ceremony, cheered on by family and friends.
Great Bay opened its doors in 1945 as the State Trade School Portsmouth at the Morley Button Factory to teach new skills to veterans and adults returning to the workforce after World War II. Today, the College plays a vital role in workforce development and community engagement across the Seacoast.
Associate degrees and certificates were awarded to graduates of the Accounting, Analytics, Automotive Technology, Biological Science, Biotechnology, Business Administration, Leadership & Management, Sales and Digital Marketing, Chemistry, Computer Technologies, Criminal Justice, Cyber Security Infrastructure, Digital Media Communications, Early Childhood Education, Educator Preparation, Engineering, English, Environmental Science, History, Homeland Security & Emergency Management, Homeland Security, Hospitality, Event & Meeting Planning, Hotel and Restaurant Management, Spa Wellness Management, Information Systems Technology, Liberal Arts, Massage Therapy, Motorcycle Maintenance & Repair Technology, Nursing, Psychology, Surgical Technology, Technical Studies, Veterinary Technology and Welding Technologies programs.
The nursing, psychology, and business administration programs had the highest number of graduates.
Distinguished members of the College community and honored guests included Great Bay President Dr. Cheryl Lesser; student speaker Nicole McFarlane; Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) Board Trustee Alison Stebbins; CCSNH Chancellor Dr. Mark Rubinstein; Great Bay Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Maria Altobello; Vice President of Student Success and Enrollment Management Robert McGann; Vice President of Academic Affairs Lisa McCurley; CCSNH Board of Trustee Chair, Donnalee Lozeau; CCSNH Board Members, Sharon Harris and Nick Toumpas as well as GBCC Advisory Board Chair Casey Snyder and GBCC Board Members, Michelle Halligan-Foley, Ben VanCamp and Sean Clancy.
Dr. Lesser welcomed graduates, families, and friends. She congratulated the students on their accomplishments and thanked families and friends for their encouragement and support.
“This has been a very special year for Great Bay Community College as we celebrated our 80th anniversary,” Lesser said. “…and today we get to top off the year by celebrating with you, the graduating class of 2026.”
“This milestone of being part of the community for the past 80 years,” she continued, “is a testament to the generations of students, educators, and community members who believe in the transformative power of education. For eight decades, this college has opened doors, created opportunities, and helped individuals build better futures for themselves, their families, and our region.”
Dr. Lesser then urged the students to “use your voice with confidence” and “stay true to your values, discover your purpose, and let it guide you throughout your life.”
During the ceremony, Assistant Registrar Sara Lang was recognized for receiving the Chancellor’s Award for Service Excellence, in addition to Dr. Kim Williams, professor of biology and Chair of the Life and Physical Sciences Department, who received the Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence. Both awards were presented at an earlier event by CCSNH, Mark Rubinstein.
Adjunct Faculty member James Taylor was recognized for receiving the President’s Award for Outstanding Adjunct Faculty, and graduate Raven Burwell, who majored in studio art, received the President’s Award for Outstanding Student. Both awards were presented by Dr. Lesser at an earlier event.
This year’s award recipients of the President’s Award for Special Contributions were James Carroll, Accounting Technician Purchasing, Stock Clerk and the GBCC facilities team: Christopher Cummings, Dylan Follansbee, Scott Stadig, and John Vermette.
Student speaker and 2026 nursing program graduate Nicole McFarlane told the gathering that Great Bay prepared her for a fulfilling, rewarding career, providing a solid foundation of skills and a supportive community.
She moved to New Hampshire with her two children after living in Alaska. She put herself through school to become a Licensed Nursing Assistant and started working full-time at Portsmouth Hospital.
She was motivated to become a nurse by her children and her desire to help her patients. “Every day I worked at the hospital, I found myself wishing I could do more to help people,” said McFarlane.
“While attending Great Bay, I learned how to be a student as a 35-year-old, single mother, adjusting to a new life. I was welcomed into a community of staff and fellow nursing students who reminded me, on a daily basis, that I have what it takes to make it to this podium,”
said McFarlane, who plans to attend the Nurse Residency program at Cape Cod Hospital in Massachusetts. “I learned nursing skills that I will use for the rest of my career.
But most importantly, I learned that I am capable of doing more than I ever thought possible.”