PORTLAND — For Susan Brume of Portland, it was college graduation No. 2.
Brume became a licensed practical nurse 20 years ago at what was then Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute.
She went back to the South Portland school – now known as Southern Maine Community College – 4 1/2 years ago to become a registered nurse.
After reaching that goal, Brume, 43, said Sunday that she was "excited to be getting on with my life."
Brume was one of more than 700 people to be awarded associate degrees and certificates from SMCC during an afternoon ceremony at the Cumberland County Civic Center.
U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, the commencement speaker, told graduates they made the right decision to attend college, despite being met with a shrunken job market at graduation.
Pingree urged graduates to get involved with clean energy technology, saying the state's economy would benefit from wind and tidal power.
"This is a time to do something different. Our economy actually needs some fresh approaches," she said.
Some graduates said they were confident the recession and shaky job market will improve before too long.
Emily Driscoll, 20, of Kennebunk earned a degree in early childhood education and plans to begin her job search while she works as a housekeeper this summer.
Driscoll said she hopes her desire to work outside Maine at some point will expand her search and make it easier to find a job.
"I could be anywhere," she said.
Driscoll said she plans to return to college, earn a bachelor's degree and someday be a school administrator.
"I am going to go back to school eventually," she said.
Returning to school meant sacrifices for Brume, who cut back her working hours at Maine Medical Center over the past two years to earn her degree. She advised other nontraditional students to keep pushing to complete their educations.
"You do what you have to do – you make it work," Brume said.
The event was SMCC's 62nd commencement ceremony.
Greggory M. Sevigny of Sanford was named Student of the Year, the highest honor awarded to a graduating student. Sevigny, who earned an associate degree in criminal justice, graduated with a 3.95 grade point average.
Staff Writer Elbert Aull can be contacted at 791-6325 or at:
eaull@pressherald.com
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