ALLEGANY COLLEGE OF MARYLAND SELECTS STUDENT SPEAKERS FOR MAY 15 COMMENCEMENT
CUMBERLAND, Md. (May 5, 2021) – Three hundred and ten Allegany College of Maryland
students are expected to earn approximately 392 degrees and certificates during the
college’s virtual spring commencement ceremony at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 15. The
college selected four students to provide the traditional student address: Emily Imgrund,
Bedford, Veronica McMillian, Oldtown, Rachel Mickle, Woodbury, and Jennifer Thomas,
Cumberland. The ceremony will be streamed on ACM’s Facebook page @alleganycollegeofmaryland
and later posted to the college’s YouTube channel @theACMutube.
Emily Imgrund, a Teacher Education major, graduated from Bedford High School in 2018. She knew
at the age of five that she wanted to be a teacher. An active member of the Omicron
Pi chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society at ACM, Imgrund served
as the organization’s Vice President of Fellowship and appeared on the college’s Dean’s
List. She will be a transfer student and elementary education major at Frostburg State
University this fall and aspires to one day teach near her home state of Pennsylvania.
In her speech, Imgrund discusses growing up as the daughter of an ACM employee and
viewing the college as her “playground” as a child. She shares how the college banded
together to support her, like only family can, during a health crisis, and her experiences
as a student. If she could offer advice to future ACM students, Imgrund would encourage
them to strive to improve their time management skills early in their college career.
Veronica McMillian, a Cybersecurity major, graduated from Allegany High School and the Center for Career
and Technical Education (CCTE) in 2019. She articulated five courses from CCTE to
ACM to jumpstart her college career and earn her associate degree in only one year.
McMillian credits Mike Dignan, an Allegany County Public Schools Instructor, for going
above and beyond to create a family environment in his IT classes at CCTE, and Richard
“Dick” Soderman, an ACM assistant professor in computer technology, for his advising
help and career encouragement. A first-generation college student, she chose ACM because
of its location and reputation (and the fact that her aunt was also an ACM student)
and found support from her instructors not only in her classes but in preparing for
job interviews. She is a member of ACM’s Omicron Pi chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa
International Honor Society and appeared on the college’s Dean’s List. After gaining
experience in the tech industry, McMillian plans to pursue her bachelor’s degree.
In her speech, McMillian talks about overcoming challenges like fears, time and sometimes
sleep to achieve one’s life goals.
Rachel Mickle, a Multimedia Technology major, graduated from Northern Bedford County High School
in 2018. After taking a gap year, she enrolled at ACM after family suggested that
the multimedia technology program might help her grow her creative talents. She was
hooked immediately. Mickle lived in the college’s on-campus housing complex, Willowbrook
Woods, and pushed herself to embrace student life activities. She became active member
of the Omicron Pi chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, appeared
on the Dean’s List, and was an ACM Foundation scholarship recipient. She was elected
the 2020-2021 Maryland/DC president for the Phi Theta Kappa Middle States Region.
She will be a transfer student and graphic design major at Stevenson University this
fall. In her speech, Mickle discusses how stepping back from a situation or a project
can offer a different (and sometimes better) perspective. It was advice offered by
one of her instructors and an important lesson for handling the “flaws” of everyday
life. If she could provide guidance for future students, Mickle would encourage them
to not simply go to class and go home, but to get involved in activities and engage
with their classmates.
Jennifer Thomas, a Culinary Arts major originally from Powder Springs, Georgia, earned her high school
diploma in 2013. After high school, she traveled to India and Kenya where she worked
as a missionary. A nontraditional student, she found her way to the college’s Culinary
Arts program after two semesters as a General Studies major due to her interest in
holistic nutrition and the program’s one-year certificate program in Dietary Management.
She is a member of the Omicron Pi chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor
Society, appeared on the Dean’s List, and was an ACM Foundation scholarship recipient.
Following graduation, she and her spouse plan to hike the Appalachian Trail in two
parts, ultimately ending in Georgian to connect with family before determining their
future plans. In her speech, Thomas discusses how the college offered, in addition
to credentials and diplomas, intangible degrees in integrity, vision and passion,
and fostered an environment where she and other students could gain lessons in character,
teamwork, perseverance and resilience. She encourages her fellow graduates to use
every degree they possess to reach their fullest potential.
ACM students with a 3.75 or higher GPA were invited to audition to speak. The student
speakers were selected by the college’s Commencement Committee. Their speeches were
professionally recorded by college faculty.
