MCC graduation

Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily Gazette

Right photo, Miguel Gonzales of McCook, Nebraska, accepts a McCook Community College diploma from Mid-Plains Community College board of governors representative Louis Stithem during MCC commencement ceremonies this morning. Gonzales is one of 120 graduates of MCC's 83rd graduating class. Dr. Dr. Michael Chipps, president of Mid-Plains Community College, told graduates, "The faculty and staff extend our best wishes for a memory-maker day." Dr. Chipps said he's attending graduations for 30 years. "There's never a day like this ... these are natural smiles of joy." Dr. Chipps, top right, presented the "Dr. Gene A. Budig Outstanding Faculty Award" to MCC English teacher Megan Friesen; helping with the Budig presentation was Dr. Richard Tubbs, MCC vice president.