South Portland Land Trust recently named Michelle Smith, a communications professional, as the organization’s new program coordinator. As the land trust’s sole staff member, Smith will help the organization accomplish its financial, membership and community goals by managing and coordinating both internal and external communications.

She will work closely with the organization’s membership and outreach, fundraising, city easements, and trails committees to drive communications and collaboration, as well as communicate their goals and accomplishments to the land trust community.

“Michelle is a strong communicator; she’s well-organized, can work well both independently and collaboratively, and has a great background in fundraising and outreach work,” said Richard Rottkov, president of the land trust, is a written statement. “She has served in a similar role and made significant contributions to many local organizations. We are lucky to have someone with Michelle’s talent, experience and energy join the team at South Portland Land Trust.”

Smith previously served as communications and marketing director for Maine Audubon and, earlier in her career, as communications manager and spokesperson for Goodwill of Northern New England. She has also contributed as a freelance communications consultant for such organizations as Sea Change Yoga, Business Network for Offshore Wind and Friends of Spannocchia.

Garden collective plans seedling and plant sale

The South Portland Community Garden Collective is hosting a Seedling and Plant Sale. The event is scheduled for Saturday, May 22 at the Hamlin School Community Garden, behind the South Portland Planning Office at 496 Ocean St. in South Portland.

The organization will offer a selection of vegetable, flower and herb seedlings and a limited selection of perennials. There will also be opportunities to learn more about and join the South Portland Land Trust at the seedling sale. The land trust is the fiscal sponsor of the Community Garden Collective.

The 2021 plant sale will be held outdoors from 9 a.m. to noon, rain (under cover) or shine. The general public is welcome. Patrons are invited to bring seeds to swap and find a gardening book. The collective asks that masks are worn to shop, due to spacing considerations. The event is a fundraiser for the Redbank Neighborhood Community Garden, opening in 2022.

For more information, contact Mary Linneman at marymlinneman@yahoo.com or 207-409-4253.

Southern Maine Community College awards degrees and certificates at 74th commencement

Southern Maine Community College awarded more than 1,100 degrees and certificates Sunday during a virtual ceremony marking the college’s 74th commencement.

In all, 1,073 students earned 1,109 degrees and certificates during the 2020-2021 academic year. Graduates were recognized during a pre-recorded graduation ceremony, available on SMCC’s YouTube channel.

Students in the class of 2021 came from all 16 counties in Maine, 15 other states and 36 foreign countries. The youngest graduate was 17 years old, and the oldest was 59. Nearly 10 percent of the graduates were members of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

“This year’s graduates have shown extraordinary resilience and fortitude while completing their degrees and certificates in the midst of a pandemic, said Joe Cassidy, president of Southern Maine Community College, in a written statement. “Twenty-three graduates had perfect 4.0 grade point average at SMCC, and 48 had a GPA of 3.95 or higher.

“Despite all of the challenges of the past year, this is one of our largest graduating classes ever. Our graduates have distinguished themselves, and now is the time to celebrate their achievements while looking forward to their ongoing success as they begin their careers or continue their education. Our graduates can go anywhere from here.”

Cassidy presided over the ceremony, with the keynote speech delivered by SMCC alumnus Quang Nguyen. Nguyen moved from Vietnam to Maine in 2007, earned a business administration degree in 2010, and now has a successful career as a business entrepreneur and financial advisor.

Hundreds of this year’s graduates from SMCC’s applied technology, business and information technology, liberal studies, health sciences, public safety, and other programs are entering or have already entered the workforce. Among them is Colby Roy, who was awarded a degree in Precision Machining & Manufacturing and already has a job at a machine shop in Arundel. Having a degree in hand will open doors in his career, he said in an email.

“I can make more money now that I have a degree and I can basically work anywhere I want,” Roy said.

Hundreds of other graduates are continuing their education at public and private four-year schools, both in Maine and out-of-state.

Oliver Walker, who earned a degree in Liberal Studies with a focus in art, is transferring to Maine College of Art, where he was awarded a prestigious scholarship that will cover a large portion of his education. Walker credited SMCC with serving as a launch pad to reach his goal of becoming a concept artist, creating illustrations that convey ideas or themes for use in films, video games, comic books and other media.

“All the teachers I met and took classes with were some of the best people I’ve ever met,” Walker said in a written statement. “I’ve also learned to do things because you’re passionate about them, not just for a grade. That’s a big thing I’ve gotten out of SMCC.”

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