By SUSAN M. COVER
Staff Writer Sunday, May 13, 2007

She had no idea she'd be one of two women honored Saturday at the University of Maine at Augusta commencement as winner of the Distinguished Student Award, the school's top student honor.

Lovejoy, a Windsor resident who graduated with an associate degree in nursing, thought one of her friends would be getting the award. When she realized she was the winner, she started crying.

She wasn't alone.

An estimated 4,000 people came to the Augusta Civic Center Saturday for the 39th annual commencement exercises at the university. Parents, husbands, wives and other family members wiped away tears as they watched their loved ones achieve the goal of getting a college degree.

For Lovejoy and many others, it was a dream deferred.

"It's been 10 years of hard work and sacrifice and nights you didn't think you're going to make it," she said, noting that the rest of the day would be devoted to family time with her 8-year-old daughter Noelle.

As 500 of the 725 students who earned degrees filed into the civic center, family members clutched flower bouquets, took pictures with digital cameras and tried to get the attention of their favorite graduate.

One man waved his hand-carved cane in the air from Section 36, just seven rows from the highest point in the bleacher seats.

The Acadia Brass Ensemble played the "Triumphal March" over and over and over as the black-robed students headed to their seats.

In his address to the Class of 2007, Augusta Mayor Roger Katz earned laughs from the audience, which included many young, squirmy children.

He praised the graduates for finishing their degrees while juggling work and family commitments.

"You know how to raise children and keep your grades up," he said. "You know how to persevere over -- not just four years -- but five, eight or more years to get that cherished degree."

He also offered advice.

He encouraged the graduates to look for work they enjoy, "challenge the known and embrace the unknown," learn to speak a foreign language, play a musical instrument and play non-contact sports.

In addition to Lovejoy, Sarah Sherman of Southport Island -- southwest of Boothbay Harbor -- earned the Distinguished Student Award.

She plans to take her bachelor's degree in English with a minor in behavioral science, and put it to use in the field of criminal justice. Graduate school is on the horizon.

The mother of two and stepmother of one started community college in the late 1980s, had 12 years away, then came back in 2003 to finish her degree.

"Coming back as an older student was a bit of a challenge," she said.

Both Lovejoy and Sherman were honored for their academic performance, community work and leadership skills.

Among the sea of black caps, the easiest group to spot were those earning associate degrees in the school's dental hygiene program. All 24 of them put a giant white tooth on the top of their mortarboards.

Katie Randall, who lives in the Bangor area, said she entered the program after job-shadowing a family friend.

"It's a very strenuous program, very stressful, but well worth it," she said.

In remarks to the graduates, University of Maine System Board of Trustees member Marjorie Murray Medd said a college education outlasts many other events in life.

"Your achievement, signified by a diploma, can never be taken away from you," she said.

Susan Cover -- 623-1056

scover@centralmaine.com