.jpg)
The school year is coming to an end on the Vermilion campus of Minnesota North College.
Graduation ceremonies are set for Wednesday at the community college in Ely, and a special guest is slated to give the commencement address.
Keith Turner, a Vermilion graduate and former coach at the college, will speak to graduates and others who gather in the school gymnasium for the 7 p.m. event.
The gymnasium is likely to be packed for the public event as graduates celebrate with family members together with school officials, teachers and staff.
Vermilion will recognize 87 students who earned associate in arts, science or applied science degrees.
Another 54 have earned certificates marking graduation from one of the school’s degree program, and school officials expect that about 80 students in all will participate in the commencement ceremony.
Following recent tradition, Vermilion will turn to a recent graduate to speak to the outgoing class.
Turner was a student at Vermilion in the mid-1980s and was a star running back for the school’s football team.
He returned to Vermilion in the 1990s, first as an assistant coach and later as head coach of the Ironmen football program. Currently, Turner works for Minnesota North as the college’s dean for student success, equity and inclusion.
The commencement speech heads a full program.
Minnesota North President Michael Raich will confer degrees and offer remarks as well, joining Bart Johnson, vice president for academic and student affairs, and Chris Koivisto, who serves as dean of natural resources and human services and heads campus operations in Ely.
Student Senate President Brett Snitker will speak on behalf of the class, while faculty president Reed Petersen will announce the names of each graduate as they cross the stage.
Entertainment prior to the ceremony will be provided by Vermilion graduate and vocalist Marissa Ronning.
The processional and recessional will be led by the Ely High School Brass ensemble, directed by Karl Kubiak and including musicians Blake Houde, Oliver Hohenstein, Violet Udovich, Izzy Schiltz, Ashlynn Gerlovich, Chantel Ridings, Oren Solum, Morgan Lassi and Emmett Boes.
A reception to honor the Vermilion grads will be held in the school’s cafeteria following the ceremony.
