MTU students celebrate graduation day

HOUGHTON — Michigan Tech held their Spring Commencement Ceremony on Saturday. ABC 10’s Rick Allen has a look at the ceremony.

With degrees in hand, the 2016 Class of Michigan Tech is ready to make their impact on the world. Nearly 1,000 graduates were bestowed with honors and benefits and responsibilities during this year’s Spring Commencement Saturday.

Graduate Paul Bristol followed the advice of a friend and chose to study at Michigan Tech.

Bristol said, “If you want to study Technical Audio, go up to Michigan Tech and study with (MTU Professor) Christopher Plummer. And since the department was that well known and it’s super exclusive, there’s only five people that are let into the program a year, I had to pick it.”

Being at Michigan Tech wasn’t always easy for Women’s Basketball star Danielle Blake, but her family and friends got her through. Blake said, “I’d just look over at my mom or my sister, or go to my coaches even and be like, I need help with this and they would always be there with a helping hand just ready with whatever I needed.”

Many local high school graduates look to study anywhere other than the Copper Country. Calumet native Dallas Bond says there are benefits to staying in town to go to college.

Bond said, “I think that Michigan Tech, it’s sets itself apart from other universities. It’s ranked very high and we have such a high placement. If you graduate from Michigan Tech, most of the time you’re guaranteed a job.”

With the average starting salaries topping $60,000 a year, these graduates have a lot to look forward to.

For ABC–10/CW–5 News, I’m Keweenaw Bureau Reporter Rick Allen.