Briana Samaniego
Vermont Business Magazine The Community College of Vermont (CCV) held its graduation ceremony today at Norwich University’s Shapiro Field House.
Roughly 500 students received associate degrees. Graduates represent all 14 Vermont counties, and hail from 11 states and 13 countries. The youngest graduates are 18 and the oldest is 79. Also among the graduates are 16 veterans and members of the Armed Forces. More than 60% of the Class of 2026 are the first in their family to earn a college degree.
The keynote address was delivered by Will Eberle, founder of Mission Driver Consulting and executive director of Alyssum, a peer-based mental health respite program. Eberle, whose own higher education journey began at CCV, is a human services leader who has dedicated his career to uplifting Vermont’s most vulnerable citizens.
“That same spirit you found in the struggle to get here—that same deep well of endurance and resilience and faith in your own ability to overcome—that’s yours now. It’s not going anywhere. You can always reach for it and push a little harder, dig a little deeper, find a little more to give to overcome whatever might be blocking your path forward to your dreams.”
Two graduates addressed their classmates as student speakers for the Class of 2026. Darrell Martin is a military veteran who spent 24 years with the U.S. Army and over 50 years running a construction company. He earned his degree in liberal studies from CCV-Newport. Martin shared pieces of his life story, including starting out on his college journey more than 60 years ago.
“Finishing a college degree is like something that has hung over me for a long time, and although a challenge at times, it has been rewarding,” Martin said.
Briana Samaniego completed her degree in STEM studies at CCV-Winooski, and will pursue a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering. Her message to classmates centered on the theme of time.
“Your mindset toward time is your ultimate superpower. You control what your future looks like,” she said. “The key to a life that feels truly fulfilled—on your terms—is knowing when to pull a metaphorical blanket over that clock and rest in the present…and knowing when to look that clock in the eye and say, ‘Game on.’”
Vermont Governor Phil Scott also addressed the Class of 2026 (See full remarks below). He talked about the importance of listening to one another, and learning from one another, to build community.
“How you treat one another, how you treat people, the example you set, is up to you. What you give back to your community is up to you. The good you do is entirely up to you. There’s no such thing as a small good deed, or a small act of kindness. They’re all big. We just need more of them.”
Several individuals were recognized during the ceremony for both academic accomplishments and community service.
Dan Smith received the Community Service Award. As President and CEO of the Vermont Community Foundation, Smith has long worked beside CCV to expand access to higher education for all Vermonters.
Greg Samuels of CCV-Upper Valley and Samantha Smith of CCV-Newport received the Student Leadership Award. Hannah Cleveland of CCV-St. Albans and Sarah Eastwood, who studied online, were awarded the 2026 Alumni Scholarships.
Faculty members Patti Cook, Sylvia Puglisi and April Zajko received Teaching Excellence Awards.
CCV President Joyce Judy officiated the event.
“I firmly believe that a CCV education changes lives,” she told graduates. “One of my frequent sayings about our work at CCV is that we build on our laurels, not rest on them. We challenge the status quo, strive for continuous improvement, and push ourselves to keep learning and growing. And it is you, our students and graduates, who embody that spirit.”
TRANSCRIPT: GOVERNOR PHIL SCOTT DELIVERS REMARKS AT COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF VERMONT COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott attended the Community College of Vermont (CCV) commencement ceremony Saturday and delivered remarks to the Class of 2026. There were over 500 graduates, with the ages of graduates spanning more than 60 years. In his remarks, the Governor highlighted the accomplishments of graduates, many who balanced college courses with work, families, and other responsibilities. He also emphasized the importance of taking advantage of opportunities, treating others with respect, finding common ground, and giving back to our communities.
Governor Scott’s Address:
GOVERNOR SCOTT: Thank you, President Judy and thank you very much for having me again this year.
I’ve always believed CCV is one of our greatest assets and as Governor, I’m thankful for everyone who works to make higher education available to Vermonters, in every corner of our state.
It’s an honor for me to be here with our graduates, as one chapter in your lives comes to a close and a new one begins.
You all have a lot to be proud of, and I know many have had a lot on your plate, balancing college with jobs and taking care of your families.
But because of your hard work and determination you made it happen and I saw that for myself personally.
It all began about twenty years ago when a young woman was starting her first semester of college in Florida.
Unfortunately, Hurricane Ivan was bound for the coast so, the school evacuated and received a substantial amount of damage and struggled to get through the rest of the semester.
And due to that disruption that young woman never returned the following year and never earned a degree that is until today
I know how hard she worked juggling a career serving on multiple charitable boards and giving back to her community.
So why do I know her story so well?
Because she happens to be my daughter and our whole family is so very proud of her for seeing this through.
And her story may sound like some of yours as well.
For years we were told that college comes right after high school, you figure out your major, you study and then get a job and start your life, that’s the road map.
But, I think we’re all coming around to the fact that some take a different route and heading to college right off may not be the best path for everyone.
And sometimes there are pandemics, hurricanes, or wars that get in the way.
So, whether you’re fresh out of high-school taking college classes for the first time, looking to upskill and
I know there are some who know exactly what you’re doing next and your experience and the education you received at CCV will be key along the way.
It’s much more than grades and papers and tests. It’s also the discipline and work ethic that will help you get through life.
And to those of you who still aren’t quite sure where you’re going to land that’s OK, I wasn’t always sure either.
And by the way there are many days when I’m still not sure but I can assure you being Governor was never on my bucket list.
My point is this: you never know what’s going to come your way, where your journey ends or the path you’ll follow to get there.
So, embrace the unknowns look at all your opportunities and don’t let the fear of failure keep you from trying because we all make mistakes and we only fail when we don’t learn from them.
Another piece of advice: like it or not, you’re a role model for others that’s a responsibility I hope each of you takes seriously.
I saw this for myself a number of years ago when I was racing stock cars all over the northeast.
Back then, I never thought of myself as a role model.
All I wanted to do was race and be the best. But then I met a young fan up in the stands who was about 10 years old.
And that fan, had the number #14, my racecar number shaved onto the back of his head and I thought to myself, this kid is committed.
AND if that wasn’t enough, he also went on to describe everything I had done in a race I’d won the week before.
So, I had to really think about what that meant and the responsibility that comes with it, because our kids are watching and they want to be just like us.
And a big part of that is being a role model when it comes to how we interact with one another.
That means treating people with respect even when we disagree.
It also means recognizing the common ground we all share.
Here’s an example:
Earlier this year, we welcomed Vermont’s 2026 Winter Olympians to the State House and we included all legislators.
It was a great event, where we put our differences aside to celebrate their talent and success.
And by the way, they did pretty well, winning 20% of the U.S. medals this year. If Vermont were a country, we would have ranked 14th in the world.
But as Governor, what I was most proud of was how the Olympians and fans conducted themselves on
When I watched some of the events on television, I saw how excited Americans were standing side by side cheering for Team U.S.A.
And I thought at that very moment we were “one” and nobody seemed to care who voted for who or what your opinion was on this issue or that.
We were just Americans, proud Americans.
It wasn’t right vs left or red vs blue. It was all of us pulling together for red, white and blue.
Unfortunately, we don’t see that enough anymore. We’ve become so polarized and tribal in our country.
I’m sure during your time at CCV, you encountered hundreds of people who had different perspectives with different life experiences, views, and values.
But each of you sat down and listened to one another, learned from one another, and I bet somewhere along the line, challenged one another, or maybe even were challenged to put yourself in their shoes.
That’s how we solve problems and help people.
It’s also how we do our part to be less divisive, more respectful,
I also hope you find time to give back to your communities because that’s what makes Vermont such a special place.
Everywhere you look, there’s a need for more people coaching kids’
The folks who carry the load today are everyday Vermonters who
So, when you walk out of this fieldhouse today if you can’t recall a thing I said, remember this:
How you treat people and the example you set is up to you.
What you give back to your community is up to you.
And the good you do is entirely up to you.
There’s no such thing as a “small deed” or a “small act of kindness” they’re all big and we just need more of both.
Thanks again for having me here today. And congratulations Class of 2026.
CCV is Vermont’s second-largest college, serving nearly 10,000 students each year. With statewide locations and extensive online learning options, our students don’t have to travel far from their communities to access our degree and certificate programs, workforce, secondary and continuing education opportunities, and academic and veterans support services.
6.6.2026. MONTPELIER, Vt.—The Community College of Vermont
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