ACC Distinguished Graduate 2010
Matthew P. Linke
Matthew P. Linke was awarded the 2010 Distinguished Graduate Award at the 57th Alpena Community College commencement ceremonies on May 6. Established in 1998 by the ACC Foundation, this award honors ACC graduates who have gone on to contribute to society through successful careers. Its recipients are examples of how a solid foundation from ACC can launch a lifetime of achievement.
Linke is a 1976 graduate of Alpena High School and earned his
Associate of Science degree from Alpena Community College in 1978. He
went on to earn his Bachelor of Science degree from Central
Michigan
University in 1981, and a Master of Public Administration degree from
Eastern Michigan University in 1991.
Following his graduation from Central Michigan University, Linke returned to Alpena and worked several years as a career counselor at ACC with the Educational Talent Search program. In 1984 Linke was named museum coordinator/planetarium director at the Jesse Besser Museum, a position he held for four years before relocating to Ann Arbor.
Since 1989, Linke has served as the planetarium director at the University of Michigan Exhibit Museum of Natural History in Ann Arbor. Linke oversees the daily operations of the planetarium, works with student employees, conducts workshops, and produces public and school planetarium programs. In addition, Linke also makes anywhere from 40 to 100 traveling presentations a year to help spark students’ interest in science and related careers.
Linke has been married for 20 years to his wife, Lori Davis, who he met at ACC while working for the Educational Talent Search Program.
During Linke’s remarks he said, “Education, like that which you have been securing here at ACC, is critical to discovering success. Colleges like this one prepare you and expose you to news ideas. They broaden your thinking and created new possibilities. I know it did mine, and this was a huge stepping-stone for me as I prepared to leave home for the first time and go elsewhere.”
Penny Boldrey, executive director of the Foundation said, “The ACC Foundation is proud to award the 2010 Distinguished Graduate Award to Matt. It is truly an honor to recognize him for his distinguished career and professional accomplishments since his graduation from Alpena Community College.”