AUBURN — Luke Livingston, founder and president of the Baxter Brewing Co. of Lewiston, will deliver the keynote speech to graduates of Central Maine Community College this week.

The 54th annual commencement ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 10, at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston.

More than 500 students from the Class of 2018 will graduate with one or more of the following credentials: associate in arts degree, associate in science degree, associate in applied science degree, certificate or advanced certificate.

Scott E. Knapp, president of the college, will present the degrees and certificates, assisted by David MacMahon, vice chairman of the CMCC board of trustees.

When he founded Baxter Brewing Co. in 2011, Livingston opened the first craft brewery in New England to can its entire line of beers.

Located in the historic Bates Mill complex, the popular beer is distributed throughout New England, New York and New Jersey.

Livingston is a graduate of Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Livingston, 33, said he’s done lots of public speaking, but Thursday is his first graduation address. His speech will center around how he founded Baxter Brewing Co., “including riding in an elevator in Nashville last week with President Obama’s chief speech writer,” Livingston said.

He declined to share any more details until his speech Thursday.

The public is invited to attend the ceremony, which is scheduled to end about 8 p.m.

No tickets are required. Family members or friends of graduates who need special accommodations or seating should contact David Gonyea at 207-755-5251.

Luke Livingston, founder of Baxter Brewing Co. in Lewiston, will be the keynote speaker at Central Maine Community College’s graduation Thursday in Auburn. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal)

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