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Thousands of people packed the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall in Fort Myers on Friday night for Edison College’s 46th annual graduation ceremony.

Making the night even more special for the college was the fact that nine students received their bachelor’s degrees in public safety management — the first in the school’s history to earn four-year degrees.

Starting next fall, the school plans to offer baccalaureate degrees in nursing and business, as well.

Formerly a community college, Edison became a traditional four-year college in 2004 with the addition of the public safety management program.

Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott, an Edison College alumnus, served as keynote speaker for the event.

“For me, I’m basically a public safety manager, so for Edison to offer this degree is huge to me,” said Scott, who met his wife, Krista, while enrolled in the school from 1981-1983. “Edison allowed me to stay local and work locally after high school, which was wonderful for me.”

Scott graduated from North Fort Myers High School in 1981. Following his stint at Edison, he went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of South Florida in Tampa.

For the coordinator of student relations at Edison, Friday’s ceremony marked the end of a 32-year career at the school.

“I loved every minute of it,” said Nancy Greene, who plans to retire to North Carolina with her husband. “I’ve done it all, and I’ve loved it all. For me to finish my career working with the students has really been wonderful for me.”

Dr. Robert Jones is president of Edison College’s Lee County campus. He said the importance of adding a bachelor’s program to his school’s offerings couldn’t be underestimated.

“It’s very important because it’s critical that our graduates are prepared not only for entry-level jobs, but for supervisory and management positions, as well,” Jones said. “I’m so proud of these first nine graduates — and we have 70 more in the pipeline working toward their bachelor’s degrees as we speak.”

Dr. Dennis Hill, a music professor, carried the ceremonial mace for the progression into the performing hall on Friday night. Hill, of Naples, is also retiring following a 32-year career at the school.

“I’m proud of all the years I’ve worked here, but retiring feels great,” Hill said before leading the more than 1,500 graduates into the hall.

Eric Nalewailk of Lehigh Acres was among the nine students who received their bachelor’s degrees on Friday night.

“It feels great that it’s finally over,” said Nalewailk, who has worked in the promotions department at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office for the past 10 years. “My advice to people working toward their degree is to just stick to it. It’s a tough road, but it’s very worthwhile in the end.”

Fellow bachelor’s degree recipient Jim Licata of Cape Coral agreed.

“I’m getting a promotion because of this degree,” said Licata, who has worked for the Charlotte County Department of Corrections since 1992. “If you’re working toward your degree, keep going. It took me 18 years, but I’m finally getting mine.”

The other students receiving bachelor’s degrees on Friday night were Melissa Turney of Charlotte County, Nicholas Favazzo, Dana Harper, Gregory Harrel and Michael Maurer of Lee County, and Frederick Plocinski and Daniel Zunzunegui of Collier County.

Edison College has campuses in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties.

For more information on Edison College, call (800) 749-2322 or visit www.edison.edu.

E-mail John Osborne at johnaosborne@hotmail.com.