ESCANABA — Bay College has officially announced its Distinguished Alumnus of the Year for 2022. This year’s award will go to Bay graduate, former chief of staff for state Sen. Tom Casperson, and InvestUP CEO Marty Fittante.

Bay’s Distinguished Alumni Award was established in 1999 by the Alumni Association to annually recognize an outstanding graduate who has contributed to their career, the community, and the college. The award selection process focuses on the following criteria: Education, Leadership, Service to the College and/or Community, Honors and Awards, and Distinction in the Nominee’s Career Field. Previous award recipients include Susan Cobb (2021), Holly Way (2020), and Patrick Johnson (2019).

“It’s humbling – it’s a very kind honor, but the overriding sentiment is that it’s humbling. Reflecting back on the other students who have been named Alumni of the Year, it’s incredible to be among those individuals,” Fittante said.

An Escanaba native, Fittante attended Bay between 1984 and 1986. After earning his Juris Doctor degree and other credentials downstate, he returned to Escanaba and practiced law for 12 years. Fittante went on to serve as Casperson’s chief of staff for almost the entirety of Casperson’s political career; in the fall of 2018, he accepted the CEO position at regional economic organization InvestUP.

In honor of Fittante’s achievement, he will be the guest speaker at Bay College’s next commencement ceremony. The ceremony is currently scheduled for May 6, 2023.

“Bay College’s Alumni Association is pleased to honor Marty as the 2022 Alumnus of the Year. His qualifications and outstanding leadership skills made him the perfect candidate, and Bay College is excited to have him as a guest speaker at next year’s Commencement,” Advancement Services Manager Vicki DeGrand said.