Congratulations to the Class of 2017! Queensborough Celebrates its 56th Commencement Ceremony
Queensborough Community College held its 56th Commencement ceremony on Friday, June 2.
Dr. Diane B. Call, President of Queensborough Community College, welcomed graduates, family and friends in Spanish, Mandarin, Creole, Korean, Farsi, Hindi and Urdu. The College’s student body hails from all parts of the world, including 129 countries of origin, with 78 languages represented.
President Call exclaimed, “Congratulations! On behalf of your teachers and staff we salute your accomplishments and wish you well!”
Almost 2600 students completed their associate degrees over the 2016-17 year, and nearly 900 of them participated in the ceremony last Friday. Some will go on to university study at sister CUNY colleges including Queens, Baruch and Brooklyn College. Many graduates will also continue their education at SUNY, NYU, Columbia, Hofstra, UCLA, Stanford, Boston University and Cornell University.
In addition, almost 2500 people from nearly 70 countries watched the live stream of the ceremony on PCs, mobile phones, and tablets.
Dr. Call added that, “Each of you has a personal story of determination and sacrifice to achieve the dream of a better life for you and your families through education. As you move on, remember that your story will change over time and that it takes courage to embrace these changes. Most of all, believe in yourself.”
Additional highlights of the ceremony included a salute to Queensborough’s military veterans who were asked to stand and be recognized for their valor to place their lives in harm’s way to protect our way of life.
Presidential Awards:
Nicole Wee: The President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Associate in Arts degree.
Sergei Dzhumaev: The President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Associate in Science degree.
Ferany Kumar: The President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Associate in Applied Science degree.
Haris Khan and Farbod Hadizadeh Moghadam: the 2017 John F. Kennedy Memorial Award for demonstrating outstanding College and community leadership, as well as scholastic achievement.
Fatima Faisal: the 2017 Martin Luther King, Jr. Award for demonstrating exceptional leadership in promoting racial harmony and appreciation of cultural diversity.
Greetings on behalf of the CUNY Board of Trustees were offered by Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Christopher Rosa, and the Honorable Sandra Wilkin. Bringing greetings from the College’s Academic Senate was the Chair of the Academic Steering Committee Peter Bales, B.A., M.S., Ph.D., Professor, Social Sciences and History; and Dr. Philip A. Pecorino, Professor, Social Sciences; Chair, Faculty Executive Committee. Bringing greetings from his fellow students was Farbod Hadizadeh Moghadam, President of the Student Government Association.
Distinguished guests included The Honorable Toby Ann Stavisky, New York State Senator and ranking member on the senate higher education committee; David I. Weprin, member of the New York State Assembly, and Barry Grodenchik, City Councilmember.
From the college: Sr. Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Sherri Newcomb; Timothy Lynch, Ph.D., Vice President for Academic Affairs; Vice Presidents Stephen Di Dio, Karen Steele, Michel Hodge, Rosemary Zins, William Faulkner and Denise Ward. Deans: Liza Larios, Arthur Corradetti, Glenn Burdi, Sandra Palmer, Brian Kerr, Laura Bruno and Jeff Chen.
Representing Queensborough’s Fund Board of Directors was Mr. Gary Schulze and the President of the Alumni Association, and Mr. Michael Conigliaro. Also recognized were the Chairpeople from the College’s 17 academic departments.
This year Queensborough celebrated the Golden Jubilee of the Class of 1967 and Silver anniversary of the Class of 1992. Alumni from the Class of 1967: Stuart Asser, Charles Spiteri, Bruce Naples, George Cambourakis, Patricia Simons, Dr. Milga Morales Nadal, Rev. Brianne Leslie, Michael Marion, Vincent Stigliano, and Robert W. Simons. Alumni from the Class of 1992: Kathy Lovell-Gocoul, Michael Conigliaro, Joyce Wright-Laporte, Verna E. Innis, Marlen Berris, Erica G. P. Dixon, Mary Patricia Duddy, Marlene A. Brown, Joan Patricia Malcolm and Renee Wasserman.
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