Congratulations to the Class of 2019! Queensborough Celebrates its 58th Commencement Ceremony
“On this very special day we celebrate the accomplishments of you, our students, who will receive degrees and certificates. You should all be very proud. This morning you will be official graduates of Queensborough!” said Timothy G. Lynch, Ph.D., Interim President of Queensborough Community College.
Dr. Lynch noted, “You came to Queensborough from all parts of the world and each of you has a personal story of courage and determination to achieve the dream of a better life for you and your families through education.”
The College’s student body has roots in 127 countries of origin, with 78 native languages represented. Many are the first in their family to attend college. Thousands of people from around the world watched the live stream of the ceremony on PCs, mobile phones, and tablets.
This year more than 2,600 students graduated from Queensborough. Some will be attending colleges across the country, including CUNY’s senior colleges—Queens, Baruch, Brooklyn, Hunter, John Jay, The City College, Lehman, and SUNY colleges at Stony Brook, University at Buffalo, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, F.I.T., and Binghamton. Some of Queensborough’s graduates will be attending private colleges including NYU, Columbia, Hofstra, St. John’s, UPENN, and Cornell, among others. Students also graduated from rigorous career programs in the health, business and technology fields.
Highlights of the ceremony included a salute to the graduating students who served our country in the military. They were asked to stand to be recognized for their valor, and for protecting our freedoms and our way of life.
At the close of the ceremony Dr. Lynch declared: “Class of 2019 please stand. Move your tassel from your right to your left. Congratulations! You are now official graduates of Queensborough Community College!”
Presidential Awards:
Presidential Awards:
Monique Fisher: The Martin Luther King, Jr. Award for exceptional leadership in promoting racial harmony and appreciation of cultural diversity.
Ronald Chan: The 2019 John F. Kennedy Memorial Award for demonstrating outstanding College and community leadership, as well as scholastic achievement.
Woo-Chul Kim: Ray Ricketts Memorial Award presented to a returning student who exhibits exceptional scholarship and leadership.
Meilun DiFransico, Marsha Homer and Andrea Tucker: Incentive Award (Day Student)
Matthew DiBono: Incentive Award (Evening Student)
Tanina Habib and Marsha Homer: The President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Associate in Arts Degree
Zhenyi Wang: The President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Associate in Science Degree
Eric Deokie and Simon Shen: The President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Associate in Applied Science Degree
Greetings were offered by The Honorable Kevin Kim as a member of the CUNY Board of Trustees. Bringing greetings from the College’s Academic Senate was the Chair of the Academic Steering Committee, Dr. Steven Dahlke, Associate Professor, Music; and Dr. Philip A. Pecorino, Professor, Social Sciences; Chair, Faculty Executive Committee. Bringing greetings from students was Ronald Chan, President of the Student Government Association and Presidential awardee.
Distinguished guests included The Honorable Toby Ann Stavisky, New York State Senator, Chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee; Barry Grodenchik, City Councilmember; Assemblymember David I. Weprin; and Assemblymember Ed Braunstein.
From the college: Timothy G. Lynch, Ph.D., Interim President of Queensborough Community College; Sr. Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Sherri Newcomb; Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Sandra Palmer; Vice Presidents Stephen Di Dio, Rosemary Zins, William Faulkner, Brian Kerr and Denise Ward; Deans: Liza Larios, Linda Evangelou, David Humphries, Kathleen Landy, Veronica Lukas, Michael Pullin, Tikola Russel, Shiang-Kwei Wang and Arthur Corradetti. Also recognized were the Chairs from the College’s 17 academic departments.
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