New Paltz names Nicolette Glebatis as class of 2013 valedictorian

NEW PALTZ – Nicolette H. Glebatis (Nassau, N.Y.), a communication disorders major with a minor in deaf studies, has been named valedictorian for the class of 2013 at the State University of New York at New Paltz. She maintained an outstanding academic record during her four years at the College to receive the honor. As valedictorian, Glebatis will address her fellow graduates during the Undergraduate Commencement ceremony to be held on Sunday, May 19, at 10 a.m. on the Old Main Quadrangle on the New Paltz campus.

Nicolette H. Glebatis

Glebatis came to New Paltz with an academic goal of majoring in French, but changed direction after “accidentally” enrolling in a deaf studies class during her sophomore year. She took the course to fulfill her general education requirement, and “got sucked right into it,” she says. “I never knew much about speech pathology, but I immediately realized that I’d found my true, true calling.”

Glebatis, who completed her undergraduate education in December 2012, is currently attending graduate school at the College of St. Rose in Albany, N.Y. “I’m hoping to graduate in two years with a Master’s degree and then either work in a school or in a hospital setting as a speech pathologist,” she said. During her time at New Paltz, she was involved with the Catholic Campus Ministry, a campus Bible study group, and Chabad.

“My time at New Paltz was a great learning experience on many levels,” she said. “I learned so much about myself and what I’m passionate about concerning my education. I learned a lot about myself spiritually through the different extracurricular activities and also made a lot of friends through that.” She noted her instructor Wendy Bower, who was also her academic advisor and chair of the Communications Disorders program, as a major influence and strong mentor. She also said it was a thrill for her to be recognized as valedictorian. “It was so unexpected. It’s just been a whirlwind.”