New grads celebrate with loved ones at 2016 SUNY New Paltz Commencement

The SUNY New Paltz Class of 2016 stood before families, friends, faculty and staff and received their undergraduate degrees at the annual spring Commencement celebration on May 15, as a stage party of esteemed professors and administrators oversaw the presentation of 1,870 degrees in science, the arts, business, engineering, humanities and education.

[Click here to view full photo gallery]

The annual Commencement tradition provides not only formal recognition of students’ academic success, but also an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of their time at New Paltz: the personal growth and lasting friendships forged over the years, and the bright possibilities unlocked through diligent study and community engagement.

“Today we recognize the achievement of students who have completed the hard academic work of earning a degree,” said President Donald P. Christian. “Graduates, we have tried to prepare you with knowledge, intellectual and personal attributes and a desire to keep learning throughout your lives. These are features that employers seek in college graduates, and that also are the foundation for a good life.

“As you go forth to take up the responsibilities of graduate or professional school, employment, family and community, your college is proud of what you have accomplished so far and looks forward to what you will achieve in your futures. Please join me in congratulating our new graduates on their success in meeting and mastering all of the challenges they have encountered on their way to this proud and happy day!”

The honored Commencement Speaker at this year’s ceremony was Regina Calcaterra ’88 (Political Science), an alumna, attorney and advocate whose memoir, Etched in Sand, recounts the many hardships she overcame on the way to earning her degree and giving back to the community through her work in the legal profession.

“I thought that I became an ‘author’ after publishing my book, but I was wrong,” Calcaterra said. “I was an author all along, the author of my own story, and you, 2016 SUNY New Paltz graduates, are the authors of yours. Your first chapters are already written. You are now equipped to move forward to write the next ones, where you will tell your readers that with a New Paltz degree, you are no longer a bystander, but are actually on the playing field. Go on and be your own authors, but don’t write the ending just yet. Know that the characters and plots will keep changing, and enjoy the drafting stage – it truly is the best part.”

Valedictory remarks were given by the Class of 2016 valedictorian, Margaret Hack ’16 (English), of New Windsor, N.Y.

“We chose to be here today, to spend one last day on the campus we have called our home away from home,” Hack said. “This is a way for each of us to look back on past semesters, to remember the little moments of laughter and celebrate our growth, both in the classroom and in our daily lives. But we are also here to celebrate the differences we will make in this world. What we accomplish from today forward will be a product of our choices, our unique characteristics, our struggles and our perseverance. We leave New Paltz with pride in who we are and what we have done; we leave here ready to build our lives.”

Having heard these words, the Class of 2016 then walked across the stage and formally received their degrees. Some took time to try to articulate what was going through their minds at this milestone moment.

“What stands out the most to me is all the friends I made here, and how I’m going to miss them all so much. I’ll be staying here in New Paltz to work on my master’s, and while it will be hard to say goodbye to the people who’ve been with me so far, I’m excited to be taking my next step.” – Andrea Nandoo (International Business / Marketing)

“I’ll always remember my time student teaching. Finally being in a classroom is what we have been working up to, and actually having those interactions, getting that real-world experience and seeing up-close how these children learn, was just awesome.” – Katelynn Vyas (Early Childhood Education – English)

“It’s sad to be leaving, I really liked college! The best parts were the chances to learn outside the textbook. I was in the Evolutionary Studies Lab, which was great, and I also got to go study abroad in Rome. That’s actually one of the biggest reasons I came here – I knew New Paltz does a lot to help students study abroad regardless of what your major is, and I’m really happy it worked out for me.” – Victoria Freeborn (Psychology – Psychobiology)

“My time as an art student has been great. I enjoyed real personal growth through my experiences here – I built character, I found myself, what I like and what I want to do. College was the way for me to find my path.” – Terry Phan (Photography)

“The best thing about the electrical engineering program at New Paltz is the camaraderie between us students. It’s a smaller program, which means you get to know the people in your classes and feel comfortable working together and solving problems with them.” – Austin Peterson, Benjamin Hefele and Ian Matthews (Electrical Engineering)

“Right now I’m thinking about my family, who came all the way from Oregon and Maryland to see me walk today. It’s great to know they’re here. Now I just need to stay focused, and try not to trip!” – Crystal Bailey (Visual Arts)

Complete coverage of SUNY New Paltz Commencement activities is available at https://sites.newpaltz.edu/news/category/commencement/.