Ed Carroll ’85, COO of AMC Networks, will provide greeting at virtual Undergraduate Commencement
Carroll will deliver full Undergraduate Commencement address at rescheduled in-person ceremony in May 2021
SUNY New Paltz announces the program of its virtual Undergraduate and Graduate Commencement ceremonies, both pre-recorded video events that will launch on Friday, May 22, 2020, at 1 p.m.
The virtual Undergraduate Commencement will feature greetings to the graduating class from Ed Carroll ’85 (Communication & Media), the chief operating officer of AMC Networks and one of the most distinguished and engaged alumni in the College’s history.
Carroll, also a SUNY New Paltz Foundation Board Director, will return to campus in May 2021 to deliver a full Undergraduate Commencement Address at the College’s rescheduled, in-person ceremony next year. He graciously contributed a pre-recorded greeting to recognize current students and graduates participating in the virtual ceremony this year.
The virtual Undergraduate Commencement will also feature pre-recorded messages from:
- SUNY New Paltz President Donald P. Christian
- SUNY Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson
- Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Barbara Lyman (speaking at the Graduate Commencement ceremony)
- 2020 Valedictorian Majessa Pedrozo ’19 (Communication Disorders) (speaking at the Undergraduate Ceremony)
- President of First World Graduation Kiana Graham ’20 (International Relations) (speaking at the Undergraduate Ceremony)
Additionally, in accordance with SUNY New Paltz Commencement tradition, the virtual event will include renditions of the National Anthem and the alma mater, “In a Valley Fair,” by student vocal performers.
As previously announced, the virtual Commencement event on May 22, 2020, does not replace an in-person Commencement celebration for our August 2019, December 2019 and January 2020 graduates, and May 2020 and August 2020 candidates. We are organizing this pre-recorded event as a way for our campus community to celebrate and reflect on the end of the 2019-20 academic year, even as we continue to live, work, teach and learn in accordance with social distancing guidelines.
Visit www.newpaltz.edu/commencement/ for more information.
About Ed Carroll ’85
Ed Carroll is a 1985 SUNY New Paltz alumnus who over the course of a three-decade career at AMC Network has risen to the role of chief operating officer, and has overseen production of successful programs including “Breaking Bad,” “Mad Men” and “The Walking Dead.”
He currently oversees all operations for the network’s highly successful brands (AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel, BBC America and We TV), as well as advertising sales and the company’s international operations. Globally, Carroll has spearheaded the reach of AMC Network’s brands into more than 20 countries across North America, Europe and Asia. Prior to becoming Chief Operating Officer in 2009, Carroll was AMC Network’s President of Entertainment Services.
Ed is a SUNY New Paltz Foundation Board Director and has been an engaged member of our campus community for many years. He and his wife, Gina O’Brien-Carroll ’86 (Communication Studies), herself a screenwriter and director, met at the College more than 30 years ago. Among their many contributions to their alma mater is the Edward A. Carroll and Gina O’Brien-Carroll Experiential Scholarship, which supports students pursuing engaged learning activities outside the classroom.