Senior Toast salutes resilience, togetherness of the Class of 2024

A favorite SUNY New Paltz tradition continued on May 16, as graduating seniors spent some of their last undergraduate hours on campus celebrating their journeys and triumphs together at the annual Senior Toast before Commencement.

Members of the Class of 2024 braved the rain on the SUB Concourse to raise a commemorative glass of champagne to a college career of thriving through unprecedented academic, national and global disruptions.

“You all faced challenges and got through, and you should be immensely proud of yourselves,” said Student Association President Xaviana Blunt ’24 (Black Studies; Psychology). “As you venture forth into the world, I hope that you continue to pursue excellence with passion and purpose and find fulfillment in all of your endeavors.”

A few students shared their own Senior Toasts in reflection on their New Paltz journeys:

“To completion and weathering the storm with my New Paltz family,” – Calvin Jamison ’24 (Marketing) of Wappingers Falls, New York

“To making it to graduation with the peers I had all my classes with,” – Ashlyn Scaria ’24 (Biology; Sociology) of Shrub Oak, New York

“To how we’ve persevered, and now we’re about to have our degrees,” – Nayise Gonzalez ’24 (Political Science) of Bronx, New York

 

Every year, the Senior Toast includes the unveiling of the Senior Class Gift, which raises funds to support the next generations of Hawks. This year’s campaign generated a check of $4,462.40 to the SUNY New Paltz Foundation.

The Senior Toast also serves as an official welcome into the SUNY New Paltz Alumni Association, a network that is more than 70,000 Hawks strong, and growing.

“We’d like to make a toast to everything that you have brought to us during your time at SUNY New Paltz,” said Vice President of Development & Alumni Relations Erica Marks. “May your contributions make the world a better place.”

The 2024 Senior Toast was made possible by the Center for Student Engagement, Division of Student Affairs and Office of Development & Alumni Relations.