University celebrates Outstanding Graduates of the Class of 2025

More than 200 of SUNY New Paltz’s best-of-the-best graduating seniors celebrated their achievements in and out of the classroom alongside family, friends and faculty at the 2025 President’s Reception for Outstanding Graduates. 

This long-running campus tradition was redesigned this year to celebrate the hard work, talent and dedication of graduating students in a looser and more inclusive format – a festive, catered reception rather than a formal awards ceremony – allowing for more meaningful connection between soon-to-be graduates, their loved ones and their faculty mentors. Click here for a full photo gallery. 

“This group has not only accomplished the completion of the expectations, but have excelled in critical areas,” said President Darrell P. Wheeler. “You are to be applauded for the accomplishments that you’ve made in your discipline, for the impression that you’ve made on your faculty and staff and your colleagues and for the impact that you stand prepared to make as you go forward beyond your time as an undergraduate.” 

 

The Outstanding Graduates ceremony brings together representatives of all five of New Paltz’s schools – the School of Business, School of Education, School of Fine and Performing Arts, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the School of Science and Engineering – for a tribute to exemplary scholarship across disciplines.  

Outstanding Graduates are students who have gone above and beyond as scholars and leaders in the classroom, in independent research experiences and in engagement with clubs and honor societies, conference attendance and presentations, internships, jobs and other co-curricular activities. They are nominated by faculty mentors who have played a key role in supporting their intellectual and creative ambitions. 

Graduating students took in this special moment, recognizing their hard work and achievements. 

“I just got an award, and I’m here with people that I care about,” said Ruby Wilson ’25 (Psychology). “I’m proud of myself, but more than anything, I’m really proud of my friends and classmates.” 

“It was a great five years, and I look forward to pursuing all the passions I cultivated here even further,” said Will Speziale ’25 (Asian Studies; Anthropology). 

Their families were especially proud to bask in how far their Hawks have soared. 

“Being here now, it’s exhilarating,” said William McClurpin, guardian of Angelene Bailey ’25 (Sociology; Black Studies). “She worked so hard for this, and I’m so in awe of her perseverance.” 

“She worked hard and did well on her own, and I encourage her to keep following her dreams,” said Lynn Abruzzo, mother of Paula Abruzzo ’25 (Psychology). 

Click here to view the full list of SUNY New Paltz’s 2025 Outstanding Graduates.