Amid a backdrop of resilience and jubilation, St. Joseph’s University, New York celebrated a remarkable milestone Thursday as 1,200 graduates donned their caps and gowns for the institution’s 105th annual commencement exercises at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale.
What made this ceremony particularly poignant was the shared experience of the majority of the graduates.
Due to the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic four years ago, they missed out on the traditional pomp and circumstance of a high school graduation and began their time in college having to navigate the uncertainties of the pandemic: mask-wearing, hybrid classrooms, temperature checks, virtual events and canceled athletics seasons among them.
Commencement — with its cheering families, proud professors and sea of decorated mortarboards — was a demonstration of the unwavering determination of the Class of 2024.
“You are survivors in many senses of the word! Many of you started college during the height of the pandemic,” commencement speaker Dr. KMarie King, a 1994 graduate of St. Joseph’s, said during a heartfelt and inspiring keynote address that emphasized themes of perseverance and embracing change.
“In spite of the numerous challenges, you persevered and now are graduates. Your book of life has only just begun,” continued Dr. King, the chair and chief of surgery at Albany Medical Center who advised the graduates to find and follow their own personal “North Star” toward happiness and success.
Following her address, St. Joseph’s President Donald R. Boomgaarden, Ph.D., and St. Joseph’s Board of Trustees Chair Christopher R. Carroll ’88 bestowed Dr. King with an honorary doctorate of humane letters.
The Long Island Campus accounted for 828 of the graduates in attendance, while the Brooklyn Campus had 257 and the University’s Online Campus counted 115. Bachelor’s degrees were conferred on 928 graduates; 272 of the honorees earned master’s degrees.
A photo slideshow of the event is below.
“This is a day of celebration, to be sure, but it’s also a day for reflection,” Dr. Boomgaarden told a Coliseum crowd of about 5,000. “It’s a day to reflect on the values that strengthen us as members of our families and as graduates of St. Joseph’s University. All of you students stand as models of those important SJNY values.
“Spiritual depth, intellectual rigor, integrity, service and social responsibility are not just empty words to you,” he continued. “What you have accomplished is remarkable … Your spirit and abilities will be more than a match for any of the obstacles the world may throw in your way.”
Valedictorians at Brooklyn and Long Island Honored
The University honored two valedictorians. Caitlin Caporal, a political science major with a 4.0 GPA, earned the honor at the Brooklyn Campus, while chemistry major Melissa Guercio, who also has a 4.0 GPA, garnered the prestigious achievement at the Long Island Campus.
Both delivered commencement addresses during Toast to the Graduates events held on the campuses last month. Also honored were two recipients of the Donald R. Boomgaarden Leadership in Action Award: child study major Leandra Fernandez from the Brooklyn Campus and Pileigh Shahinian, an English major with an adolescence education concentration at the Long Island Campus.
While acknowledging that her biggest hurdle in college was getting through the pandemic, Shahinian also stressed that the experience strengthened her moving forward.
“This has shaped me into the person I am today, because when everything was taken away from me, I realized that nothing is guaranteed,” she said. “As soon as everything reopened, I made up for lost time and really made the most of every single experience I could. This mentality will carry me through the rest of my life.”
Like so many of her fellow honorees, Irena Grigoryan of South Brooklyn is a first-generation college graduate.
“This moment has me feeling incredibly grateful — to be making my parents proud, to be making even myself proud, to become a nurse in this industry and to become the first immigrant in my family to become a nurse and graduate with a bachelor’s degree,” said Grigoryan, 23, a Brooklyn Campus graduate who was joined by numerous members of her family, some of whom traveled from Los Angeles and Armenia.
Mom and Dad’s Hard Work Made it Possible
Similarly, Long Island Campus graduate Destiny Eusebio, 23, became the first person in her family to earn a college degree.
“This day stirs up so many emotions,” said Eusebio, a biology major from Brentwood. “I’m very proud and I’m just thinking about my mom and dad, and how they worked day in and day out to make this possible for me.”
The Day in Pictures
Below is a photo slideshow of graduation day for St. Joseph’s Class of 2024.
Leading up to graduation day, child study major Caitlin Russo was feeling especially proud of graduating with such a resilient group.
“Throughout a time full of uncertainty, we seized every opportunity, striving to reach our greatest potential,” said Russo of Miller Place, whose concentration was in speech. “Our resilience in conquering previous obstacles serves as a testament to our ability to confront those that lie ahead.”
Russo added that her four years at St. Joseph’s have “provided me with skills and knowledge necessary to step into the classroom and pursue my dream of becoming an elementary school teacher.”
Before embarking on her teaching career at PS 257 in Brooklyn and continuing her studies at St. Joseph’s, Brooklyn Campus child study graduate Alexis Cintron said she will celebrate her graduation with a family Carnival Cruise to Florida. The Bushwick resident said she cherishes the close bonds that she has made with her classmates.
24 Years After Her First Bachelor’s
Retired NYPD officer Michelle Powlette received a bachelor’s degree in human services — 24 years after earning her first bachelor’s degree. She plans to be a social worker.
“I want to help society as a whole with mental illness. If I could save one person, I know I have done my job. I know I can’t save the world, so I say one person,” said Powlette, a Brooklyn Campus graduate who served in the NYPD for more than 20 years and has two adult children and two grandchildren. “I’m not doing this for me, I’m not doing this for the money, I’m doing this for the service of the people.”
Powlette will also now pursue a master’s degree in human services and leadership at St. Joseph’s.
Alexandra Ehrhart ’22 earned a psychology degree from SJNY two years ago. On Thursday, she was back at Nassau Coliseum to receive a master’s degree in social work.
“I would love to coach at the school I work at and work to break the stigma surrounding mental health support in sports,” she said of her future aspirations.
Ehrhart, who is part of the social work program’s first cohort of graduates at St. Joseph’s, added that she believes “it is important to show athletes it’s okay to seek help when and if they need it.”
A two-sport athlete as an undergraduate at the Long Island Campus, Ehrhart said she will run in the New York City Marathon this November to raise money for the pediatric unit of the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan.
The Power of ‘Thoughts, Words and Actions’
Dr. King during her commencement speech reflected on her own journey from student to accomplished professional. Drawing from her personal experiences, the speaker emphasized the importance of resilience, perseverance and self-belief.
She shared anecdotes from her own life, including a pivotal moment during her college years when she joined the U.S. Army Reserves, which led to unexpected leadership opportunities and personal growth.
The speaker also discussed the power of thoughts, words and actions, urging graduates to be mindful of their choices and to pursue their passions with courage and commitment.
“I can vouch for the fact that you are well-trained to take on the adventures and challenges of the next phase of your life,” she said. “St. Joseph’s provided me a safe place to develop as a young woman, and to satisfy and expand my intellectual curiosity.
“I thrived in this environment. I developed lifelong friendships with individuals who would continue to navigate life with me personally and professionally.”
