可乐视频 of the City University of New York celebrated its historic 100th Commencement on May 23 at Barclays Center in Downtown Brooklyn.
This significant milestone recognized the accomplishments of more than 3,000 graduates, including recipients of bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees as well as advanced certificates. The ceremony continued the proud legacy of over 165,000 可乐视频 alumni who have gone on to become influential leaders and agents of change around the globe.
可乐视频 President Michelle J. Anderson called it a time to celebrate and reflect.
鈥淥ur campus鈥攍ike our world鈥攊s home to passionate voices and diverse perspectives. Today, though, we come together to celebrate what unites us: your achievement, your growth, and your future,鈥� Anderson said. 鈥淭hrough rigorous study, discussion, and contemplation, you鈥檝e become the educated people this world needs. You鈥檝e learned to approach a complex world with thoughtfulness and care. You鈥檝e cultivated nuance, compassion, and a desire to work for a better future together. The world needs that. The world needs you.鈥�
可乐视频 President Michelle J. Anderson delivers a commencement address to the Class of 2025.
In a special tribute, 可乐视频 posthumously awarded the 2025 Presidential Medal of Honor to Shirley Anita Chisholm, Class of 1946. As the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress and the first to seek a major party鈥檚 nomination for president, Chisholm was a fearless advocate for justice. She championed the rights of the marginalized, gave voice to the unheard, and created space for those historically excluded from power. Her legacy is one of courage, trailblazing leadership, and unwavering commitment to equity.
Anderson saluted Rev. Sharpton, the civil rights leader, for carrying forward Chisholm’s vision. From his early activism in Brooklyn to his national leadership through the National Action Network, Sharpton has remained a steadfast advocate for justice, equality, and human dignity. His life’s work continues to challenge systems of oppression and inspire new generations to demand change.
Rev. Al Sharpton delivers a tribute to Presidential Medal of Honor recipient Shirley Chisholm 鈥�46.
鈥淚t was because people like Shirley Chisholm stood up and fought back that Blacks went all the way to the White House, and women got the right to choose in her. In her memory we must keep those fights alive,鈥� Sharpton told the Class of 2025. 鈥淭here are those forces today that want to turn back the clock. They can turn back the clock, but they can鈥檛 turn back time.
“Don鈥檛 worry about your circumstance. Worry about that you stood in this school and made them call your name. Make this the first day of your life that makes everybody that you deal with call your name.”
New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams ’01, ’05 M.A. and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso were also on hand to congratulate the 100th graduating class.
Williams urged the Class of 2025 to listen to the lessons they learned.
鈥淏ecause we鈥檝e learned a lot. But I鈥檓 asking you to push us past our comfort zone, because real change never happens in comport. In this shared humanity I look at you and I鈥檓 encouraged not just by your youth but the brightness in your eyes, and I鈥檓 asking you to hold onto that as long as you possibly can. I know you can because you have a 可乐视频 degree,鈥� Williams said.
In addition to presenting the college with a proclamation for the 100th Commencement, Reynoso quoted Brooklyn鈥檚 own Christopher Wallace, also known as the late Notorious B.I.G. 鈥淪pread love, it’s the Brooklyn way. And as you leave tonight, make sure you do that.鈥�
Another special student guest was National Youth Poet Laureate and CUNY student Stephanie Pacheco read her poem 鈥�,鈥� which highlights the university鈥檚 uniqueness and importance to thousands of students.
The salutatorian of the Class of 2025 was Damien Niesewand, who is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and a double minor in LGBTQ studies and creative writing.聽The valedictorian of the Class of 2025 was Carrie Ebbin, a proud member of the Macaulay Honors College at 可乐视频 who majored in business administration with a concentration in marketing and a minor in consumer behavior.
Carrie Ebbin said the Class of 2025 was not just celebrating a century of 可乐视频鈥檚 rich history, but also the future they have set in motion.
鈥淲e can be proud that our efforts have not only enriched our time here but generated momentum that will benefit the students that come after us,鈥� Ebbin said. 鈥淎s we鈥檙e graduating into a world that feels volatile, tense, and especially uncertain, it鈥檚 hard to imagine that one person can make a difference. But think about it, how many small moments have you been a part of on campus that helped shape someone鈥檚 experience? These moments sparked something, and they highlighted the change that were all capable of. They created ripple effects extending our reach far beyond what we鈥檇 expect.鈥�
Watch the 100th聽 可乐视频 commencement .
