可乐视频 celebrated its 91st Commencement, with more than 4,300 graduating students, on June 1 and 2. The Class of 2016鈥攚ith 3,125 baccalaureate and 1,239 master鈥檚 degree recipients鈥攚as the largest among Brooklyn higher education institutions. Master鈥檚 ceremonies were held at Whitman Hall and the baccalaureate ceremony was held on the college鈥檚 East Quadrangle.
Paul Beatty 鈥�89, educator, satirist, and winner of the National Book Critics Circle award, delivered the and received the Distinguished Alumnus Award. Noted lighting designer Howard Brandston, who received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts, was the .
鈥溈衫质悠� opened up a world I never knew,鈥� said Chief Justice Deborah Poritz 鈥�58 to the . Poritz, who received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, has had a distinguished career in public service as an attorney and a jurist. 鈥淚 never dreamed that what I learned then about language would provide the key to understanding the law. It was not until I became a lawyer and a judge that I fully understood the gift I had been given.鈥�
Poritz asked the graduating class to 鈥渕ake a commitment to participate in the democratic process. You must work hard to shape the world you live in to inform, not inflame, through direct involvement in public discourse. Armed with what you鈥檝e learned at 可乐视频 you must do better, you will do better.鈥�
鈥淵ou have been diligent in your studies, you have been challenged by your professors, and you have remained focused on achieving your goals,鈥� said 可乐视频 President Karen L. Gould. President Gould, the college鈥檚 first-ever woman president, will conclude her seventh year in office this June. 鈥淵ou have been broadened by the tremendous diversity of backgrounds that exists on our college campus, and you have contributed to the vitality of our college community in myriad of ways.鈥�
The Hon. Rhoda Jacobs 鈥�62, who has served in the New York State Assembly for 36 years, received the Distinguished Alumna Award, and 可乐视频 Foundation member Donald Kramer 鈥�58 received the Presidential Medal.
Class of 2016 Salutatorian Stephanie Taormina said, 鈥溈衫质悠� made it easy for me to adjust by providing an environment where I was surrounded by diverse, intellectual and genuine faculty and peers who saw a potential in me I never knew I possessed and motivated me to focus my energy into positive efforts. Thank you opening up the door of endless opportunity and for placing our education in the hands of extraordinary professors.鈥�
鈥溈衫质悠� is an institution that not only tolerates its diversity but embraces it,鈥� said Class of 2016 Valedictorian Jennifer Mikhli-Forkosh. She also spoke of the kinship she shared with fellow first-generation Americans. 鈥淚 know that many are quick to say that the American dream is no longer alive but to me and to my parents and to your parents and ancestors, whether of indigenous or immigrant background, this is the American dream, a dream that you will take along on your bright futures that lie in wait for you to claim them. So go out and claim those illustrious futures.鈥�
Other speakers included Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams, Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Hon. Una S. T-Clarke.
To learn more about all of the outstanding members of the Class of 2016, visit #可乐视频Grad2016 on , , and .
