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SUNY Sullivan holds 55th Commencement

228 students receive degrees

May 20, 2019

By Patricio Robayo - staff writer

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By: PATRICIO ROBAYO|DEMOCRAT

SUNY Sullivan students were ready to receive their diploma.

LOCH SHELDRAKE — The Paul Gerry Fieldhouse at SUNY Sullivan was filled to capacity on Saturday to celebrate the school's 55th commencement. The Class of 2019 consisted of 228 graduates who secured their degrees. Equally important—before commencement—22 nursing students and 12 respiratory care students were honored at the annual pinning ceremony.
“We are all so glad you made it,” said SUNY Sullivan President Jay Quaintance. “After the ceremony, you will leave and begin the rest of your life. Perhaps you transfer to another school, perhaps you transfer to another career; either way, I ask you to consider this, you are only as strong as those around you. Working to improve the lives of others will reward you as well. When the opportunity arises, reach out, lift up others...be human.”
SUNY Sullivan's Elizabeth Rodriguez was not only the class speaker but was also the recipient of the Faculty Award for General Excellence. She left her fellow graduates with this message ... “I know wherever you are, remember you got this. In the time we spent together, we had our ups and downs, and we still pushed forward to our graduation. I want to I wish you all the best.”
SUNY Sullivan Alumnus John D'Agati, Ph.D.— who serves as New York State Deputy Commissioner of Higher Education— served as the guest speaker during the commencement and Reverend Annie Green provided the invocation and the benediction.
Not only were the students recognized for their hard work, faculty, staff, and students were also recognized with SUNY Chancellor's Awards.
The commencement ceremony also recognized graduates from the College for Educational Enrichment program, which is a cooperative effort between SUNY Sullivan and four agencies in the county that serve adults with developmental disabilities. The agencies, who contribute both funds and administrative support include: New Hope Community, Inc., Crystal Run Village, Inc., The ARC Sullivan-Orange Counties, and The Center for Discovery.

Faculty and staff awards
SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching: Dr. Thomas Martin

SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service: Kelly Baker

SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Classified Service: Linda Matrafailo

SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence for Faculty Service: Timothy Redman

SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching: Charlotte Sheehan

SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence: Marissa Gennaro

President's Award: Heidi Dertinger.

Awards were also presented
to the following Nursing students:
Award for Academic Excellence: Patrick Fitzpatrick
Award for Clinical Excellence: Heather Cole
Award for Class Advocate: Kathleen Alveari
Future Nurse Leader Award: Ashley Quinn

The following students, who plan to pursue their Bachelor's Degrees in Nursing, each received the Irving Shapiro Memorial RN to BSN Scholarship: Kathie Anne Heusel, Katie Rodriguez and Silvia Sylva.

The following Respiratory Care students were presented with the Lambda Beta Society Awards: Priyanka Dharia, Jenna Napolitano and Melody Trinidad.

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