POUGHKEEPSIE – Dutchess Community College held its annual graduation ceremony on May 19. The College awarded 990 associate degrees and career certificates in 48 programs of study to graduates who ranged in age from 17 to 73. The event was held at the Majed J. Nesheiwat Convention Center in Poughkeepsie with about 2000 in attendance. The ceremony was livestreamed for those who could not attend.
Graduation speakers included DCC President Peter Grant Jordan, Ed.D., DCC Board of Trustees Chair Michael Francis Dupree, Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro ’01 and Kim Rybacki, Ph.D., who spoke on behalf of the faculty.
In his remarks, President Jordan said, “Graduates, you and your classmates will forever be remembered as a generation that has endured tremendous challenges … Personally, I hope they’ll call you the resilient generation, because you’ve had to stay committed yet flexible and nimble, adjusting to whatever curve balls have been thrown your way by a life-altering pandemic and the endless mandates that accompanied it.”
He added, “You didn’t let it stop you. You continued working toward your goals. You adjusted. You stayed focused. You kept the faith. Not only are you better off, we all are. Because of your unwavering efforts, our businesses can now hire more qualified employees, our municipalities will benefit from a growing workforce…our communities will add more intelligent, connected and responsible global citizens as neighbors and friends.”
Karen Irene Trovato, Ph.D. ’77, was awarded an honorary degree by Dr. Jordan and gave the commencement address. Her degree was bestowed to honor her substantial contributions to the world through her technological developments in path planning, navigation, robotics and medicine.
Kathleen Fitzmaurice was this year’s Student Commencement Speaker.
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