Monroe College Confers Degrees on 2,600 Students Representing 53 Countries at 85th Annual Commencement
NYPD First Deputy Commissioner Benjamin Tucker and Assemblyman Marcos Crespo Deliver Commencement Addresses at Radio City Music Hall
Monroe College, a national leader in educating urban and international students, held its 85th Annual Commencement yesterday at Radio City Music Hall in midtown Manhattan. Benjamin Tucker, the First Deputy Commissioner of the New York Police Department, and Marcos Crespo, a member of the New York State Assembly, gave the keynote addresses.
Two separate ceremonies were held to accommodate the families and friends of the 2,600 students earning Associate, Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees and professional certificates. Marc M. Jerome, President of Monroe College, and Stephen J. Jerome, Chairman and President Emeritus, offered welcoming remarks.
Graduates participating in the morning ceremony completed programs of study in the School of Allied Health Professions, School of Criminal Justice, School of Education, and School of Nursing. Dr. Alex Ephrem, a senior vice president who joined the College in 1980 and leads the King Graduate School, served as Grand Marshal of the processional. Keynote speaker Benjamin Tucker, First Deputy Commissioner of the New York Police Department (NYPD), warmly encouraged the graduates to push themselves with confidence as they persevere in their personal and professional endeavors.
The afternoon ceremony conferred degrees on graduates from Monroe’s School of Business and Accounting, School of Hospitality Management and the Culinary Institute of New York, and School of Information Technology. Pamela Randall, Assistant Dean for Academic Technology led the processional as Grand Marshall, an honor reflecting her three decades of service to the College. New York State Assembly Member Marcos Crespo, who represents the 85th Assembly District, gave a rousing keynote address that challenged graduates to find strength in their diversity and use it to improve their communities and the world.
Graduates in the Class of 2018 represented more than 50 countries. In addition to students from the U.S. and its territories, there were sizable contingents from Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Bangladesh, China, Dominica, India, Jamaica, Japan, and St. Kitts and Nevis participating in yesterday’s ceremonies.
The College conferred 450 Master’s degrees; 1,095 Bachelor’s degrees; and 1,036 Associate degrees this year, as well as awarded 50 professional certificates.
ABOUT MONROE COLLEGE
Founded in 1933, Monroe College is a recognized leader in urban and international education. The College is proud of its innovative programs to increase college access, affordability, and completion outcomes, especially among first-generation students. The strength of its warm, supportive culture is reflected in the personal connections fostered among students, faculty, and staff.
Monroe educates close to 8,000 students each year, offering Certificate, Associate, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degree programs from campuses in the Bronx, New Rochelle, and St. Lucia. Students may also take courses online.
Programs are offered through seven academic schools, including the Schools of Allied Health Professions, Business & Accounting, Criminal Justice, Education, Hospitality Management and the Culinary Institute of New York (CINY), Information Technology, and Nursing, as well as through King Graduate School. Liberal arts and continuing education programs are also available. For more information and admissions criteria, please visit http://www.monroecollege.edu.