Adelphi University holds 121st commencement
Latifa Benson, of Staten Island, cheers after receiving her bachelor's degree in education during Adelphi's commencement ceremony at Northwell at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh on Sunday, May 21, 2017. Credit: Johnny Milano
Adelphi University held its 121st commencement Sunday at Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater.
Number of graduates
1,316 undergraduate degrees, 820 graduate degrees and 39 doctoral degrees.
Commencement speaker
Al Trautwig, a pre- and post-game host for the New York Knicks and Rangers on MSG Network and a 1978 Adelphi graduate, told students that “for most of you this day marks the end of your pregame show. Now the real game begins. This is what you must do as soon as possible: tell yourself what standard you want to set...Then every time you succeed or fail you can honestly see if you did everything that you could. You have to be brutally honest with yourself because that is what life will be with you.”
Student speaker
Georgia Linaris, president of Adelphi’s Class of 2017, urged students to look at their education as a long-sought treasure. “Going to college is like discovering a treasure map: enticing, appealing, charming, even if it can be a bit risky,” said Linaris, 21, of Queens. “The treasure at the end of the map is different for everyone ... today at commencement, we finally reached that mysterious “X” that marked the spot.”
Graduates
Olivia Autry, 23, biology
Autry, of Baldwin, said she was excited to be receiving her master’s degree from Adelphi’s Robert B. Willumstad School of Business, but the achievement was even sweeter because her mother, Karen Autry, also of Baldwin, was receiving her master’s degree in psychology Sunday. “It was really inspiring that I wasn’t doing it alone,” she said. “And it really gave me a new respect for my mom.”
Emil Bordzynski, 21, biology
Commencement Speaker Al Trautwig addresses graduates during Adelphi's graduation at Northwell at Jones Beach Theater, May 20, 2017. Credit: Johnny Milano
Bordynski, of Queens, received his bachelor’s degree Sunday, but said it was just the beginning of his education — he wants to go on to medical school. “I’m excited and determined still,” he said. “My education is very important to me. I plan to work as an EMT during my year off and I’m willing to work and take out loans because I believe in education.”
Denise Rapp, 50, social work
Rapp, of West Islip, said “the journey to get here was very tough, tedious, but I was completely motivated to do so...It took me eight years as a returning student to get my associate degree, my bachelor’s and now master’s.” She plans to work with former military personnel.
Laianna Wright, 22, music with a minor in African-American studies
“I’m looking to go into higher ed,” said Wright, of the Bronx. “I want to help students find their way in life and find the career path that works best for them. I know it was tough for me ... Adelphi opened me up to so many opportunities.”
