Nassau Community College 2013 commencement
Students celebrate their graduation during the Nassau Community College commencement ceremony. (May 22, 2013) Credit: Steve Pfost
Nassau Community College's 53rd annual commencement was held Wednesday night at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale.
Graduates:
1,863 associate in arts degrees, 641 associate in applied science degrees, 910 associate in science degrees.
Keynote speaker
Acting president Kenneth Saunders told graduates that as they go on to acquire more intelligence, money and power to show gratitude for what they already have. "It is through your use of your gifts in recognition of your own wants but also, and as importantly, in service of others' needs, that you can fulfill the obligation to act effectively, productively and humanly on the gifts you have been given."
Student speaker
Valedictorian Logan Kenney, of Long Beach, reminded fellow graduates how much they've supported each other. "In our two years we have grown tremendously. We have been through heartbreak. We have experienced loss. Devastation hit our community in October with Hurricane Sandy. We have endured life's challenges and we are finishing on top."
Trustee speaker
Dr. Jorge Gardyn, vice chairman of the board of trustees and an internist at Nassau University Medical Center, offered his congratulations. "You, the graduates of 2013, are the reason for the existence of this college. Your hard work, your perseverance, your drive and your desire to succeed are the hallmarks that have led to where you are today."
Graduates
Ingrid Gaona, 20, of Huntington
associate in liberal arts
"I'm going to Stony Brook to study health care administration. I want to work with elderly people. I love elderly people."
Anthony Frangella, 30, of Oyster Bay
paralegal certificate
"My plan is to get into a law firm and go to law school while working."
Arielle Dugue, 22, of Rockville Centre
associate in fine arts
"I'm going to LIU Post. I've been drawing since I was young and I'm thinking about going into teaching art to little kids."
Adam Novak, 37, of Woodbury
associate in mortuary science
"It is actually the family business. I was sort of forced out of finance, so here I am. I'm hoping to put a different spin on a morbid occurrence."
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Newsday Live Author Series: Bobby Flay Newsday Live and Long Island LitFest present a conversation with Emmy-winning host, professional chef, restaurateur and author Bobby Flay. Newsday food reporter and critic Erica Marcus hosts a discussion about the chef's life, four-decade career and new cookbook, "Bobby Flay: Chapter One."
