Suffolk County Community College 2013 commencement

Number of graduates 3,890, according to spokeswoman Mary Lou Araneo

Commencement speaker

Dr. Harold A. Fernandez, professor of surgery and co-director of the Stony Brook University Heart Institute; deputy chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery. He wrote the memoir "Undocumented: My Journey to Princeton and Harvard and Life as a Heart Surgeon" about coming to the United States from Colombia at age 13 as an undocumented immigrant.

"Tomorrow, you'll start to reflect on the work you've done so far and you'll try to work to make your dreams a reality," Fernandez said. "In America, you don't have to be born with a silver spoon to make a dream a reality."

Graduates

Henry Figueroa, 21

associate degree, liberal arts

"I'm going to continue my education and see what goes from there. I can't tell what the future holds for me -- I can do anything."

Letiscia Owusu, 23

associate degree, liberal arts

"I've been accepted into Suffolk County Community College's nursing program. I feel so good. I'm so happy."

Luis Teran, 39

associate degree, English

"I'm a filmmaker and I want to get my bachelor's degree in English to gain credibility as a writer/director. . . . I've been accepted to Stony Brook University and am starting in the fall."

Chanel Morrison, 20

associate degree, liberal arts

"I'm going to Touro College for physical therapy school."

Anselmo Martinez, 46

associate degree, applied science

"I'm planning to go to SUNY Farmingdale for a bachelor's degree in architecture."