MORRISVILLE, NY— A sea of green decorated the Morrisville State College recreation center during the college’s 104th commencement exercises held today.
Graduates donned green caps and gowns and celebrated alongside family and friends amid a stage adorned with a lavish display of flowers, grown by students in the college’s horticulture program and arranged by graduating seniors from the program.
Dr. William Murabito, interim president, was joined by Dr. David Rogers, provost and chief information officer, school deans and members of the college council in presiding over the ceremony which began with a 20-piece Scottish bagpipe band leading graduates into the formal commencement exercises.
Student Government Organization (SGO) president Vanessa Connally addressed fellow classmates during the ceremony. “Morrisville has taught me that college isn’t just about what you know. It’s also about who you know. Everyone you’ve met and will meet, will impact your life,” she said. “Morrisville has given us everything we need, teachers who will always serve as mentors, skills and confidence in the job market and the art of making anything possible. Go out there and do it with me.”
Ithaca Mayor Svante L. Myrick, one of the youngest mayors in US history, praised graduates. “You are our world leaders already. There isn’t anything else anyone here can teach you about making a success of yourself. You have a world in front of you and the keys to be successful in whatever you want to do. The question is, what do you want to do? What don’t you?” Myrick asked.
He advised graduates not to get caught up in living their lives posting what they want others to see on Facebook and Instagram, something indicative of their generation, the “us millennials, the selfie generation.”
“How many of you have done something just for the pictures that you could post online? There is a sense that your life must be pleasing or impressive to other people. As you choose friends and careers and life partners, you will be tempted to find those that look good to the outside world, but don’t make you happy."
“You will face moments when you lose people close to you in your life, when doors that were open will close in your face, and you will face hardship. When the days are long and the nights are dark, the likes on your Instagram page and the approval of others, is not what will keep you warm. The memories you build yourself, the good deeds that are intrinsically rewarding, that you helped folks not because it looked good, but because it felt good—that is the life you deserve. When those days get long and those nights get dark, you will be glad that you did not live a life worth ‘liking.’ You lived a life worth loving.”
Myrick also urged graduates not to erase the mistakes they have made and will make in life. “Don’t wipe them away. Cross them out and acknowledge them, but leave them there so you can learn from them.”
During the ceremony, the college honored renowned cardiovascular and thoracic transplant surgeon, Dr. Alfred (Cy) J. Tector, Class of ’53, for his commitment to education and excellence, with an honorary Doctor of Science degree, (Sc.D).
Other awards noted during the ceremony were:
- Philip Hofmeyer, of Munnsville, assistant professor of Renewable Energy was recognized for receiving the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.
- Brian Tefft, of Norwich, computer services technician and library assistant at the Norwich Campus received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service.
- Timothy W. Gerken, of Garrattsville, associate professor of humanities, received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service.
- Mark P. Lewis, of Madison, wastewater treatment plant operator, received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service.
- Susan M. Hoffmann, of Cazenovia, adjunct instructor of office administration, received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching
- Roberta Sloan, of Utica, received the Morrisville State College Distinguished Faculty Award.
Graduating students Shannon Greene, of Sauquoit, a horticulture greenhouse production associate degree major and Gilroy Alvarez, of the Bronx, a business administration bachelor degree major, were recognized for winning the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence.
Morrisville State’s curricula are enriched with applied learning and pave the way for opportunity at both the Morrisville and Norwich campuses. An action-oriented, interactive learning lab, the college is a national leader in technology and has been lauded for its exemplary, innovative and effective community service programs.
In addition to being named to the 2014 President’s Higher Community Education Service Honor Roll, the college was recognized by U.S. News and World Report as an institution in the top tier of the Best Regional Colleges list and ranked second among regional colleges nationwide for outperforming its anticipated graduation rate.