DATE: Saturday, May 9
TIME: 1 p.m.
LOCATION: Morrisville State College Recreation Center
APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF GRADUATION CANDIDATES: 725
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Ithaca Mayor Svante L. Myrick
Born and raised in Earlville, Svante Myrick was sworn into office in January 2012 and became, at 24, the City of Ithaca’s youngest mayor and first mayor of color. He was first elected to the Common Council at the age of 20 while still a junior at Cornell University. He is one of the youngest mayors in US history and one of the few to be popularly elected by city-wide vote.
Myrick’s first budget included a radical overhaul of city government that merged departments, streamlined processes and successfully closed a $3 million deficit— all while delivering the lowest tax increase in the City of Ithaca since the year 2000.
His active advocacy in Albany and in Washington D.C. has resulted in more than $20 million of grants and awards from the state and federal government. Myrick also turned his dedicated mayoral parking space into a public park, brought fireworks back to the City on the Fourth of July and moved Ithaca into the 21st century by embracing social media and overhauling the city’s web presence.
His recent accomplishments include revisions to the City of Ithaca’s sidewalk policy, an overhaul of storm water utility legislation, successful implementation of the total rehabilitation of the Commons, Ithaca’s downtown pedestrian mall, and making changes within the Ithaca Police Department in an effort to improve police and community relations.
A youth advocate, Myrick chaired the committee to create the Ithaca Youth Council in 2008, his first year in office. His experience with poverty and homelessness as a child has shaped some of his political beliefs and passion for public service. Myrick earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from Cornell University.
UNIQUE ASPECTS: The colorful ceremony will begin with the Syracuse Scottish Bagpipe Band leading graduates into the formal commencement exercises. The stage will be adorned with flowers grown and supplied by students in the college's horticulture program and arranged by graduating seniors from the program.
OTHER: During the ceremony, the college will honor 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).
SHUTTLE SERVICE: The campus shuttle service will be available to transport guests to the ceremony.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: For more information, visit www.morrisville.edu/commencement or contact the Morrisville State College Public Relations Office at 315.684.6041.