St. Lawrence University
Luke Ronayne of Huntington was one of more than 550 members of St. Lawrence University’s Class of 2023 took part in the commencement ceremonies at Newell Field House in Canton, New York.
Ronayne majored in history. Ronayne attended Chaminade High School.
Attendees and livestream listeners heard remarks from University President Kathryn A. Morris, St. Lawrence’s 2023 Joan Donovan Speech Contest Winner Brian Uceta, Class of 2023 President Grace Wagshul, St. Lawrence professor of biology and psychology and co-department chair of biology Ana Estevez, and honorary degree recipient and alumna, Gina Kingsbury.
Hamilton College
Erin Tannenbaum, of Cold Spring Harbor received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hamilton College in a Commencement ceremony concluding the college’s 211th year.
Tannenbaum majored in world politics.
Retired Navy Adm. Michelle J. Howard, the first female four-star admiral and chair of the 2020-22 Congressional Naming Commission, was awarded an honorary degree and delivered the Commencement address.
SUNY Oneonta
1,150 SUNY Oneonta students completed the requirements for a bachelor’s degree following the Fall 2023 semester. Graduates were honored and recognized during ceremonies held in the Dewar Arena of the Alumni Field House.
Local students who graduated include:
Jolie Anreder of Melville (11747)
Luis Arriaza of Commack (11725)
Emily Cavanagh of Commack (11725)
Hannah Colasacco of Dix Hills (11746)
Katelyn Colombo of Commack (11725)
Crystal Curcio of Commack (11725)
Christy Davniero of Northport (11768)
Taylor Femia of Dix Hills (11746)
Angelina Fermoselle of Dix Hills (11746)
Rachel Forman of Commack (11725)
Joseph Genovese of Commack (11725)
Hannah Giambertone of Commack (11725)
Christopher Gonzalez Engle of Huntington (11743)
Charles Hardwick of Huntington (11743)
Jack Lehmann of Dix Hills (11746)
Sophia Little of Northport (11768)
Matthew LoPresti of Melville (11747)
Grace Luby of Northport (11768)
Thomas Maerz of Huntington (11743)
Hayden Meisner of Melville (11747)
Charles Moehring of Dix Hills (11746)
Ryan Riordan of Melville (11747)
Nicole Salvatore of Commack (11725)
Kayla Sarcona of Huntington (11743)
Max Scheinman of Dix Hills (11746)
Michaela Soury of Dix Hills (11746)
Daniel Spreckels of Huntington (11743)
Samantha Vincent of Huntington Station (11746)
Carly Waszczak of Northport (11768)
Jessica Whitney of Commack (11725)
SUNY Oneonta is a public, four-year university in Central New York, enrolling about 5,500 students in a wide variety of bachelor’s degree programs and more than a dozen graduate certificate and degree programs. https://suny.oneonta.edu/
University of Maryland Global Campus
Ovie Idise of Huntington Station, earned a(n) Associate of Arts from University of Maryland Global Campus in spring 2023.
Idise was one of nearly 3,400 students who earned degrees from UMGC in the spring semester. Graduates came from all 50 states, four U.S. territories, and 22 countries. The average age of a UMGC graduate in the spring class of 2023 is 35 years old.
University of Maryland Global Campus was founded more than 75 years ago specifically to serve the higher education needs of working adults and military servicemembers. visit umgc.edu.
American International College
Nyree Spears of South Huntington has been awarded a Bachelor of Science from American International College (AIC) in Springfield, MA. Nyree joins all of AIC’s 2023 graduates in receiving well-deserved congratulations for their achievements.
Founded in 1885, American International College (AIC) is a private, co-educational, doctoral granting institution located in Springfield, Massachusetts, comprising the School of Business, Arts and Sciences, the School of Education, and the School of Health Sciences. AIC supports and advances education, diversity, and opportunity for its students and the community.
Muhlenberg College
More than 500 members of Muhlenberg’s Class of 2023 gathered at PPL Center in Allentown to celebrate. Surrounded by friends and family, the graduates reveled in one another’s achievements, cheering and clapping despite the request to hold reactions until all the names were read.
No one could blame them, though, as the crowd was even more exuberant. After persevering through Zoom University (the early pandemic-era online and hybrid courses), as it was jokingly put by senior-class speaker Nour Yousry, the Class of 2023 had earned their jubilation.
Local students included:
Melville (11747) resident Alexandra Chirinkin graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.A. – Bachelor of Arts Degree in the Economics Major and Finance Major.
Huntington (11743) resident Julia De Vita graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. – Bachelor of Arts Degree in the Theatre Major and Media and Communication Major and a Women’s and Gender Studies Minor.
Huntington (11746) resident Julia De Vita graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. – Bachelor of Arts Degree in the Theatre Major and Media and Communication Major and a Women’s and Gender Studies Minor.
College President Kathleen Harring presided over the ceremony, telling the graduates, “It has been a privilege to serve as your president and I am incredibly proud of you and all your outstanding accomplishments.”
College of Charleston
The College of Charleston celebrated Spring 2023 Commencement with three ceremonies on May 12 & 13, 2023.
Kayla Grignano of Northport (11768), graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology .
Ryann Tracy of South Hunting (11746), graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing .
Tatiana Porteus of South Hunting (11746), graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration .
Samantha Healey of Cold Spring Harbor (11724), graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology .
Patrick Dooley of Dix Hills (11746), graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration .
Giavanna Castro of Dix Hills (11746), graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Biology .
Casey Sherlock of South Hunting (11746), graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication .
Bridget Smyth of Halesite (11743), graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health .
The College of Charleston is a public liberal arts and sciences university located in the heart of historic Charleston, South Carolina. Founded in 1770, the College is among the nation’s top universities for quality education, student life and affordability. With more than 10,000 students, the College of Charleston offers the distinctive combination of a beautiful and historic campus, modern facilities and cutting-edge programs.
DeSales University
Huntington resident Caroline G. Garretson graduated from DeSales University with a bachelor of science in Medical Studies during the University’s 54th Commencement ceremony at the PPL Center in Allentown Pa.
Father James Greenfield, OSFS ’84, Ed.D., president, described the Class of 2023 as the COVID Class, having overcome countless obstacles throughout the pandemic to truly embody the spirit of being ready for anything.
Quoting Pope Francis, he said that “Perhaps the mission of the university is to train social poets, men and women who, upon learning the grammar and vocabulary of humanity, have a spark, a brilliance that allows them to imagine the unknown.”
He concluded on an optimistic note; “Enjoy the relay of your life. Carpe all your diems. Keep the faith. Be generous with your time, your talent, and your treasure-especially to your alma mater-and you will truly be ready for anything. Just remember; whatever happens in your life you will be in our prayers at DeSales University. You will always have a home here to come back to, to renew your heart, and to refresh your spirit.”
Fr. Greenfield conferred degrees upon 429 graduate and undergraduate students. An additional 136 students, who have either already received their diplomas or who will be receiving them in the next several months, also were recognized.
James Madison University
James Madison University is pleased to announce the following students who graduated during the May 2023 commencement exercises.
Samantha Leace of Commack graduated with a degree(s) in Education 5th Yr – MAT.
Michael Tallo of Huntington Station graduated with a degree(s) in Sport and Recreation Management – BS.
Taylor Giordano of Northport graduated with a degree(s) in Education 5th Yr – MAT.
Courtney Forberg of Huntington graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree(s) in Integrated Science and Technology – BS.
Founded in 1908, James Madison University is a public university located in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.
Holy Cross
Holy Cross celebrated nearly 762 bachelor of arts degree recipients at its 177th Commencement held in person on Friday, May 26 at the DCU Center in Worcester. U.S. Senator Peter Welch ’69 of Vermont, a Class of 1969 alumnus, delivered this year’s address to the Class of 2023 and received an honorary degree.
Vincent D. Rougeau, president of the College, presided over the celebratory event, bestowing the honorary degrees and greeting each graduate as they crossed the stage.
In his remarks, Welch said the social mission of Holy Cross – that achievements should be shared and used for the betterment of others – left an indelible mark on him.
Welch also assured graduates that they are capable of facing the great odds of today to accomplish great things for the future.
“You are strong and ready. Your shared experience at Holy Cross has made you so,” said Welch. “The Holy Cross commitment to intellectual and open inquiry and using our talents for good is something this institution has preserved and passed on to one generation after another since 1843. This experience and commitment will make you the builders of tomorrow.”
In addition to Welch, Holy Cross also awarded an honorary degree to Rosanne Haggerty, an internationally recognized social entrepreneur and leader in developing innovative strategies to end homelessness. Haggerty is the president and chief executive officer of Community Solutions, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending homelessness she founded in 2011.
The following local students earned degrees:
Michael Droesch of Cold Spring Harbor (11724),
Robert Posillico of Huntington (11743), Summa Cum Laude
Maria Galvez of Cold Spring Harbor (11724),
Christine Fabrizi of Northport (11768), Cum Laude
Corinne Cooper of Huntington Station (11746)
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
President Grace Wang and Board of Trustees Chair William Fitzgerald presided over Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s 154th Commencement exercises on May 13, marking the first time for both in their respective positions. In her remarks, President Wang, who officially joined WPI in early April, applauded the graduates for their dedication, persistence, passion for their field of study, and achievements. “You have earned your place among generations of exceptional WPI alumni. I hope you will take the opportunity, as they did, to push boundaries, explore unknowns, and deliver a tangible and profound impact to the world.”
In his commencement address to undergraduates titled, “Don’t Switch Off Your Conscience,” Congressman James P. McGovern, who represents the Massachusetts second congressional district, urged graduates not to forget about the moral and ethical consequences of their work. “I ask you to stay true to yourself and the values you have learned at WPI. As citizens of the world, you have a responsibility to the greater good. To ask yourself not only what is profitable, but what is just. To ask yourself not only what is efficient, but what is equitable. And to ask yourself not only what is innovative, but what is honorable.”
The following students were bestowed degrees:
Nathaniel Gamboa of Huntington, New York, majored in Applied Physics
Kirsten Roethel of Northport, New York, majored in Interactive Media and Game Development