Plaza Celebrates 93rd Commencement in New, More Spacious Venue

By Seasons staff

Plaza College’s 93rd Commencement was held on Friday June 18, 2010. This year, approximately 240 students graduated with their Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees. Along with the usual bundle of nerves, excitement, and celebration, this year’s ceremony presented a unique challenge to the students, faculty and administration of Plaza: a new venue.

Instead of holding the ceremony at LaGuardia Community College, this year Plaza’s administration decided to move to Queens College, in the Kupferburg Center (Colden Auditorium).

“The motivation to move to Queens College was the size of our graduating class. We didn’t fit at LaGuardia anymore. We wanted students to be able to celebrate with their families,” said Dr. Edward Dee, Associate Dean of Institutional Research, and co-director of planning Graduation.

Director of Student Services, Dawn Vetrano, also served as co-director with Dr. Dee. Although the venue was larger, moving to Queens College took much more planning than in the past.

“We were most worried about students being able to get there on time due to limited public transportation. We were concerned about accessibility and weather. In terms of the ceremony, we focused on timing. We wanted everything to look cohesive, as if Graduation had always taken place in that venue,” Director Vetrano said.

Initially, the administration faced a most daunting task: Plaza’s staff did not have access to the auditorium until 8AM on the morning of graduation; therefore, everything had to be set up by 9AM, so that the ceremony could begin on time. Since June is the height of the graduation season, another college was graduating in the afternoon; thus, Plaza’s commencement had to be finished by 11:30 AM, which left little room for complications.

“I worried about the stuff that we couldn’t control: traffic, people arriving late, and the weather,” Dr. Dee added.

From the beginning, though, Dr. Dee and Director Vetrano found great resources in the staff at Queens College.

“They were very friendly, open, supportive, and helpful,” said Dr. Dee.

The Plaza community woke on Friday, June 18th to find a classically gorgeous New York summer morning: warm, sunny, not a cloud in the sky. Plaza staff and ambassadors arrived at Plaza by 6:30 AM to take a chartered bus to Queens College. The bus left Plaza at 7:00 AM sharp and arrived at Queens College at 7:20 AM.

In order to help with the ceremony, Dean Lin Loffert and Professor Jonathan Howle invited nine of Plaza’s finest students to serve as ambassadors. This year’s ambassadors were: Richard Melara, Tiffany Graham, Evelyn Cabrera, Janet Hill, Mary Brunetti, Lawanna Dean, Roberto Valle Mojica, Yolanda Caro, and Eunice Sanchez.

“I was so excited to be asked! It gave me an idea of what to expect from my graduation,” Ms. Graham said.

Ms. Cabrera added, “I was here [Plaza College] by 5:30 AM. I was so happy to be asked to help.”

After what appeared to be a seamless setup, the ceremony began at 9:10 AM. With the VonGuffeld String Quartet providing the music, the graduates processed, followed by the faulty and administration. President Charles E. Callahan opened the ceremony and then introduced Dean Marie Dolla, Dean of Academic Affairs.

As she does in her Graduation addresses, Dean Dolla highlighted the achievements of one student, in particular, whose achievements, in spite of prodigious obstacles, were stunning. This year, Dean Dolla focused on graduate Segundo Sumido, Jr. Dean Dolla beamed that Mr. Sumido Jr’s story was unique, yet similar to many members of the graduating class, in that it told a story of dedication and perseverance.

Shortly after moving to the United States, Mr. Sumido helped care for his mother for several years after she suffered a stroke. Sadly, his mother passed away in 2007. It was this experience that led him to the medical profession.

In her speech, Dean Dolla said, “As this graduate told his story, I could feel the goodness that is inside of him. His story touched my heart in a very special way. His dedication to family and to the sick, along with his compassion, warmth, gentleness, and kindness are gifts that he will give to all folks for whom he will care.”

After Dean Dolla’s address, Dean Lin Loffert introduced student speaker Elizabeth Rodriguez, who also happens to be a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. It was a particularly special day for Ms. Rodriguez, for her daughter, Sabrina Guzman, was also a member of the 2010 graduating class. Ms. Rodriguez’s words were full of passion, hope, and eloquence.

“Plaza College saved my life. Just like many of you, I was given a second chance…The sky is the limit for all of us! We have demonstrated to the school, the community, and the world that there is absolutely nothing our class cannot do. For example, in one day we raised $3000 for the Haiti Relief Initiative,” said Ms. Rodriguez.

She ended her speech with words that brought the graduates to their feet:

“Looking out at you, I see nurses, doctors, writers, and teachers in the audience. I see and feel success. I smell victory and pride in the air. Can’t you smell it? I do!”

Ms. Rodriguez’s speech reached everyone, including the ambassadors, who found in her that day, a role model.

“I loved Elizabeth Rodriguez’s speech. It was very emotional. I was crying,” says Ms. Cabrera.

After Ms. Rodriguez spoke, Dr. Dee offered the Deans’ Address with his signature blend of great humor and wisdom; however, there was nothing ironic in his central message to the graduates:

“Every moment you need to make choices, important ones and inconsequential ones. Most of the time you won’t know which is which until long after it’s done. If I want you to remember anything from this speech, it is that you think when you need to make a choice,” Dr. Dee said.

After Dr. Dee’s address, Dean Tolan presented the class of 2010 by reading each name aloud. When all graduates had been recognized, President Charles E. Callahan announced the Conferring of Degrees.

The ceremony ended at 10:45, which left ample time for pictures in front of the auditorium. Director Vetrano could not have been more pleased.

“I was elated with the way the day turned out. The weather was phenomenal, and I felt that the faculty, staff, and administration worked as a team to make it the students’ day. I was most proud of the team effort.”

When asked her opinion of the venue change, she replied, “I could work in this space again because I felt it was very accessible for family members, and the stage itself, being a concert stage, was quite impressive.”

Dr. Dee adds, “There are always places to improve. There are things we will do differently next year, but on the whole, for the first time in this space, and given all the things that could have gone wrong but didn’t, I’m really happy.”

Perhaps Provost Charles Callahan III said it best.

“Without a doubt, it was the best graduation ever,” Provost Callahan said.

Image Gallery