Iona College Congratulates the Class of 2011

The rain falling on New York City Sunday did little to dampen the spirits of ’s graduating class of 2011 who, with smiling faces, grasped their diplomas.

The ceremony held in the recently completed Jacob K, Javits North Hall saw 685 graduates complete the collegiate career and the beginning of their professional journey. But for Iona College President Br. James Liguori it is the end of his. 

Liguori presided over his 17th ceremony and the Christian Brothers college’s 67th commencement. The ceremony is the conclusion of his 18-year term as the president of Iona College. To bookend his career, the college awarded the long-time president with a Doctorate in Humane Letters.

He left the Class of 2011 with a few words, reminding them, “There is a time for everything. But more importantly a time to come and a time to go.

“A lot will go into graduate studies or professional schools,” Ligouri said to New Rochelle Patch, adding, “I love graduations, and it is an honor to see this class as my last. I just say this one piece of advice. Network.”

Jesse Ouellette, 22, from New Rochelle addressed the graduates as their selected speaker. He is the second person on his father’s side to go to college and will be working for an entire year after graduation to save up for law school and train for the LSAT.

In his speech, he challenged the grads to use what they have learned to influence and affect change in the world that they are going to join.

“Influence is key. Take what you learned here and apply it to all branches of life,” said Ouellette.

The graduates listened closely to the commencement addressed delivered by New York Universtiy President John Sexton. He warned the graduates to slow down and take in all the little moments life has to offer.

The 685 graduates all clapped and cheered as Provost Warren Rosenberg called their names and told them that they could move their tassels from the right to the left, the culmination of the graduation ceremony, which was met with thunderous applause from the sea of parents and family members that filled the North Hall of the Javits Center.

But the celebration was not over. The students of the class of 2011 created a video tribute for Ligouri that was shown on one of the many screens available for family members sitting far away from the stage.

Once the video ended, the graduates lead the wave of people standing to applaud the long time Christian Brother for his dedication and service to Iona College, an applause that lasted until Ligouri had to quell the crowd.

It was graduate Kyle D. Harry who said it best: “You have enriched us and taught us how to be ethical and skilled decision makers. For that we all say, Thank you!”

But some graduates know that the world is not as ready for them as they wish and realize that the world is a little tough right now.

“I feel like a grown up all in one summer,” said Corey Fisher, 21. Fisher is not taking a break from her studies. She is going to Columbia University’s Teachers College to finish her work in Speech Pathology—but to top that all of she is engaged to Class of 2011 Valedictorian and Business Administration gold medal recipient Matt Barke. They are hoping to wed in the near future.

Ouellette, a political science major, said he is planning to work a year in the city to save up.

“It is the smartest thing I can do,” he said.