Monroe College Celebrates the Class of 2011

The grey of the Jacob Javits Center’s North hall was flooded by a wave of blue and gold as the Monroe College’s Class of 2011 celebrated their graduation.

Around 900 graduates from the New Rochelle campus of Monroe College attended the ceremony Saturday. The late afternoon affair was one of three graduations the college had for its three campus that saw 16,500 graduates, friends and family members pack the Javits center.

In his greeting to the class college President Stephen J. Jerome charged the graduates with a simple challenge, “Use your Monroe education to find a job [you] are passionate about.”

The ceremony began with a traditional procession of faculty and staff,  but was followed by a parade of flags.  The flags represent the international student body that takes classes at the New Rochelle campus of Monroe College.

“Very few classes truly represent the world into which they are going into,” said Executive Vice President Marc M. Jerome during his address to the graduating class.

Students from their respective countries held the flags from Brazil, India, Barbados and many island nations in the Caribbean, flying them proudly along side the U.S. flag during the opening ceremony.

Senator Allen M. Chastanet, from the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation of Saint Lucia, gave the commencement address Saturday. He reminded students of the necessity of thinking out of the box.

“Step out of the box and don’t be afraid to make mistakes,” said Chastanet. “Don’t waste your energy on what you can not change. But use your ALL of your energy to changes the things you can.”

He applauded the success of the class but also asked them to use their talents and efforts to make the world a better place.

“To the students from the Caribbean: We need you. Come and help build and use your talent,” said the senator to the Caribbean students in the graduating class.

But the graduating class of 2011 is already busy at work.

Yelenia Perez of Mount Vernon received her associate's degree in culinary arts; but she has already opened her own catering business in her hometown.  She plans on growing her business.

Another culinary arts student Lukia Bradley of Brooklyn is working as a sous-chef  at the Mosaic Café in Brooklyn.

Others are going to continue their studies. Erdre Jefers calls New Rochelle home but is originally from St. Kitts and Nevis. The 23-year-old earned her bachelor's degree in business Saturday, but is already on track to complete her master's degree in the next year.

“I plan to finish my degree and return to St. Kitts. I want to be the hospital administrator for the major hospital,” said Jefers.

“I am going to continue to my Bachelor's degree so I can one day work for a huge accounting firm,” said John Mourning of the Bronx, who earned his associate's degree in accounting.

Gwyneth Fellows initially went to Monroe College to just get some information, but the friendly environment and thoughtful admissions counselor led her to pursue an associate's degree in medical administration.

“I did this to be busy while my husband worked," said the 62-year-old Sierra Leone native. "But being with the younger adults has really made me want to work with the youth of the nation. I am going to continue my education and gain my bachelor's degree – even if he is sent away. I will stay and finish at Monroe."