The Sixty-Third Commencement Virtual Exercises€¦ · new Global Headquarters in New York City. Prior to his position at Citibank, he was Managing Director, Global Head of Real Estate

The Sixty-Third Commencement Virtual Exercises Friday, May 8, 2020

2:00 PM

The Commencement Program

INTRODUCTION & INVOCATION

Margaret M. Fitzpatrick, S.C.

President

THE NATIONAL ANTHEM By Francis Scott Key

STAC Singers

WELCOME

Peter Skae Chairman, Board of Trustees

THE COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS

Arthur C. Brooks Professor of the Practice of Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School

and Arthur C. Patterson Faculty Fellow at the Harvard Business School

PRESENTATION OF HONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENTS.

Arthur C. Brooks

Doctor of Public Service by

Margaret M. Fitzpatrick, S.C ~

Charles J. Maikish

Doctor of Commercial Science by

Margaret M. Fitzpatrick, S.C

TRUSTEES’ AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE

Dr. Suzanne Reynolds

Assistant Dean for the School of Education and Professor of Mathematics Education

by Dr. Meenakshi Gajria

Dean for the School of Education

PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES

Robert Murray Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

CONFERRING OF DEGREES

Margaret M. Fitzpatrick, S.C.

AWARDING OF DIPLOMAS

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES FOR THE DEGREES OF BACHELOR OF ARTS, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE, ASSOCIATE IN ARTS,

AND

FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Heath Bowen, Dean

~

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE

AND FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Michael J. Murphy, Dean

~

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION

AND FOR THE DEGREES OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION, MASTER OF SCIENCE IN TEACHING,

AND THE POST MASTERS PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE

Meenakshi Gajria, Dean

~

CONFERRING OF EMERITUS STATUS

Dr. Charles O’Neill Professor Emeritus of English

By Heath Bowen

Dr. Marie Postner Professor Emerita of Mathematics and Computer Science

By Heath Bowen

COMPLETION OF HONORS PROGRAM OF STUDY

Ryan D. Wynne Director, Honors Program

Kellyann Averill, Devin Michael Beckmann, Aliza Curray Deen, Isabella Rose Diaz, Matthew Alexander Grieco, Maria Rose Keegan, Rebecca MacLeod, Melissa Mounier,

Paul Francis Owens, Gary Michael Peters, Zachary Thomas Rzewnicki, Ashley Rose Schmitt,

Natalia Dorota Swiecki, Hiywot B. Tadesse, Valerie Julia Winalski

~

COMPLETION OF AQUINAS LEADERS PROGRAM

Vincent Crapanzano Dean, Academic Services

Alana C. Barnes, Thomas Edward Carty, Kerry Ann Conlon, Brandon Cook, Juliet Renee Craig, Nicole Marie Faleri, Nicholas Fiore, Julia Foto, Samuel Patrick Gil, Eric Todd Hubbell,

Mikaila Elizabeth Hulse, Shkelqim Feriz Kukaj, Amanda Anna Kythreotis, Gabriella Christine Mac Kay, Anthony Charles Maisano, Jeanique Myriam Montinat, Reyan Amdi Mustafoski, Dena Elaina Pallogudis,

Emerald Quin Perez, Brandon Marc Polichetti, Tylor Jonathan Saraiva, Robert Thomas Wanamaker

~

REMARKS FOR THE CLASS OF 2020

Maria Rose Keegan, 2019 President, Student Government Association

PRESENTATION OF THE CLASS SERVICE AWARDS

Kirk A. Manning

Vice President and Dean for Student Development

GOLD KEY SERVICE AWARD

Maria Rose Keegan

Doris A. Osei

Alisa Marie Schray

Julia Amber Sibley

SILVER KEY SERVICE AWARD

Desiree Inez Bermudez

Meaghan Katherine Burke

Brittany Lepore

Gary Michael Peters

Breanna Williams

PRESENTATION OF THE SPECIAL AWARDS

Margaret M. Fitzpatrick, S.C.

THE TERENCE CARDINAL COOKE AWARD

Awarded annually to a student who has demonstrated outstanding and meritorious service.

Tyiana Marrie Nunez

THE FRANCIS CARDINAL SPELLMAN AWARD Awarded annually for highest academic excellence in

the undergraduate program.

Aliza Curray Deen

Maria Rose Keegan

Lauren Ashley Desimone

THE SISTER REGINA ROSAIRE DOLAN AWARD Awarded annually for highest academic excellence in the

School of Education graduate program.

Allison Ann Kern

~

BENEDICTION

Margaret M. Fitzpatrick, S.C.

~

GOSPEL HYMN STAC Singers

Down to the Water to Pray

COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER

Arthur C. Brooks Professor of the Practice of Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School and Arthur C. Patterson Faculty Fellow at the Harvard Business School Before joining the Harvard faculty in July of 2019, Arthur C. Brooks served for ten years as president of the Washington, D.C.-based American Enterprise Institute (AEI), one of the world’s leading think tanks.

Brooks is the author of 11 books, including the national bestsellers “Love Your Enemies” (2019), “The Conservative Heart” (2015), and “The Road to Freedom” (2012). He is also a columnist for the Washington Post, host of the popular podcast “The Arthur Brooks Show,” and subject of the 2019 documentary film “The Pursuit,” now available on Netflix. He gives more

than 100 speeches per year around the U.S., Europe, and Asia.

Brooks began his career as a classical French hornist, leaving college at 19, touring and recording with the Annapolis Brass Quintet and later the City Orchestra of Barcelona. In his late twenties, while still performing, he returned to school, earning a BA through distance learning at Thomas Edison State College, and then an MA in economics from Florida Atlantic University. At 31, he left music and earned an MPhil and PhD in public policy analysis from the Rand Graduate School, during which time he worked as an analyst for the Rand Corporation’s Project Air Force.

Brooks then spent 10 years as a university professor, becoming a full professor at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs in his seventh year out of graduate school and occupying the Louis A. Bantle Chair in Business and Government. During this decade, Brooks published 60 peer-reviewed articles and several books, including the textbook “Social Entrepreneurship” (2008).

In 2009, Brooks became the 11th president of AEI, also holding the Beth and Ravenel Curry Chair in Free Enterprise. Under his leadership, the Institute more than doubled its annual revenues, deepened its outreach to leaders across the ideological spectrum, and expanded its research portfolio to include work on poverty, happiness, and human potential. During this period, he was selected as one of Fortune Magazine’s “50 World’s Greatest Leaders” and was awarded six honorary doctorates.

Originally from Seattle, Brooks currently lives in Brookline, Massachusetts, with his wife Ester Munt-Brooks, who is a native of Barcelona. They have three children, Joaquim, Carlos, and Marina.

Today, Mr. Brooks will receive the Honorary Doctor of Public Service from St. Thomas Aquinas College.

COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER

Charles J. Maikish Member of the Board of Trustees Before retiring, Mr. Maikish was Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer for Citibank Realty Services. He was responsible for all real estate operations globally, strategic space planning, design and construction, financial and business planning, including the site selection and design for the new Global Headquarters in New York City. Prior to his position at Citibank, he was Managing Director, Global Head of Real Estate for BlackRock where he oversaw a seamless integration of two large firms, BlackRock and Barclays Global Inc. He was Executive Director of the Lower Manhattan Construction Command

Center prior to BlackRock. He was appointed by Governor Pataki and Mayor Bloomberg and was accountable directly to them for coordinating all public and private construction in Lower Manhattan because of the 9/11 attack. He oversaw the planning, construction, and development of many projects in lower Manhattan valued at over $30 billion, including the Fulton Street Transit Center, the World Trade Center Site and Memorial, the West Street Boulevard, and the new Path transit center.

Before becoming Executive Director of the Command Center, Mr. Maikish was Executive Vice President of Global Real Estate Business Services (REBS) at JP Morgan Chase. He was responsible for managing the firm’s worldwide real estate and client services, physical facilities, strategic space planning, security services, and the physical consolidations of multiple mergers. Prior to JP Morgan Chase, Mr. Maikish was in charge of facilities management at Columbia University and was responsible for property acquisition, leasing, planning, and operations. His specific focus was implementing a $650 million five-year capital program for new construction and infrastructure improvements. Mr. Maikish spent 28 years before joining Columbia University in various capacities such as a lawyer, engineer, and real estate executive with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, including Director of the World Trade Department with overall responsibility for the center including operations, marketing, leasing, capital investment, and redevelopment of the complex. He was the senior executive in charge of the recovery, reconstruction, and repositioning of the World Trade Center after the February 1993 bombing. Mr. Maikish holds a J.D. degree from New York Law School and a B.S. from St. Joseph’s College and Seminary and studied engineering at Manhattan College. He also completed the AMP program at Harvard Graduate Business School. He served on many boards in both the real estate and civic community including the Regional Planning Association, and The Liberty Science Center, and in the recent past, several business improvement districts and cultural councils. He is the recipient of many awards from various civic groups and institutions. Mr. Maikish has served as a valued member of the St. Thomas Aquinas College Board of Trustees since 2009. Today, Mr. Maikish will receive the Honorary Doctor of Commercial Science from St. Thomas Aquinas College.

THE CLASS OF 2020

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Toni Ann Buchalski General With Distinction Kristin Rose Burns Management With Distinction Patrick J. Clark General Alejandro Coyt-Orozco Finance Fiona Marie Egan Finance William Douglas Engel Finance Mark William Feller General Andreu Ferragut Lluch Management With Distinction

Megan Fitzgerald Finance Gina Loren Funaro General With Distinction Briana Nicole Hector Finance Carolyn Webb Herguth General Janice A. Julian General Nyenyeri A. Kanefu Finance Bria Nicole Manning Marketing Nicholas Nino Manocchio Finance

James C. Nawoichyk Management With Distinction Jon-Louis Palermo Finance Jimmy Philippe Finance Michael M. Rojas Finance With Distinction Orianna Jacquelyn Santiago Marketing With Distinction Dindial Saytoo Management Peter Joseph Spear Finance With Distinction

MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Natalie Albero Criminal Justice With Distinction Genevieve R. Alexis Criminal Justice With Distinction

Scott Randolph Fuller Criminal Justice Yola Halpert Criminal Justice With Distinction

Donald Williiam Hazelton Criminal Justice Amber Starr Lubaszka Criminal Justice Brandon M. Pennes Criminal Justice

POST MASTERS PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE IN EDUCATION

Dania Lee Gallagher Autism

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION

Erin C. Andrews Special Education Kristina Ann Armanda Literacy Alexandra Elisabeth Fischer Special Education Catriona Ellen Furlong Special Education With Distinction

Allison Ann Kern Literacy With Distinction Sarah Jeanne Lacker Special Education Kristina G. Mathisen Literacy

Molly Emer O'Riordan Special Education Timothy James Tucci Special Education Samantha Wolf Literacy With Distinction Kerry Ann Young Literacy

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN TEACHING

Sara P. Beck Childhood / Special Education With Distinction Allison Guerra Brown Childhood / Special Education Russell P. Brown Adolescence Education Students with Disabilities / Social Studies Jaclyn Ann Chizmadia Childhood / Special Education With Distinction Ashley Elizabeth Cotier Childhood / Special Education Lauren Michelle Dammacco Adolescence Education Students with Disabilities / English With Distinction Phillip John Demetrops Adolescence Education / Mathematics With Distinction Erik M. Feldi Adolescence Education / Social Sciences

Alexis Anne Finn Adolescence Education Students with Disabilities / Mathematics With Distinction Claudette P. Geoffroy Childhood / Special Education With Distinction Lahna E. Greene Adolescence Education Students with Disabilities / Mathematics With Distinction Lindsey M. Jochum Childhood / Special Education With Distinction Brianna Jasmine Jones Childhood / Special Education Alison P. Kohut Childhood / Special Education With Distinction Katie Marie Kopac Childhood / Special Education With Distinction

Carrie Ann Mallie Adolescence Education / English With Distinction Kristen Mary McLaughlin Adolescence Education Students with Disabilities / English With Distinction Elizabeth Auchincloss O'Neill Childhood / Special Education Meghan Anne Ottochian Childhood / Special Education Meghan Catherine Reilly Childhood / Special Education With Distinction Mariah Roman Childhood / Special Education With Distinction Rebecca Hannah Ross Childhood / Special Education Andrew Ryan Sanchez Adolescence Education / Physics With Distinction Delia Shankey Adolescence Education Students with Disabilities / English With Distinction

BACHELOR OF ARTS

Leba Leah Abramson Art Therapy Cum Laude Ruth Elizabeth Adams English Emily Victoria Almenas Visual Art Anastasia Andriopoulos Art Therapy Summa Cum Laude Carly Nicole Bonondona Communication Arts Summa Cum Laude Sekou Cisse Communication Arts Linda Angelique Contreras Art Therapy Brandon Cook English Danielle DiModugno Art / Grades K-12 Certification Elena Dongaris Art Therapy / Psychology Brian Gaetano Donnelly History Alexa D. Farese Communication Arts Danielle Elizabeth Ferguson Communication Arts Arianna Marie Fit English

Matthew Edward Garrity History Raina Rebecca Goldberg English James Hanigan Communication Arts Jack Hanlon Communication Arts Caitlin Elizabeth Harris History Emily Margaret Hazelton Communication Arts Carly Heneghan English Laura Jane Herbes English Devin Kimberly Holt Creative Writing Erin Kardos Art Therapy Summa Cum Laude Maria Rose Keegan Art Therapy / Psychology Summa Cum Laude Sarah Christine Kinsey English Amanda Anna Kythreotis Art Therapy Cum Laude Austin James Labbe History Maya LaFleur Communication Arts

Stephanie Nicole Lanaro Art Therapy Brittany Lepore Creative Writing Daniel Lopez Communication Arts Samantha Nicole Marrero History / Philosophy / Religious Studies Brandi Alexis Marulli Philosophy / Religious Studies Patrick C. McAvoy History Charles Thomas Montalbano Communication Arts Ethan Nicholas Morel Creative Writing Melissa Mounier Creative Writing / English Magna Cum Laude Erica Lynn Murphy Visual Art Courtney Marie Olsen Communication Arts Summa Cum Laude Sami Julien Osborne Romance Languages Doris A. Osei Communication Arts Cum Laude Elvira Vasquez Communication Arts

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE

Catherine Acevedo Vasquez Psychology Alicia Alvarez Marketing Nicholas Albert Alvarez Psychology East N. Assogna Criminal Justice Samuel Auguste Psychology Gianna Marie Avallone Management Cum Laude Devin J. Ayala Marketing Angelo Nathaniel Baez Social Sciences Brittany Leigh Baker Educational Studies Alanna C. Barnes Sport Management Studies Magna Cum Laude Devin Michael Beckmann Biochemistry Magna Cum Laude Mark Cristian Benitez Social Sciences Desiree Inez Bermudez Finance Yash Kamal Bhagat Biology Bryan Tyler Borruso Sport Management Studies Meaghan Kathleen Burke Criminal Justice

Skye Rose Burris Psychology Jonathan Alexander Campaña Sport Management Studies Danni Campiglia Marketing Ariel Kristen Cangialosi Visual Communications in Graphic Design Rachel Justine Carr-Repetti Psychology Thomas Edward Carty Social Sciences Adolescence Education Cum Laude Christopher William Click Criminal Justice Steven Rafael Collado Hospitality Management Kerry Ann Conlon Accounting Nathalie Cordoba Finance Juliet Renee Craig Computer Science Summa Cum Laude Rafael Keyshawn Cruz, Jr. Management Aliza Curray Deen Psychology / English Summa Cum Laude Carlee DeFrancesco Psychology Brandi Delancy Criminal Justice / Psychology

Cynthia Ann Dente Social Sciences Timothy Edward DeOnier Social Sciences Anthony Deschamps Gomez, Jr. Psychology Alyssa J. DeSimone Biology Lauren Ashley Desimone Therapeutic Recreation Summa Cum Laude Lugduni G. Desrosiers Computer Science Victoria Di Marco Exercise Science Isabella Rose Diaz Mathematics Summa Cum Laude Michael F. Diaz Criminal Justice Adrianna Dilal Criminal Justice Cum Laude Jeffrey Dominguez Sport Management Studies Gregory Donahue Business Administration Anne Earthman Criminal Justice Jordan Encarnacion Finance Gianni Christopher Esposito Computer Science Christopher Franklin Estevez Management

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE

Lauren Ann Faleri Psychology Nicole Marie Faleri Natural Sciences / Chemistry Adolescence Education Timothy Faranda Marketing Gianna Caterina Fasano Biology Travis Fay Exercise Science Tara Jean Fears Mathematics Summa Cum Laude Emily Ferretti Mathematics Mikeala S. Fils-Aime Visual Communications in Media Arts Nicholas Fiore Marketing Julia Foto Natural Sciences / Psychology Michael W. Frank Criminal Justice Jonathan Steven Garces Criminal Justice Tabitha Garcia Criminal Justice Chrysanne C. George Psychology Michael Gerace Mathematics Bianca Ellie Gibbs Criminal Justice

Samuel Patrick Gil Computer Science

Cristi Gonzalez Criminal Justice Cum Laude Gabrielle Marie Gonzalez Educational Studies Quincy Green Wright Management Matthew Alexander Grieco Psychology Magna Cum Laude Louis Marcoline Griffith Criminal Justice Ryan D. Guild Criminal Justice Kaitlyn Denise Gutenberger Criminal Justice Enej Hasicevic Lukac Finance Kenny Francois Hector Computer Science Taylor Hickey Marketing Andrew C. Higgins Natural Sciences Ashley Hines Psychology Samuel R. Hornberger Biochemistry Eric Todd Hubbell Exercise Science Mikaila Elizabeth Hulse Mathematics Adolescence Education

Andrea Denise Ingram Management Cum Laude Nicholas Edward Jung Biology Edward Thomas Kelly Social Sciences Adolescence Education Me'-Lani Marie Kendle Psychology Tyler Joseph Krummack Criminal Justice Cum Laude Shkelqim Feriz Kukaj Biology Bianca Marie Anthonia Lafontant Psychology Ashley Landolina Criminal Justice Sarah Patricia Lawler-Urso Social Sciences Adolescence Education Alexa Lewis Social Sciences Danielle Nicole Lieberman Mathematics Shannon Mary Loeffler Marketing Gabrielle Alexandria Lopez Psychology Katarina Ashley Lopez Management Kelly Lorvil Educational Studies Nicole Alexandria Lucas Criminal Justice

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE

Dana Luciano Marketing Devin Lukeman Psychology Brooke Noel Lynch Psychology Gabriella Christine Mac Kay Criminal Justice Rebecca MacLeod Biology Summa Cum Laude Anthony Charles Maisano Sport Management Studies Anna Theresa Mancuso Social Sciences Chanelle Manon Management Amy Marie Mauro Therapeutic Recreation Magna Cum Laude Erica Ann McKivergan Marketing Jonathan Taylor Meaney Sport Management Studies Summa Cum Laude Katherine Michelle Mercado Biology Danielle Amanda Montagna Natural Sciences Jeanique Myriam Montinat Visual Communications in Graphic Design Summa Cum Laude Ryan Moore Social Sciences Adolescence Education

Luis Morales Marketing Jacqueline Marie Morris Educational Studies Summa Cum Laude Andre Juwan Morse Criminal Justice Reyan Amdi Mustafoski Sport Management Studies Nigel Corey Nahnfeldt Computer Science Magna Cum Laude Viet Nguyen Hoang Psychology Cum Laude Scarlet Nova Rios Criminal Justice Tyiana Marrie Nunez Criminal Justice Steven Odam, Jr. Criminal Justice Autumn O'Leary Criminal Justice

Francesco Oliveri Psychology Christopher J. Ott, Jr. Social Sciences Adolescence Education Paul Francis Owens Mathematics Summa Cum Laude Dena Elaina Pallogudis Social Sciences Adolescence Education Summa Cum Laude

John Paolo Palomares Sport Management Studies John R. Paul Criminal Justice Magna Cum Laude Tristan Alexander Pavur Management Bryan Penn Criminal Justice Emerald Quin Perez Visual Communications in Graphic Design Gary Michael Peters Management Cum Laude Heather Leigh Petrillo Psychology Mich Philistin Criminal Justice Brandon Marc Polichetti Biochemistry Lucia Christina Ponce Biology Andrew Rafferty Marketing Alli Said Dimaculangan Rashid Computer Science Summa Cum Laude Sidney I. Reeves Management Yosmeri Reyes Marketing Albert L. Riddle, Jr. Computer Science Summa Cum Laude

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE

Anna Ristova Finance Jose Felipe Robles Sport Management Studies Lizette Jasmin Rodriguez Educational Studies Emilio Rosario Psychology Cum Laude Samantha Rosenblatt Educational Studies Cum Laude Sara Madison Rotundo Biology Elijah Anthony Rowe Computer Science Aidan Joseph Russell Psychology Magna Cum Laude Zachary Thomas Rzewnicki Accounting Magna Cum Laude Melissa M. Sadler Sport Management Studies Stefan Karim Saeed Sport Management Studies Tylor Jonathan Saraiva Biology Sarah Sayegh Social Sciences Ashley Rose Schmitt Biology Magna Cum Laude

Alisa Marie Schray Psychology Summa Cum Laude

Matthew F. Sclafani Sport Management Studies Magna Cum Laude Tyler John Senatore Sport Management Studies Xzavier M. Shiwpaul Criminal Justice Julia Amber Sibley Criminal Justice Magna Cum Laude Thomas Solimando Criminal Justice Carolyn Ann Spatta Educational Studies Stavros Strati Exercise Science Brooke Strieter Psychology John Patrick Sullivan Visual Communications in Graphic Design Taylor Nicole Sullivan Mathematics Adolescence Education Natalia Dorota Swiecki Biochemistry Magna Cum Laude Przemyslaw Szeliga Accounting Hiywot B. Tadesse Finance Cum Laude Luke William Taplin Finance Magna Cum Laude

Frances Tasch Educational Studies Christian Migirdic Temurcu Marketing Shannon Thompson Accounting Zandra Mercedes Thompson Social Sciences Briannah Thorne Psychology / Criminal Justice John Michael Tobin Criminal Justice Aida Torpey Visual Communications in Graphic Design Monica Tran Educational Studies Rebecca Traum-Steinberg Educational Studies Kimberly Travezano Educational Studies Vincent Joseph Tripodi Exercise Science Cameron Wade Turner Exercise Science Jason Peter Unanue Management Melissah E. Valles Management Bryan Vega Finance Victoria Leigh Walker Criminal Justice / Psychology Robert Thomas Wanamaker Criminal Justice

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE

Sydney Gold Weber Psychology Brittany Chanel Weller Criminal Justice Kiana E. White Computer Science

Lachlan Wilkinson Finance Breanna Williams Biology Valerie Julia Winalski Mathematics Magna Cum Laude

Christine Winter Therapeutic Recreation Patrick Ryan Wojnicki Educational Studies Chae Yu Mathematics Andrea Catalina Zapata Educational Studies

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION

Kelsey Grace Ardizzone Childhood Education English Kellyann Averill Childhood Education Science & Technology Summa Cum Laude Sophia Rose Bastedo Childhood Education Social Science Magna Cum Laude Katlyn Ann Bateman Childhood / Special Education English Shannon M. Berrigan Childhood Education Social Science Magna Cum Laude Jessica Nicole Castoral Childhood / Special Education Social Science Shannon Curran Early Childhood / Childhood Education Social Science

Iris Nancy D'Amico Early Childhood / Childhood Education English Ciara Mary Donohue Childhood Education History Magna Cum Laude Samantha Nicole Griggs Childhood Education Social Science Angela Rae Harrington Early Childhood / Childhood Education Social Science Briana Nicole Keaveney Childhood Education English Diana Ewa Kulakowski Childhood / Special Education English Maria Nicole Maguire Childhood Education Mathematics

Melissa Ann Mancuso Childhood / Special Education English Sierra Rayne Mermejo-Varga Childhood / Special Education History Lindsay Beth Miller Early Childhood / Childhood Education Mathematics Cum Laude Lauren Elise Morano Early Childhood / Childhood Education English Ashlee Anissa O'Doherty Childhood / Special Education Social Science Brittany Marie Offman Childhood / Special Education Spanish Mollie Elizabeth O'Leary Childhood Education English

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION

Lauren Nicole Orta Childhood Education English Mary Kate Paulus Childhood Education Science & Technology Magna Cum Laude David Conrad Rugg Childhood Education Social Science

Samantha Rose Sabini Childhood Education English Carolyn Salazar Childhood / Special Education History Katherine Umana Childhood Education Social Science

Jessica Rose Vento Early Childhood / Childhood Education English Summa Cum Laude Gabrielle Susan Voorhees Childhood Education Mathematics Allison Rose Wargo Childhood Education Social Science Summa Cum Laude

ASSOCIATE IN ARTS

Sean Andrew Russo Humanities & Social Science

ALMA MATER written by the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill

Lead us safely Alma Mater Through the tumult of the world

Prove a citadel and shield us With the truths that you’ve unfurled. Chorus To St. Thomas sing our anthem Let the mighty portals hold

Echoes ringing our allegiance In refrain our trust is told. Yours is spirit never dying Radiant Scion of great love Yours is courage never fading With a wisdom from above.

ACADEMIC HERALDRY

The caps, gowns, and hoods worn at college and university functions date back to the Middle Ages. The hood gives color and distinction to the academic costume. The hood—a black shell-like affair of varying size for the three degrees—is lined, stressing the colors of the institution conferring the degree. The hood is then bordered with velvet (2” for Bachelor’s hood, 3” for Master’s and 5” for Doctor’s) of the color signifying the respective fields of learning. The College President will wear St. Thomas Aquinas College’s academic regalia. Maroon and gold are the St. Thomas Aquinas colors. Some of the institutional colors to be seen at this academic ceremony are: Boston University, scarlet and white; Catholic University, lemon yellow with white chevron; University of Chicago, maroon and white; City University of New York, blue and orange; Columbia, light blue with white chevron; Fordham, maroon; George Washington University, lemon yellow and dark blue; Harvard, crimson; New York University, violet; Notre Dame University, gold and blue; Ohio State, scarlet and gray; St. John’s University, bright red with white chevron; The University of Pennsylvania, red and blue; The University of the State of New York, purple and gold; Yale University, blue. The student population at St. Thomas Aquinas College is becoming increasingly diverse and multi-cultural. Symbolizing that diversity, today’s candidates for degrees will carry the flags of several other nations to join the flag of the United States on the Commencement stage. Flags typically carried at commencement are as follows (other flags may be flown that were not included on this list as of press time): Bahamas, Canada, Chile, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Morocco, Northern Ireland, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Scotland, Slovakia, Spain, Trinidad, and the United Kingdom. These international banners represent the homelands of various members of the graduating class and students at the College.

LATIN HONORS FOR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE Like most colleges and universities, St. Thomas Aquinas College observes the great tradition of recognizing students who have an overall record of high academic achievement by granting what many call “Latin Honors” on commencement day. To be so honored, students must have earned 60 credits or more at St. Thomas Aquinas College, have never received any grade lower than a C, and have the appropriate Grade Point Average for the level of honors. The Academic Honors Cum Laude (With Honor) means the student is graduating with an overall Grade Point Average of 3.50 or higher. Magna Cum Laude (With High Honor) means the student is graduating with an overall Grade Point Average of 3.65 or higher. Summa Cum Laude (With Highest Honor) means the student is graduating with an overall Grade Point Average of 3.80 or higher.

St. Thomas Aquinas College enrolls approximately 2,800 full and part-time students. Undergraduates have a choice of over 100 majors and minor programs to choose from in three schools: The School of Arts & Sciences; The School of Business; and The School of Education. The College also provides extracurricular activities through 40+ different organizations. Much growth and development has taken place over the College’s history. The School of Education offers a Master of Science in Education (M.S. Ed.), with concentrations in autism, literacy, and special education; postgraduate certificate programs in autism, literacy, and special education; as well as a Master of Science in Teaching (M.S.T.) program available for individuals without a background in teacher education who are seeking a career change. The School of Business offers a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) program with concentrations in finance, management, marketing, sport administration, and general M.B.A. The School of Arts and Sciences offers a Master of Public Administration in Criminal Justice. In addition, the College is the Rockland County home of New York University’s Master in Social Work program. The College offers an Honors Program which provides students with a 70% tuition scholarship and a summer study experience at Oxford University in England. In addition, there are several study-abroad opportunities and strategic alliances designed to offer expanded opportunities for students. The study-abroad program provides opportunities at colleges and universities in such places as Brazil, Canada, England, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Morocco, and Spain. Several other locations are also available. The 60-acre campus includes modern buildings and classrooms and a Spartan Athletic complex. This facility hosts our women’s softball, lacrosse and men’s and women’s soccer, women’s field hockey and sprint football. The campus includes two residential complexes, with plans to construct a third residential complex for 2020. ST. THOMAS AQUINAS COLLEGE MISSION

St. Thomas Aquinas College is an independent liberal arts college, which provides education at the undergraduate and graduate levels for students from all traditions. In continuing its Catholic heritage and the spirit of its founders, the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill, the College is committed to the principle of enlightening the mind through truth, as exemplified by Thomas Aquinas, and to the Classical and Judeo-Christian ideals which have contributed to the development of humanity. Accordingly, the College is dedicated to the development of each student consistent with the individual's resolve to work and ability to achieve. Consistent with its commitments, the College requires each undergraduate to attain a broad foundation in the liberal arts and sciences. The College provides a range of undergraduate majors and graduate programs to assist students to prepare for careers or for further education through a sharper focus in a major field of study. The College creates a welcoming, caring and challenging environment for learning. Intensely student-centered academic activities and vigorous student-life programs are purposefully combined to enhance the educational process and to foster intellectual, moral, social and spiritual growth. Within this environment, St. Thomas Aquinas College assists each student in the effort to develop as an articulate and independent member of society, who uses a reasoned approach to all issues, who strives to become a responsible citizen and leader in shaping the diverse world community, who lives in a manner exemplifying the principles of service, mutual respect, and individual responsibility, and who appreciates the value of learning as a life-long endeavor.

THE COLLEGE SEAL

The Dominican Sisters adopted as the College motto:

“Illuminare Mentem Per Veritatem” — “To Enlighten the Mind Through Truth.”

For its escutcheon, they used the shield of the Dominicans overlaid with a smaller shield containing symbols related to St. Thomas and the Dominican Order. The torch symbolized the light of truth; the sunburst reflects the great light spread by St. Thomas: the star symbolizes the radiance that shone from St. Dominic; and the crown is emblematic of the Queen of the Holy Rosary. Since 1952, St. Thomas Aquinas College has been serving the needs of the community by providing advanced education in the

liberal arts tradition. Within the framework of our Judeo-Christian values, we have striven for an atmosphere of mutual understanding, concern, and cooperation. Today, as we celebrate Commencement, we reflect on our heritage and our dynamic growth, which that heritage has inspired.

A U.S. News & World Report Top Tier Institution

125 Route 340, Sparkill, NY 10976 | 845.398.4100

www.stac.edu