Commencements celebrated in Steele Hall

Seniors presented $11,000 as their departing gift to SUNY Fredonia at commencement exercises today on campus.  Two ceremonies were held at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. in Steele Hall to accommodate the 1,350 students who marked the completion of their bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and advanced certificates (post-master’s) in educational administration and supervision.

William L. Parment, a sixth-generation Chautauqua County native who grew up on a dairy farm near the campus, graduated from two SUNY campuses, and is serving his 12th term as representative of the Southern Tier to the New York State Assembly, was the guest speaker. “Studies show that people who write down their goals upon graduating from college achieved those goals,” he said.

 “Set goals for yourself. Write them down. Break them into achievable units. Work at them every day, and keep a positive attitude. And in setting your goals, set some that serve yourselves but also some that serve your communities. Every generation of Americans has faced historical challenges unique to them. You have yours: terrorism, globalism, technology. Set goals to be involved in these challenges, and make a difference in your time.”

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer greeted the SUNY Fredonia graduates, and read from the Rudyard Kipling poem, “If.”

President Dennis L. Hefner presented the Lanford Presidential Prize, a $2,500 scholarship, to communications major Jennifer Zaso of Perry, N.Y., graduating Summa Cum Laude. The Lanford Prize recognizes what SUNY Fredonia considers the “ideal student,” President Hefner said: a person who excels in academics while at the same time gives extraordinary service to the school through leadership in student activities and organizations.

The Fredonia Chamber Singers performed music composed by one of the graduates: the “Whitman Anthem,” written by Sean P. Doyle of Suffolk County (West Hampton Beach), N.Y., who was graduating with a master’s degree in music composition. The song was set to the Walt Whitman poem, "Leaves of Grass." Dr. Donald P. Lang of the Fredonia School of Music faculty conducted the choral group. Music was also performed by the Fredonia Wind Ensemble and Concert Band, under the baton of Dr. Paula Holcomb of the Fredonia School of Music faculty.

Speeches were also made by Senior Class President Nicholas A. Thayer of Genesee County (Corfu), N.Y.; Buffalo attorney and SUNY Board of Trustee member Gordon R. Gross; and Professor Emeritus and College Council member Robert L. Heichberger of Gowanda.