Students, campus, gearing up for 2013 Commencement this Saturday

SUNY Fredonia will celebrate the second-largest graduating class in campus history during its 186th annual Commencement ceremonies, to be held this Saturday, May 18, in Steele Hall Arena.

Bachelor’s and master’s degree recipients, as well as those earning advanced certificates, will be honored at two ceremonies, at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. In all, 1,355 undergraduates and 167 graduate student and advanced certificate recipients are eligible to participate.

SUNY Fredonia President Virginia S. Horvath will preside over her first Commencement ceremony in her new role, joined by a platform party that includes her fellow members of the University Cabinet, members of the College Council, Senior Class President Meagan Allers, and other campus and community dignitaries.

In addition, the campus will welcome U.S. Representative Brian Higgins as its keynote speaker at both ceremonies. Congressman Higgins is a fifth-term member of the United States House of Representatives, serving citizens of New York’s 26th Congressional District, including portions of Erie and Niagara counties. Until recently, Congressman Higgins’ district also encompassed Chautauqua County. Congressman Higgins’ son, John, is among the morning graduates, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Music Industry.

Ms. Allers of Williamsville, N.Y., is receiving a Bachelor of Science in Education degree with a major in Childhood Education - Math, during the morning ceremony. She will address both Commencement ceremonies, as will Fredonia College Council Chair Frank Pagano, on behalf of the Fredonia College Council.

The National Anthem will be performed at both ceremonies by senior Lindsay A. Gunn, who will be receiving a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education, Summa Cum Laude.

In addition, Lauren E. Smith of Hamburg, N.Y., will receive the Lanford Presidential Prize from the Oscar and Esther Lanford Endowment of the Fredonia College Foundation during the morning ceremony. Lauren will be awarded a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Communication Disorders and Sciences, Summa Cum Laude.

Faculty/Staff Marshals for the morning Commencement ceremony are: Dr. Clara Beier, who will be retiring this year from the Department of Language, Leadership and Learning in the College of Education, and Lecturer Emeritus Jean Harper of the Department of Mathematical Sciences. Professor Emeritus Terry Mosher of the Department of English and Associate Professor Jane Jackson of the Department of Communication are the afternoon Marshals.

Student Marshals are selected for their academic performance and service to campus and will be recognized by President Horvath during the ceremonies. Marshals during the morning ceremony are Mark Friesen, Maria Hens, Jessica Maiorana and Anna Riley, and SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence recipients Hannah Delansky and Maxwell DeNies. Also to be recognized in the morning is additional Chancellor’s Award recipient Sarah Ficarro. In the afternoon, marshals are Anna Alvarado, Lisa Carlson, Derek Chazen, Alexander Ives, Deanna Jelardi and SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence recipient Rachael Coccia.

The ceremonial Mace Bearer is Dr. Alan G. LaFlamme of the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, Social Work and Criminal Justice, who remains the campus’ most senior faculty member, in terms of years of service.

With the assistance of campus staff and alumni, Commencement will be broadcast live beginning at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 18 on Time Warner Cable Channel 5 and 17 in Fredonia, Cassadaga, Brocton and Stockton, and Channel 19 in Dunkirk, Silver Creek, Forestville and Hanover. Live streaming video of the ceremonies will also be available right from the university’s home page, www.fredonia.edu.