By Philip Newman
State Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan (D-Ridgewood) appealed to graduates of LaGuardia Community College Tuesday to use their education not only to improve their lives but to “involve yourselves in improving the world around you.”
Nolan delivered the school’s 30th commencement address in a ceremony that singled out one of the graduates not only for scholarship but heroism at the World Trade Center.
Nolan told the more than 1,100 graduates gathered in the Theater at Madison Square Garden that she knew how tough the struggle to achieve “this day had been for many” of those from many countries and cultures.
“For some of you, your heritage said women do not need a college education,” said Nolan. “I faced that concept. And for many others, there was the constant tug between work and family and other problems such as fiscal cutbacks in school.”
Nolan, who has represented the 37th Assembly District for 18 years and has been a staunch supporter of the college, delivered her message to exuberant graduates who were to receive their associate’s degrees.
“You found out how good you were,” she said. “Your education has given you confidence. But personal success is not enough.
“I hope you will not forget the world around you,” she said. “Your education will lift us all up.”
Based in Long Island City, LaGuardia is one of two community colleges and two four-year colleges that belong to the City University of New York in Queens.
LaGuardia President Gail Mellow presented the President’s Medal to Dr. Janet Lieberman in recognition of her career in advancing urban community students. Lieberman, the special assistant to the president, was cited in particular for designing the Middle College High School, an alternative school that has gained national recognition for its success in serving at-risk youngsters.
The LaGuardia Memorial Association Award was presented to Shahram Hashemi, an outstanding graduate who was honored for his scholarship and student leadership. But he was also singled out for the way he performed on Sept.11, 2001.
Hashemi was on his way to his internship at the Bank of New York on Wall Street when he saw the second plane crash into the South Tower of the World Trade Center. He noticed a group of people in shock and safely escorted 15 of them to the bank lobby.
A fire chief who saw his courageous act asked him to serve as a volunteer firefighter and outfitted him with firefighting gear. Hashemi worked in this capacity at No. 7 World Trade Center until it collapsed. Then, overcome by smoke and debris, he was pulled from the ruins and taken to Staten Island Hospital.
Hashemi, who came to America from Iran nearly four years ago and earned an associate’s degree as a business administration major, said he felt it was his duty to help.
The graduates each announced their name and field of study as they walked across the stage of The Theater at Madison Square Garden, but many also chose to thank God, their parents, children, family members and friends for their sacrifice in helping them in their struggle toward a diploma.
Their supporters in the packed theater responded with applause and screams of delight that sometimes ranged from the exultant to the blood-curdling.
Others who paid tribute to the graduates included Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, City Councilman Hiram Monserrate (D-Jackson Heights); City Councilman Eric Gioia (D-Woodside) and U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), who was not present but whose remarks were read by Mello.
Esther Fuchs, special adviser for Governance and Strategic Planning in the Office of the Mayor, offered congratulations from Mayor Bloomberg, who could not be present due to a scheduling conflict.
Reach contributing writer Philip Newman by e-mail at Timesledgr@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 136.
