York College commencement ceremony

York College celebrated its 36th commencement exercises this past Friday, June 2, in front of a crowd of family members, alumni, CUNY officials and community and government representatives.
797 graduates walked down the aisle towards a bright future after completing their studies at the York College, 80 percent of which were born outside the USA hailing from over 50 different countries around the world. The graduating class was comprised of 246 males and 551 females and range in age from 21 to 67.
Valedictorian Vandeen Brown, cumulative GPA 3.97, spoke to her fellow graduates along with Salutatorian Nelisa Roach. 145 students graduated with Summa, Magna or Cum Laude honors.
York College President Marcia Keizs officiated the ceremony attended by CUNY Trustee Jeffrey Weisenfeld, Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott and Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, Assemblyman Gregory Meeks, Councilman Leroy Comrie, Assemblywoman Vivian Cook, and CUNY Chancellor Matthew Goldstein.
Weisenfeld condemned the comments made the day before at the Queens College graduation involving State Comptroller Alan Hevesi. “Patriotism and love of the U.S. is still valued,” added Weisenfeld. “A comment like that should not come out of anyone’s mouth.”
Keizs introduced Goldstein as an “individual whose versatile leadership has shaped the renewal and renaissance of CUNY.”
“All of us at CUNY are invested in the new York College,” said Goldstein. “I sleep better at night now knowing Marcia Keizs is here.”
Goldstein also announced that CUNY will provide total tuition reimbursement to FDA and Aviation Institute students at York College.
Keizs recognized the presence of a number of non-student attendees including the alumni association and president Eva Keith as well as the York College Advisory Council to name a few.