Plaza College confers first Bachelor’s Degrees

Plaza College, a private institute of higher learning, held its 90th commencement exercise recently, and had something of a graduation itself, awarding its first-ever bachelor’s degrees.
The ceremony, held in the main stage theater of LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City on Saturday, June 16 was a milestone for the new alumni and the college, which also awarded three honorary doctoral degrees.
A degree of Doctor of Pedagogy was awarded to Rosemary Duggan, vice-chair of the school’s board of trustees, for her life-long distinguished service to the education community.
Elena Terrone, former Dean of Plaza Business Institute likewise received the Doctor of Pedagogy degree for her commitment to higher education, and was cited for her nurturing of students when Plaza evolved from a business institute to collegiate status. Terrone, who is well into her 80s, was unable to attend; her son Bill accepted on her behalf.
New York State Assemblymember Anthony S. Seminerio received an honorary Doctor of Civil Law degree for “his life-long commitment to government and especially to the Higher Education Community of the State of New York.”
Seminerio, who has been in government for nearly 30 years, has been a member of the Assembly’s Higher Education Committee for 26 years. Seminerio told The Queens Courier, “This is the highest award I have ever received- I’m very, very happy and proud to be so honored.”
Following the conferral of the “honor causa” degrees, 14 new graduates received their Bachelor of Business Administration-Management degrees, followed by nearly 200 receiving Associates degrees in various disciplines.
Founded in 1916 by Charles and Anna S. Callahan as Plaza Business Institute, the college moved from Long Island City to its present Jackson Heights home in 1970 and over the next decade was authorized to confer a variety of Associates Degrees.
The school was accredited by the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges in 2002 and on September 9, 2005 was granted authority to confer Bachelor of Business Administration-Management degrees by the New York State Board of Regents.
In a congratulatory message, Charles E. Callahan, III, Provost of the college said, “Plaza College has and will continue to set high standards for itself on behalf of the faculty, staff, administration and students. Here’s to another 90 years of success.”