Liam Kennedy Fitzgerald, a music education major, celebrates moments before walking across the stage during SUNY Potsdam’s 203rd Commencement Ceremony. Photo submitted.
POTSDAM — SUNY Potsdam honored the Class of 2023 in the shadow of the Satterlee Hall clocktower, surrounded by thousands of guests, on Saturday, May 20. A short drizzle of rain prior to the ceremony didn’t deter the joyous graduates — or the proud families and friends there to celebrate them.
“Regardless of the path you took, or the journey you traveled, you have all achieved greatness by putting in the time and effort necessary to achieve your degree. I’ve often said that graduation day is my favorite day of the year on a college campus, and that is definitely true. The air is alive with the energy of your excitement, and it’s contagious. One lesson you can learn from today and take with you in whatever you do moving forward is to show thanks and appreciation for those that help you along the way,” said SUNY Potsdam President Dr. Suzanne Smith, in her first Commencement address to the campus.
This year, SUNY Potsdam honored more than 1,000 candidates for graduation, with more than 700 crossing the stage during the ceremony.
“While your days of classes at SUNY Potsdam may end today, you are now officially alumni and your connection to your alma mater takes on a different dimension. You are part of our history and future, and we are of yours as well,” said College Council Chair June O’Neill (Hon. ’99). “Today, we are so proud of you and your accomplishments. And we anxiously wait to see what comes next for you – we know it will be amazing.”
Earning her bachelor’s degree in community health and sociology, Jaylen Kawenninon Francis-Herne ’23, of the Akwesasne Mohawk Nation, recited the Ohen:ton Karikwatekhwen (“The words before all else”) to bring everyone’s minds together to open the ceremony.
Sai Barnes ’23 sang a moving rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” a hymn of liberation and hope…
Read the full article here
Leave a Reply