Marymount Manhattan College Celebrates 69th Commencement

On Friday, May 18, 2018, Marymount Manhattan College held its 69th Commencement Exercises at Lincoln Center’s iconic David Geffen Hall.

Students, faculty, staff, family, and friends filled the theatre with palpable excitement. This year, MMC proudly granted actor John Leguizamo and business leader Debora Spar honorary degrees. Leguizamo is an acclaimed actor, producer, and author whose many accolades include an Emmy and a Drama Desk Award, and who will be recognized in June with a Special Tony Award. Spar is a groundbreaking leader in the arts and education, as well as in the advancement of women. She is the immediate past President of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts—the first woman to hold this esteemed position—and former President of Barnard College.

Spar acknowledged the level of enthusiasm in the room and noted that commencement is one of the few times in life in which you know things are about to change in a great way in just a matter of hours. To the graduates, she urged, “Choose consciously, choose wisely when you can, choose to build a life that matters.”

Leguizamo advised students to live their lives boldly and without fear of failure. “I want you to do something that you can’t not do. Regardless of the road you’re about to head down, you’re young and you will make mistakes. Do whatever it is that you are put on this earth to do, even if it scares you. Take risks, but be aware your time on this earth is brief, so eat whole fat foods and be happy.”

Notable graduates include Valedictorian Jennelie Korbes and student speakers Karla Castro, Christel Mitchell, and Tatiana Valencia. In lieu of a traditional speech, the senior speakers presented a slam poetry style address. All four speakers touched on the importance of pushing through fear and being accepting of change.

View a video slideshow of the ceremony here.

Congratulations again to the class of 2018!

Published: May 21, 2018