Marymount Manhattan Baccalaureate Ceremony Honors Graduates

(New York, NY) On May 16, 2008, Marymount Manhattan College’s 2008 Baccalaureate Ceremony was held at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle. Graduating seniors receive their hood for commencement. The ceremony integrates members of the MMC community including students, faculty and staff. 
The Baccalaureate ceremony began with the academic procession with
Over 400 MMC graduates received their hoods at the Baccalaureate Ceremony in the Church of St. Paul the Apostle.
Grand Marshal David Linton, professor of Communication Arts and president of the Faculty Council. Invocation was presented by Rev. Gilbert Martinez, CSP, Pastor of Church of St. Paul the Apostle. 

Marguerita Grecco, acting academic dean, introduced speakers and presented honors and awards including Golden Keys to students from various disciplines. 

Susan Behrens, associate professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders, was awarded the Teaching Excellence Award. She addressed the graduates and thanked her fellow faculty members for the award. “(As a teacher) I value the time I give to all of you.” She advised graduates to,

Marguerita Grecco addresses attendees
“continue conversing, learning and keeping contact.” She emphasized the importance of engaging and conversing with the College and community members.

Judson R. Shaver, President of Marymount Manhattan, addressed the graduates beginning with a story about the scorpion and the frog. The story’s moral questioned the common good in society. President Shaver expressed concern for the common good and said, “in a nutshell, the mission of Marymount Manhattan is to educate individuals for the common good. Notice that we don’t teach our solutions, instead we teach you how to find your solution.”

“Our mission, our goals, is to graduate individuals who show compassion, character and commitment who will act for the improvement of society,” said President Shaver.

Throughout the ceremony, students performed selected pieces in celebration of the graduates. Vocalists were Spenser Genesy ’09, Ashleigh Rotondo ’09 and Diana Zambrotta ’09. The pianist was Nathan Atkinson ’07.

MMC’s Baccalaureate ceremony concluded with the benediction by Imam Yusuf Hasan B.C.C., of Healthcare Chaplaincy, Inc.

Published: May 16, 2008