Public Employee Press

College of New Rochelle

New beginning for union grads

Radio City Music Hall, with its art deco glamour, a fun-loving Jesuit commencement speaker, and medieval academic traditions combined to give the graduates a memorable sendoff.

By JANE LaTOUR

A medieval ritual — the hooding ceremony — welcomed students from the DC 37 Campus of the College of New Rochelle into the ranks of college graduates May 15. This was the prelude to their big day — CNR’s 100th commencement exercise, held May 24 at Radio City Music Hall.

Honorary degrees were conferred on AFL-CIO President John J. Sweeney, Pernessa C. Seele, founder of the Balm of Gilead, and Brother Rick Curry, the founder and artistic director of the National Theater Workshop of the Handicapped.

CNR President Stephen J. Sweeney presented diplomas to each of the graduates. “Each of you has a story,” he said. Brother Curry delivered the commencement address, and his story struck a chord with the students.

“He was very inspirational,” said Local 1251 member Shennita Jeter. Jeter has worked for the Dept. of Education for 16 years and plans to seek a master’s degree in social work. “The graduation was very beautiful and spiritual,” she said.

Graduate Geneva Burch was also inspired by the speaker. “He made the graduation very special,” she said. “The message I got was that, even though you might be disabled, you can overcome whatever limitations you face.” Burch has worked as a secretary for Local 420 for 12 years and plans to continue her studies in graduate school.

Carol Booras-Musacchio began her road to higher education as a member of Local 372. Along the way, she encountered many obstacles — a difficult divorce, breast cancer—but she battled her way back into the classroom after each setback. The highlight of her graduation was when Dr. Sweeney said to her: “You’re graduating with honors. You should be so proud of your achievement!” As the mother of three daughters and the grandmother of three, she said she “wanted to be a positive role-model, to show them how to be self-reliant and strong.” Each graduate of CNR’s School of New Resources expressed her indebtedness to DC 37. “I can’t say enough good things about the union and all that it affords its members,” said Booras-Musacchio.

Curry’s anecdotes and words of encouragement sprinkled the ceremony with a special flavor. “I’d rather have one arm than be bald,” he once told a radio reporter who was ignoring the “handicapped” people all around him. “The only deprivation we have comes from ignorance,” he said.