Public Employee Press

Dreams come true
108 graduate at DC 37 campus

The union hall was filled with joy on the evening of May 14, packed with proud parents, siblings and children of the 108 new graduates from the DC 37 Campus of the College of New Rochelle.

The new grads, many the first in their families to attend college, were completing countless hours of burning the midnight oil, writing research papers and cramming for exams while holding down full-time public service jobs during the day, attending classes at night, and in many cases tending to children and spouses at home. Now they were crossing the finish line with their bachelor's degrees in hand.

"You have no idea how proud I am of you," said DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts at the traditional hooding ceremony, beaming like a proud parent. "When I was younger I wanted to go to college, but I didn't have the opportunity. So I vowed that if I ever had the chance I would create that opportunity for our members."

The 108 union members who graduated from CNR represented a large increase over last year's 85 grads, and 15 of the students completed their bachelor's degrees with honors for grade-point averages of 3.7 or above.

Determination and drive
Local 768 member and 16-year veteran Senior Public Health Aide Michael Williams epitomizes the drive and determination of the CNR graduates. Williams managed to complete his bachelor's degree in psychology in two years instead of four by taking up to 16 credits in one semester and attending summer sessions.

"There is a way to get it done if you sit down and think about things," said Williams, who inspired the graduates by singing "You'll Never Walk Alone" at the graduation.

Williams waited until his two sons completed college before he enrolled at CNR. He said, "The environment at CNR is very supportive. It's hard to be successful without that support."

For DC 37 Campus Director Patrice Gouveia-Marks, all graduating classes are important, but the class of 2012 has a special place in her heart. "You started at CNR four years ago. That's when I came on board," she told the grads. "It's been a pleasure watching you grow and develop and now I get to watch you graduate."

The DC 37 students also joined the rest of the CNR's class of 2012 on May 19 for the college's 105th annual commencement at Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan.