Commencement 2021 - Medgar Evers College

Medgar Evers College President Patricia Ramsey will confer undergraduate and honorary doctoral degrees in a joint commencement ceremony honoring the classes of 2020 and 2021 during the College’s historic 51st year. The online ceremony will officially recognize 2,662 students in both graduating classes, who were impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

The virtual event will be presented at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 3, 2021.

Guests are invited to view the event by visiting mec.sharedstudios.events. To participate in the interactive features during commencement event, guests will need to register to the website by creating a username and password.

Ziggy Marley

Doctor of Fine Arts

Ziggy Marley is an eight-time Grammy winner, Emmy winner, musician, producer, activist, and humanitarian whose legendary career spans 40 years. The eldest son of Bob and Rita Marley, he has hewed his own path as a musical pioneer, infusing the reggae genre with funk, blues, rock, and other elements through mindful song-writing.

Using his success to champion political and philanthropic causes, Ziggy Marley has served as a Goodwill Youth Ambassador for the United Nations and actively participates in Bob Marley Foundation initiatives worldwide. He founded his own charity, URGE (Unlimited Resources Giving Enlightenment), a non-profit organization whose mission encompasses building new schools, operating health clinics, and supporting beneficiaries, including One Love Youth Camp, Chepstowe Basic School in Jamaica, and HOLA (Heart of Los Angeles).

Ziggy Marley has worked with diverse artists such as Sheryl Crow, Ben Harper, Angélique Kidjo, Lisa Loeb, Tom Morello, Alanis Morissette, and Busta Rhymes. He is also a beloved contributor to children’s entertainment. From on-camera guests spots to voice acting original songs, his projects include Shark Tale, Dora the Explorer, The Disney Reggae Club, Wonder Pets, Third and Bird, Arthur, Sesame Street, and HBO’s Saving My Tomorrow, as well as co-curating the Saving the Earth with Music exhibit in conjunction with the Grammy Museum and the California Science Center.

Ziggy Marley continues to serve as an advocate against social injustice not only through his music, but also through his work as a humanitarian. He recently received the Black Press of America’s prestigious Global Icon Achievement Award. In 2020, through his leadership as an entrepreneur and sought-after creative background, Ziggy Marley oversaw the marketing campaign for Bob Marley’s 75th birthday, including the curation of a pictorial book with 150 rare images published this past October.

In 2017, Ziggy Marley’s contributions were recognized with the George and Ira Gershwin Award for Lifetime Musical Achievement, making him the first reggae artist to receive the esteemed award in its more than three-decade history.

Michael T. Pugh

Doctor of Humane Letters

Michael T. Pugh is president and chief executive officer of Carver Bancorp, the holding company for Carver Federal Savings Bank, a federally chartered savings bank and the nation’s largest publicly traded African- and Caribbean-American operated bank, with approximately $600 million in assets and 140 employees.

A banking veteran of more than 25 years, Mr. Pugh has led teams of up to 600 associates in retail, business banking, commercial and residential lending, and call center operations. He has also been a critical leader in bank technology integrations, launching new lines of business, and executing new growth market strategies.

Prior to joining Carver on August 2012, Mr. Pugh served as Capital One’s senior vice president, regional executive, and market president of Eastern Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. Mr. Pugh was responsible for revenue production, customer service, and bank operations for approximately 75 banking centers and $3 billion in deposits. He also led the bank’s community development strategy for 1,200 associates and in eight counties.

Before his tenure at Capital One, Mr. Pugh served as senior vice president, retail banking executive for Citizens Financial Group, Charter One Division. He led retail banking teams in the Michigan and Indiana markets with up to 67 banking centers. Mr. Pugh’s accomplishments included organically growing a new market by $400 million in deposits and leading a team to become the number one Small Business Administration lender in Indiana.

Mr. Pugh is a board member of Carver Bancorp, Inc. and Pursuit. He also serves as a board member of several non-profit organizations, including the Society for Financial Education and Professional Development, Community Development Bankers Association, and Madison Square Boys and Girls Club.

Mr. Pugh worked as a bank teller while earning a Bachelor of Science in Health Administration from Eastern Michigan University, and he pursued a Master of Science in Financial Management from the University of Maryland Global Campus. Mr. Pugh also earned professional certifications from Babson College and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Anesia Moise

Class of 2021 Valedictorian

Anesia Moise is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business, with a minor in Public Administration. In 2019, she earned an Associate in Business Administration from Medgar Evers College. Anesia was born in St. Lucia, and after becoming a U.S. resident she took advantage of the opportunity to work towards her college degree. As a full-time student, she finished each semester on the Dean’s List, and she also earned the President’s List distinction. She accomplished all of this while working full time, and she is elated that she has finally reached her goal.

Anesia credits her success and wealth of knowledge to her diverse work experience across the telecoms, banking, and healthcare industries. However, she always knew that a college degree would make her more marketable when choosing a career. Anesia also credits her success to her faith in God, as she knows that she could not do it without Him.

Anesia is passionate about the business side of healthcare and plans to pursue a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration. She is dedicated to helping people and realize one's goals through teamwork. She lives by the principle, “Teach what you know and ask what you don’t know,” which has carried her through her professional and academic careers. Anesia hopes that her journey will inspire others to do their best and not settle for mediocrity.

Sara Sarue

Class of 2021 Associate Degree Scholar

Sara Sarue is a junior graduating with her associate’s degree in science. She grew up in Spring Valley, New York, and currently resides in Brooklyn with her husband and five children. As a young child, academic excellence was of great value to her. However, attending college was not in her future, since it was not done in her family.

After high school, she attended a one-year study abroad program with an emphasis on religious studies and early childhood education. When she returned she began teaching religious studies to young children in both Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and East Brunswick, New Jersey. Shortly after she began her family, Sara had a strong desire to return to school to pursue an education in the sciences.

Six weeks after her third child was born she began attending classes at Medgar Evers College and was subsequently on the Dean’s List every semester. While enrolled, she was fortunate to be a part of ASAP (Accelerated Study in Associate Programs), where she was provided with a tremendous amount of support and guidance. In the summer months, Sara took on an internship at a busy pediatric clinic where she gained a wealth of medical knowledge. This experience solidified her interest in furthering her education in the healthcare field.

Despite challenges posed by family obligations, work schedules, and a worldwide pandemic, Sara persevered and is graduating Summa Cum Laude with an overall GPA of 3.9, and newborn twins in tow. She is the first in her immediate family to graduate from college. Her hope is to use the education she received at Medgar Evers College to continue her studies and become a pediatric nurse.