CUNY Celebrates the Class of 2022 with Return to In-Person Commencements

Over 55,000 Grads will be Feted for their Dedication and Perseverance through the Pandemic

Featured Speakers Include Dr. Fauci, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Leymah Roberta Gbowee, Senator Schumer, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Dr. Sandra Lindsay

Honorary Degree Recipients Include Astronaut Ellen Ochoa, Artist Faith Ringgold, Tony-winning Actor Danny Burstein, Hoops Great Earl (The Pearl) Monroe

More than 55,000 CUNY graduates will once again get to experience the pomp and circumstance of traditional commencement exercises in the coming weeks as they don caps and gowns, walk to receive their diplomas, process the significance of the moment with their classmates and relish the celebratory cheers of their adoring families and friends. After two years of gatherings that were held virtually or at significantly curtailed scale because of the pandemic, CUNY is returning to in-person commencement ceremonies across the five boroughs for its graduating class of 2022.

The graduates, whose diversity fully reflects that of the country’s most diverse city, will soon join the workforce in every sector and help to expand New York’s equitable economic resurgence. They will join millions of alumni who have leveraged the benefits of a high-quality, affordable CUNY education to build stable careers and live prosperous, well-rounded lives.

They will gather at storied city venues including the United Palace, Apollo Theater and Bryant Park in Manhattan, Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens and Brooklyn’s Barclays Center and Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk. They will hear advice and anecdotes of encouragement from prominent commencement speakers who are leaders in the fields of medicine, global activism, science, public service, philanthropy and sports. A diverse list of experts and luminaries will also be recognized for their contributions with honorary degrees.

The festivities, which will also celebrate the graduates’ dedication to completing their degrees while enduring immeasurable sacrifices, are particularly welcomed after the upheavals and disruptions wrought by the pandemic over the past two years.

“CUNY’s Class of 2022 has overcome immense difficulties throughout the pandemic to reach this milestone. I am thrilled that we can finally come together and properly salute their achievements,” said Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, who will address graduates at eight CUNY colleges and schools over the next few weeks, starting with Lehman College on May 26. “CUNY marks its 175th anniversary this year, and this graduating class is part of a larger story. As New York City continues to recover from the pandemic, our graduates have the opportunity to create bright futures for themselves and inspire and uplift the next generation of CUNY graduates who will follow in their footsteps.”

Here are highlights of the honorary degree recipients and commencement speakers scheduled to address CUNY’s Class of 2022:

• Dr. Sandra Lindsay, director of Patient Care Services at Long Island Jewish Medical Center and the first person in the U.S. to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, will address Lehman College and receive the Alumni Achievement Award on May 26.

• Leymah Roberta Gbowee, 2011 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and renowned human rights leader, who led the Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace that helped end the 14-year civil war in Liberia, will serve as Brooklyn College’s keynote speaker and honorary degree recipient on May 31.
• Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic woman astronaut in space and visual artist Faith Ringgold, who is also an alumna of City College, will receive honorary degrees from John Jay College of Criminal Justice on May 31.

• Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy, MD, MBA serves as the 21st surgeon general of the U.S. He will be the keynote speaker and honorary degree recipient at the School of Public Health’s ceremony on June 2.

• Adrienne E. Adams, New York City Council speaker, will address Medgar Evers College on June 2. Earl (The Pearl) Monroe, pro basketball Hall of Famer, will receive an honorary degree for his work mentoring young people with the Crown Heights Youth Collective.

• Danny Burstein, Tony-winning actor who starred in “Moulin Rouge!” on Broadway, will receive an honorary degree and address Queens College on June 2.
• Antonio Reynoso, Brooklyn Borough President, will address New York City College of Technology on June 2.

• Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and chief medical adviser to President Biden, will address City College on June 3. He will also receive the honorary Doctor of Science degree.

• Chuck Schumer, U.S. Senate majority leader, and Vanessa Gibson, Bronx borough president and CUNY alumna, will address Bronx Community College on June 3.

• Errol Louis, political commentator on CNN and host of “Inside City Hall” on NY1, will address Kingsborough Community College on June 16.

Here are highlights of the student and alumni speakers scheduled to address CUNY’s Class of 2022:

• John Prince, who co-founded the non-profit organization Breaking the Cycle NYC, a non-profit organization focused on young boys between the ages of 12 and 17 from at-risk communities, recently graduated from the School of Professional Studies magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in psychology. He is currently enrolled in the master of public administration program at John Jay College. He will address the School of Professional Studies on June 1.
• Luz Rosado arrived at Bronx Community College (BCC) as a recent immigrant from the Dominican Republic who spoke no English. After completing the CUNY Language Immersion Program, she graduated from BCC and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in marketing management and psychology from Baruch College. Luz is currently a senior vice president and international wealth advisor at Merrill Lynch, and she will address Bronx Community College on June 3.
• Lely Nourmania, a human trafficking survivor from Indonesia who is earning her third CUNY degree — a master’s degree in international affairs at Baruch College — after graduating from LaGuardia in 2017 and from the CUNY Baccaulaureate for Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies in 2020, will address LaGuardia Community College on June 21.

COMMENCEMENT 2022 SCHEDULE

Thursday, May 26

BARUCH COLLEGE
Barclays Center, 9:30 a.m.
studentaffairs.baruch.cuny.edu/studentlife/commencement

COLLEGE OF STATEN ISLAND
College of Staten Island, Great Lawn, 9:30 a.m.
www.csi.cuny.edu/campus-life/commencement

LEHMAN COLLEGE
Lehman College, South Field, 10:00 a.m.
www.lehman.edu/classof2022

Tuesday, May 31

BROOKLYN COLLEGE
Barclays Center, 9:00 a.m.
www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/web/about/offices/studentaffairs/administrative-services/graduation/commencement.php

JOHN JAY COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE
USTA National Tennis Center, Arthur Ashe Stadium, 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (depending on major)
www.jjay.cuny.edu/commencement

HOSTOS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Hostos Center for Arts and Culture, Main Theater, 2:00 p.m. (Fall 2021 and Winter 2022 graduates)
www.hostos.cuny.edu/Campus-Life/Commencement/2020-Ceremony

Wednesday, June 1

CUNY SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
USTA National Tennis Center, Arthur Ashe Stadium, 11:00 a.m.
sps.cuny.edu/student-services/graduation

Thursday, June 2

MEDGAR EVERS COLLEGE
Medgar Evers College, 9:00 a.m.
www.mec.cuny.edu/commencement

QUEENS COLLEGE
Queens College, The Quad, 9:00 a.m.
www.qc.cuny.edu/ce

YORK COLLEGE
UBS Arena, Belmont Park, 10:30 a.m.
www.york.cuny.edu/commencement

HOSTOS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Hostos Center for Arts and Culture, Main Theater, 11:00 a.m. (Spring 2022 graduates)
www.hostos.cuny.edu/Campus-Life/Commencement/2020-Ceremony

CUNY SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Apollo Theater, 3:00 p.m.
sph.cuny.edu/commencement-2022

NEW YORK CITY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk, 4:00 p.m.
www.citytech.cuny.edu/commencement

CUNY SCHOOL OF LABOR AND URBAN STUDIES
New York City Public Library, Main Branch, 4:00 p.m.
slu.cuny.edu/current-students/commencement

Friday, June 3

BRONX COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Bronx Community College, Ohio Field, 9:30 a.m.
www.bcc.cuny.edu/campus-life/student-life/commencement

QUEENSBOROUGH COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Queensborough Community College, Athletic Field, 10:00 a.m.
www.qcc.cuny.edu/commencement/index.html

THE CITY COLLEGE OF NEW YORK
City College, Great Lawn, 10:00 a.m.
www.ccny.cuny.edu/commencement

Tuesday, June 7

MACAULAY HONORS COLLEGE
United Palace, 2:00 p.m.
macaulay.cuny.edu/news-events/commencement

Thursday, June 9

BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Barclays Center, 9:00 a.m.
www.bmcc.cuny.edu/commencement

CUNY GRADUATE CENTER
Barclays Center, 3:30 p.m.
www.gc.cuny.edu/commencement/commencement-2022

Thursday, June 16

KINGSBOROUGH COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Kingsborough Community College, Amphitheater, 11:00 a.m.
www.kbcc.cuny.edu/commencement/57Commencement/index.html

Friday, June 17

GUTTMAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Bryant Park, 9:00 a.m.
guttman.cuny.edu/students/commencement/information-for-students

Tuesday, June 21

LAGUARDIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Queens College, The Quad, 9:30 a.m.
www.laguardia.edu/about/commencement/speakers

TBD

HUNTER COLLEGE
hunter.cuny.edu/students/academic-planning/commencement-ceremony

Completed

Friday, May 13

CUNY SCHOOL OF LAW
Queens College, Colden Auditorium, 10:00 a.m. (Class of 2022); 3:00 p.m. (Classes of 2020 and 2021)
law.cuny.edu/students/commencement

The City University of New York is the nation’s largest urban public university, a transformative engine of social mobility that is a critical component of the lifeblood of New York City. Founded in 1847 as the nation’s first free public institution of higher education, CUNY today has seven community colleges, 11 senior colleges, and seven graduate or professional institutions spread across New York City’s five boroughs, serving over 260,000 undergraduate and graduate students and awarding 55,000 degrees each year. CUNY’s mix of quality and affordability propels almost six times as many low-income students into the middle class and beyond as all the Ivy League colleges combined. More than 80 percent of the University’s graduates stay in New York, contributing to all aspects of the city’s economic, civic and cultural life and diversifying the city’s workforce in every sector. CUNY’s graduates and faculty have received many prestigious honors, including 13 Nobel Prizes and 26 MacArthur “Genius” Grants. The University’s historic mission continues to this day: provide a first-rate public education to all students, regardless of means or background.

Medgar Evers College is pleased to announce the recipients receiving honorary doctorate degrees during its 2022 Commencement Ceremony. Honorary recipients include American Pro-Basketball player, Hall-of-Famer, and education advocate Earl "The Pearl" Monroe and Managing Director of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management's Global Sports and Entertainment Division, Sandra L. Richards.

"Our 2022 honorary degree recipients have outstanding achievements in their respective fields and a dedication to public service," said Dr. Patricia Ramsey, President of Medgar Evers College. "As a College with social justice in its DNA, it is important to recognize those whose life's work reflects the College's mission of educating for social justice and the uplift of our global community."

Earl Monroe will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters. Monroe joined the NBA in 1967, following a successful career as a basketball player for  Winston-Salem State University, an HBCU in North Carolina. Monroe played college basketball when the country was amid the civil rights era, and those years shaped his commitment to social justice. After Monroe graduated from Winston-Salem State, he passed the National Teacher's Exam. In his 13-year NBA career, Monroe was a key leader on the Baltimore Bullets and the New York Knicks. Former NBA Player and U.S. Senator Bill Bradley described Monroe as the "ultimate playground player." A four-time NBA All-Star, Monroe retired in 1980. In 1990, he was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Monroe was elected to the NBA 75thAnniversary Team in 2021, and in that same year, the Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball School, a co-ed charter, tuition-free high school, was founded in the Bronx.

Sandra L. Richards will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters. Richards is the Managing Director of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management'sGlobal Sports and Entertainment Division. Richards plays a significant role in the growth of the $155B global unit and strategic leadership for 204 Global Wealth Advisors and Sports and Entertainment Directors. Before joining Morgan Stanley, Richards was the Development Officer and Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at the Jackie Robinson Foundation, a national non-profit organization with strong ties to professional sports teams and owners. The author of the children's book Rice and Rocks, Richards, visits schools to encourage literacy and celebrate diversity and culture. She has been a visiting author at Medgar Evers College, distributing her book to School of Education students to use in their fieldwork experience.

The honorary degrees will be granted during the Commencement Ceremony on the Medgar Evers College campus on Thursday, June 2.

Dear Medgar Evers College Graduates and Graduation Candidates:

Congratulations on your achievement! We are writing to share important information about the Spring 2022 Commencement. Please read this communication in its entirety.  

Commencement Details

Date:  June 2, 2022
Ceremony Start Time:  9:00 am
Processional Begins: 8:30 am
Location:  Medgar Evers College Amphitheatre

Academic Regalia

All students must wear academic regalia to participate in the commencement ceremony. If you have not yet purchased academic regalia, you should contact the Office of Student Life at StudentLife@mec.cuny.edu.

Graduates' Arrival and Convening Locations

Graduates should plan to arrive to campus no later than 7:00 am with academic regalia. Check-in areas will be located in front of the main entrance of the AB1 building.  Name cards will be distributed at check-in on the morning of Commencement. Please be prepared to present your picture ID and proof of vaccination.   As a reminder, COVID check-in protocols are still in place.  Proof of vaccination should be uploaded to Cleared4 following CUNY guidelines and instructions.  For assistance, please contact Ms. Althea Willie at HealthServices@mec.cuny.edu.

COVID-19 and Vaccination Requirements

In accordance with CUNY guidelines, all students visiting a campus for any reason whether they are taking in-person classes or not, must have up-to-date vaccination status and have their vaccination documents approved in CUNYfirst — unless they have been granted a religious exception or a medical exemption. Students must also have uploaded proof of receiving a booster shot once eligible according to the guidelines. The only other exception to this change is that campus leaders can accommodate entry to students who need to access emergency services on campus, such as food pantries and mental health services. For additional information, please review the CUNY Corona Virus FAQs.

If you are participating in the Commencement Ceremony and your degree was conferred in either summer 2021 or fall 2021 – and you are not currently enrolled, you have the option of uploading your vaccination information or presenting proof of vaccination to the security staff upon entry into the campus. If you are not vaccinated, you must show a negative COVID-19 PCR test that was taken within seven (7) days of Commencement, from an accredited testing facility.

For assistance, please contact Ms. Althea Willie at HealthService@mec.cuny.edu.

Accessibility Accommodations

Graduates requiring accessibility accommodations should complete the accommodation request form at this link. For additional information, please contact the Office of Student Success and Enrollment Management at StudentSuccess@mec.cuny.edu by May 23, 2022.  American Sign Language interpretation will be provided during the ceremony.

Tickets

Each student will be provided four (4) tickets for guests. As a reminder, all visitors are required to adhere to the vaccination guidelines. Subject to the exceptions in this policy, every visitor to a CUNY campus, whether accessing indoor or outdoor spaces, must provide proof to CUNY that they (i) are fully vaccinated or (ii) have had a negative COVID-19 molecular (PCR) test performed by an accredited lab no more than seven (7 ) days prior to the visit.

Tickets may be picked up from the lobby of the S-building on the following dates and times:

May 23 – 27 between 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
May 31 - June 1 between 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

If you are not able to come to campus during the designated dates and times, please contact the Office of Student Success and Enrollment Management at StudentSuccess@mec.cuny.edu.

The Commencement Ceremony will be held in the Campus Amphitheater rain or shine. Seating will be limited. Ticketed guests will be seated in the Amphitheater on a first-come, first-served basis or may watch the ceremony on closed-circuit television in several designated areas.

Bags, Backpacks, and Materials

We do not have a secure area for your personal belongings. We encourage you to leave all personal items at home or with family members or friends attending the ceremony. The College is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

CUNY Weapons Policy on Campus

No individual within the University community, except Peace Officers, pursuant to authorization of the College Presidents, shall have in their possession a rifle, shotgun, firearm, or any other dangerous instrument or material that can be used to inflict bodily harm on an individual, or damage to a building or the grounds of the campus.  Violators of this policy may be subject to any and all applicable laws.

This year we are hosting the Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, June 2, 2022, at 9:00 am, on campus to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates!  We are soliciting your support for this event by asking you to serve as a Commencement Ambassador, and to use your talents to assist with various logistical and preparatory functions associated with the ceremony.  Commencement Ambassadors play a critically important role prior to and especially on the day of the commencement ceremony with responsibilities such as greeting guests, guiding students and faculty, assisting with the set-up, and crowd management.  Thanks for your consideration of this invitation. We really hope you will join us in making this a memorable commencement ceremony, celebrating our graduates with their families!

To sign up to be a Commencement Ambassador, please complete the form via this link.

The first African American Speaker of the New York City Council will serve as the commencement speaker at Medgar Evers College’s 2022 ceremony on Thursday, June 2.

Adrienne Eadie Adams, Speaker of the New York City Council, was elected in January 2022 by her colleagues to lead the most diverse and the first women-majority Council in New York City history. Elected to the City Council in November 2017, she is also the first woman to represent District 28, which encompasses the Queens neighborhoods of Jamaica, Richmond Hill, Rochdale Village, and South Ozone Park.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Speaker Adrienne E. Adams to our campus to share in this wonderful recognition of our students’ commitment and determination,” said President Patricia Ramsey. “After two challenging years due to COVID-19, it is a joy to be able to celebrate our graduates face-to-face with a distinguished keynote.”

Speaker Adams was raised in Hollis, Queens, and after briefly studying at York College, earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, the NAACP, and the National Action Network.

You can read more about this year’s speaker and other commencement-related news on the College’s website, mec.cuny.edu/commencement.

Dear Medgar Evers College Graduate:

Congratulations on your recent degree completion from Medgar Evers College! As announced last week, this year’s Commencement Ceremony will be held on June 2, 2022, at 9:00 am on campus. The commencement committee is kindly requesting that you complete the short survey at this link, so that we may have more information to guide our planning and gauge your interest in participating in the commencement ceremony. The survey will be open until May 13, 2022.

Thanks in advance for your participation.

After two years of virtual commencements, Medgar Evers College is excited to announce that its 51^st Commencement Ceremony will be in person at 9:00 am on Thursday, June 2, on the Medgar Evers College Campus. President Patricia Ramsey will preside over her first in-person commencement ceremony.

Additional information will be forthcoming as we prepare for this exciting day.