Exuberant graduates and their proud families lit up the Westchester County Center with their excitement at Mercy College's 73rd Commencement Ceremonies on May 28, 2008. The smiles at the podium were even more radiant than the sunny skies outside as graduates celebrated their achievements.

This year, more than 2,800 students earned undergraduate and graduate degrees at Mercy College. Graduates included 13 recipients of the first-ever doctorate degree in the college's history (doctorate of physical therapy). Nearly 1,300 students participated in the undergraduate and graduate ceremonies, in front of a packed audience of friends and families to cheer them on to successful futures.

The Commencement Exercises began with a stirring procession of faculty and graduating students marching into the grand hall to the accompaniment of drums and bagpipes.

At the morning's undergraduate ceremonies, class valedictorian Edith Morillo '08 delivered the student address and was awarded the President's Medal for Preeminent Scholarship. Ana Molenaar '08 was presented with the Mercy College Alumni Achievement Award for Outstanding Leadership and Volunteerism.

President Louise H. Feroe's welcome address delivered an inspiring message to the graduates. "Mercy College's legacy to you is not just your degree, but the attitude of mind that enables you to benefit from your education - namely persistence," said Dr. Feroe. "Mercy College has always valued desire and perseverance... What we expect of students is that you are motivated, committed to your goals and that you use their experiences to lead others to find their own success." For President Feroe's full address to the undergraduate class, please click here.

United States Senator Charles E. (Chuck) Schumer also addressed the graduates with upbeat and motivating message. "This is the time to aspire to a dream," said the Senator, urging them do what they love.

New York State Senator Vincent L. Leibell delivered the commencement address and was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.

At the afternoon's graduate program ceremonies, President Feroe presented the welcome address. "As graduates of Mercy College, you have had the good fortune to work and learn among men and women from more than 100 of the world's countries," said Dr. Feroe. "Among the things you know-in addition to your knowledge of business or literature or psychology or the health professions-is that our differences are occasions for learning, not problems to be feared." For President Feroe's full address to the graduate class, please click here.

The graduate student addresses were given by Marc A. Caputo '08 and Jennifer Schwartz '08, while the commencement speech was presented by Dr. Michael D. Israel, President and CEO of Westchester Medical Center.

Adding to the buzz throughout the day was the noticeable presence of the media, including WRNN-TV, The Journal News, The Putnam County Courier, and The North County News. WRNN-TV aired an in-depth segment including interviews with graduates, while The Journal News highlighted the commencement with a feature print article ("Mercy College grads told to rise above expectations," May 29, 2008) as well as an online gallery of photos and list of graduates. Mercy College and its commencement were also spotlighted on BronxNet-TV following the event.

At both ceremonies, the speeches were followed by the conferring of degrees to the beaming graduates, who stepped up to the podium while their well-wishers cheered from the audience. Then it was time for the Class of 2008 to step outside into the sunshine and their bright futures as Mercy College graduates.

As the Mercy community enters a new academic year, we would like to congratulate the Class of 2008, thank everyone who participated in what will prove to be one of the College's best remembered days, and invite you to enjoy the undergraduate ceremony and graduate ceremony photo albums.

Graduation DVD

If you would like a DVD of the graduation ceremony, please send a check for $20.00, payable to Mercy College (shipping & handling are included) to:

Mercy College
Attn: Louis Grasso
555 Broadway # GMH31
Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

To ensure that we can reserve a copy for you, please place your order by June 6th. Please indicate which ceremony video is being ordered (undergraduate or graduate). Please make sure that your address and phone number are on your check.

Photographs

A photographer from Graduation Images by Chappell has taken candid photographs of you at your special moment of recognition. You will also receive a free passport-sized digital proof of this photo on an order card within 5-7 days following the ceremony; you may order online at www.gradimages.com or call 1-800-424-3686.