CAZENOVIA — On Saturday, May 22, Cazenovia College held two commencement ceremonies; the Class of 2020 was celebrated during the college’s 195th commencement ceremony at 10 a.m., and the Class of 2021 was celebrated at the 196th commencement at 2 p.m.
The original 2020 commencement event was postponed last May due to COVID-19 gathering restrictions.
This year, both ceremonies were held in-person on the campus quad and live-streamed via YouTube.
According to the college, extensive planning and preparations were conducted to ensure that proper safety protocols were in place, so students of both classes could enjoy as close to “normal” graduation ceremonies as possible.
“This was a monumental feat in the face of a 15-month pandemic and truly a marker of progress for the village and the college,” said Cazenovia College President Ron Chesbrough. “Aside from this as a substantial marker of a return to normalcy, it is a reminder of the economic value of the college to the village and the region, estimated at $60 million annually.”
The day was also significant as it was the first time in Cazenovia College’s almost 200-year history that it has recognized master’s degree candidates; the first cohort of students enrolled in the college’s Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program (begun in 2019) will graduate this year.
Chesbrough and Cazenovia College Board of Trustees Chair Kenneth Gardiner presided over both ceremonies.
Class of 2020 honored
The 195th commencement event began with the Mohawk Valley Frasers leading the graduates down Liberty Street from the college athletic center to the quad, where graduates and guests were socially distanced.
The college reported that many of the 2020 graduates returned to campus to receive in-person recognition, accept awards, provide class speeches, and celebrate with their families and friends.
Chesbrough delivered the opening remarks.
“We’ve waited twelve months and fourteen days for this opportunity to recognize and celebrate the incredible Class of 2020 in person,” he said. “We, the administration, faculty and staff, were committed to making this happen for the class. We are honored to welcome you back to campus today for the 195th Commencement at Cazenovia College.”
Class co-valedictorians Julia Dudley, of Albany, NY, and Samantha Lamphere, of Johnstown, NY, addressed the audience.
Dudley earned a bachelor of arts in English with minors in art history and international studies. Lamphere completed her bachelor of arts in biology with a minor in mathematics. Both achieved perfect 4.0 grade point averages.
Distinguished Service Award presented
The Cazenovia College Board of Trustees presented the Distinguished Service Award to longtime faculty member Dr. John Robert (“Bob”) Greene.
Greene was recognized for “his day-to-day invigoration of students in the classroom, his engagement with fellow faculty, and his participation in College affairs and administration.” In addition, the award states, “His representation of the College’s image and essence and its highest mission and ideals in academic inquiry and rigor; in professional motivation and achievement; in personal engagement and contribution; and in a steadfast commitment to achieve the greater good through all he does at, and for, this institution.”
A resident of Chittenango, Greene began teaching at the college on a part-time basis in 1979. He is the longest-serving member of the faculty, and through his national media appearances and scholarship, he has become known as the “national face of Cazenovia College.”
Chesbrough explained that although the award is not intended to recognize faculty, Greene’s contributions merited him as an “exceptional choice” for the board-bestowed honor.
Class of 2021 recognized
164 candidates for degrees were honored during the 196th commencement ceremony.
“I am pleased to see so many of you here today to join us – in person, and by live-stream – to celebrate this memorable occasion,” said Chesbrough. “After all we have been through the past fifteen months, it is nothing short of remarkable that we are here today to celebrate the Class of 2021.”
Nine master’s degree candidates were recognized. All of the students will formally complete their degrees in clinical mental health counseling after courses end in August.
Cazenovia resident Gail Boone was selected to speak at the ceremony to represent the first master’s program cohort. The following candidates were also recognized:
Heather Colvin-Duncan, of Oneida
Jennifer Cottet, of Chittenango
Sean Patrick Fulford Decker, of New Hampton
Bethany Huffstutler, of Earlville
Alexandria Nicole Lake, of Vernon Center
Lori Ann McCrohan, of Manlius
Brianna Christine Wolf, of Marietta
Shiloh Wood, of Cazenovia
Additionally, 153 students were presented for baccalaureate degrees, and two students were presented for associate degrees.
Sydney Rowan Seay, of Parkville, MD, was named valedictorian. Seay earned a bachelor of fine arts degree, summa cum laude, in visual communications with a focus in illustration animation.
Roshawn Kershaw, of Syracuse, NY, was named class salutatorian. She earned a bachelor of science degree in human services, with minors in psychology, sociology and disability services. She graduated summa cum laude with memberships in the Alpha Chi, Alpha Lamba Delta, Psi Chi, and Tau Upsilon Alpha academic honor societies. Kershaw was also presented with the top honor in her academic division, the Academic Excellence in Social and Behavioral Sciences Division Award.
US Senator Chuck Schumer
The two commencement ceremonies featured recorded remarks from US Senator Chuck Schumer.
“With COVID affecting our nation’s health, our nations economy, and your senior year, these have been unusual and difficult times,” Schumer said. “The challenges of this moment are truly unique but so has been our collective response. The fact that we are still celebrating this graduation and not letting COVID stand in the way, even if we are celebrating differently, just goes to show you that New Yorkers won’t let anything stop us from honoring what is so important in life. And nothing, nothing can take away from the fact that you earned a degree from such a fine institution of higher learning. So, to Cazenovia College classes of 2020 and 2021, I say once again, congratulations, good luck, Godspeed.”
Recordings and images of the 195th and 196th commencement ceremonies are available at cazenovia.edu.
