Adelphi Celebrates Class of 2023 at 127th Commencement Ceremony

Garden City, NY (05/17/2023) — Adelphi University's 2023 Commencement ceremony will be held at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, May 23, at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York.

Degrees will be conferred on 2,500 Adelphi students, who will receive bachelor's, master's or doctoral degrees from the University's College of Arts and Sciences, Robert B. Willumstad School of Business, Ruth S. Ammon College of Education and Health Sciences, College of Nursing and Public Health, College of Professional and Continuing Studies, Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology, and School of Social Work.

Entrepreneur and humanitarian Hamdi Ulukaya, CEO of Chobani, will receive an honorary doctorate and serve as keynote speaker for the event. Ulukaya attended Adelphi's English language program in 1994 after emigrating from Turkey and before continuing his education and launching the number-one selling yogurt brand in the United States.

Four graduating students-Brooke Beck, Matthew Ingrao, Sabrina Ramirez and Bethany Wright-will kick off and close the ceremony by singing the national anthem and the "Alma Mater," respectively. Senior Class President Miguel Velasquez, Student Government Association President Tyler Masure and Graduate Student Council President Helen Kouridakis '20 will share remarks with the graduates and their guests.

Additional ceremonies and festivities occurred throughout the month of May for the Class of 2023. The Lavender and Multicultural Graduate Celebration recognized the accomplishments of graduating students who identify as members or allies of the LGBTQIA+ community, multicultural community, CSTEP (Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program), or Mentoring Program.

Individual schools and colleges held ceremonies to honor their students' achievements, including the College of Arts and Sciences Dean's Student Circle Celebration and a pre-Commencement ceremony for Ruth S. Ammon College of Education and Health Sciences students.

"I'm absolutely assured that you are going to be special teachers and make a difference in students' lives because of the education you received here," said Carol Ammon, MBA '79, '10 (Hon.), DNP, daughter of the College's namesake and the keynote speaker at its ceremony. "Your job in totality is enormous. The rewards are just incredible."

Adelphi's Doctoral Hooding Ceremony for students in the Adult Gerontology Primary Care, Audiology, Clinical Psychology, Nursing, School Psychology, Social Work, and Speech-Language Sciences and Disorders doctoral programs will be held on Monday, May 22, at the Adelphi University Performing Arts Center on the Garden City campus.

Extraordinary Students, Extraordinary Futures

As members of the Class of 2023 complete their transformational Adelphi education, many are on their way to becoming leaders, entrepreneurs, and change-makers.

Barbara Quagliardi BS '22, MS in Business Analytics: Barbara came to Adelphi from Turkey. After graduation and concluding her remarkable tennis career, she will begin work as a financial analyst at Royal Bank of Canada. Quagliardi shares, "The most valuable thing I learned at Adelphi University was the importance of asking questions and actively engaging in campus life. By participating in athletic teams, clubs, events, and seminars, I gained a deeper understanding of different perspectives and enhanced my overall learning experience."

Jonay Jackson, BBA, Business Management: Another student in the Willumstad School of Business, Jonay says, "The most valuable thing I have learned from Adelphi is the power of stepping outside one's comfort zone and saying 'yes' to the intimidating opportunities that cross your path. The potential of a person unafraid to fail is nearly limitless." Jackson is a Willumstad Leadership Scholar, Panther Pantry volunteer coordinator and the recipient of multiple awards, including Student Leader of the Year. She was a participant of the Greenwood Project, a nonprofit organization that helps Black and Latinx students navigate the financial services industry.

Caio Gomes, BS, International Studies: a first-generation student from Brazil, Caio hopes to follow a career in higher education as a professor who furthers human rights, social and climate justice, and world peace causes. A Levermore Global Scholar, 2022 Newman Civic Fellow, and participant of the 2023 Bhise Global Learning Experience, Caio says, "I believe Adelphi has prepared me for my future and for the real world by fostering an environment that emphasizes diversity and leadership. Through exposure to a diverse range of individuals, cultures, and ideas, Adelphi has equipped me with essential skills and competencies necessary for success in a diverse and rapidly evolving society."

Learn more about Adelphi's 2022 Commencement Ceremony at adelphi.edu/commencement.

Members of the media are welcome to attend and cover the ceremony. If interested in speaking to graduating students, please contact Bobbie Dell'Aquilo, rdellaquilo@adelphi.edu or 516.528.2380, so we can coordinate.

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