Manhattanville College Class of 2010

Manhattanville College in Purchase held its' 169th annual undergraduate commencement ceremony Saturday at the campus.

Hundreds of graduates, their families, and faculty members gathered in a tent on the Quad to celebrate the students' accomplishments. All their hard work, determination,  dedication and discipline finally paid off when the graduates received their diplomas.

The graduate ceremony was held on May 20 — more than 1,700 undergraduate students and 1,200 graduate students from diverse countries and cultures make up Manhattanville's student body.

"As a Manhattanville graduate class of 2010, you make the college a wonderful place that it is and preserve the legacy that you have inherited," said college President Molly Easo Smith. "May you carry the story of Manhattanville in your hearts and through your actions, make others proud to know you because you are a Manhattanville graduate." 

Three awards were given to students: The Grace Cowardin Dammann Award, The Eleanor O'Byrne Prize, and The President's Prize.

DeVon Barnett was the recipient of the President's Prize.

"It's a really great honor it was probably the biggest surprise that I ever had in my life. I didn't expect it at all I certainly believe that I worked hard to get to this point," said Barnett, who plans to return to Washington D.C. to work for a few years before law school. "I like to be humble about it — I'm sure there were other students who were just as deserving of it — but overall Manhattanville has been a great experience and I look forward to being an alumni and to help out as much as I possibly can."

Stephanie Mejias, a mathematics major who graduated summa cum laude, said she's going to miss the people at Manhattanville.

"I've developed so many relationships, not just with students but also with professors, and that's what I'm going to miss the most," Mejias said.

Dr. Saeb Erekat was there to watch his son Ali graduate. Erekat, chief negotiator for the Palestinian Liberation Organization, expressed deep pride in his son's accomplishments.

"This is one of the happiest moments of my life," he said. "I came from Jericho and Palestine—I'm so proud today that Ali graduated with a bachelor's in business administration and political science, magna cum laude. Four years later — this shows how close people are with culture, religion, history, perspectives and I'm really honored to be at this graduation ceremony with my wife."

Ali Erekat's future plans include going to Palestine or coming back to Manhattanville to finish a master's degree in human resources.

"I love Manhattanville, my friends the community, the atmosphere, the classes, the professors," he said. "I love everything about the college. It's just gorgeous —it takes you away. I don't want to leave. I wish I had another year!"