Purchase College Graduation 2015

College-SUNY held its 43nd annual commencement ceremony May 15 at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, NY.

Degrees were conferred upon the class of more than 1,100 graduating scholars and artists representing dozens of majors and 14 countries. The graduates were joined by thousands of family members, friends, college faculty, and staff members who came together to celebrate their achievements.

As a center for creative growth and academic excellence, Purchase marked the annual event by honoring dynamic leaders from various fields. This year’s honorees included Barnard College president Dr. Debora Spar, playwright David Henry Hwang, and PepsiCo Chair and CEO Indra Nooyi. Sound artist Stephen Vitiello (’86) received the Distinguished Alumni Award. Philosophy major Angèlica Pilar Piña Alcantara represented the senior class, speaking movingly about her struggles to attend college as an immigrant. The day also featured the lively music of Purchase faculty member Joe Ferry and the Big Ska Band. Senator Charles E. Schumer congratulated the class and called Purchase College “one of the best institutions of higher learning in the country.

The theme of the day was service and activism. All of the speakers touched upon those subjects and encouraged the graduates to become involved in their communities. Purchase College President Thomas J. Schwarz’s remarks focused on the importance of working together for civil rights. Invoking the words of President John F. Kennedy, President Schwarz said, “I challenge you again – take the torch as the new generation, seize on the significant opportunities we have to improve this nation as you have done for our college. You, and the nation will be better for it.”

About the Honorees

Dr. Debora Spar, President of Barnard College, received an honorary degree in recognition of her contribution to higher education, especially in the areas of women’s rights and diversity. Spar has spearheaded initiatives that include the Athena Center for Leadership Studies, an interdisciplinary center devoted to the theory and practice of women’s leadership, and Barnard’s Global Symposium series, an annual gathering of high-profile and accomplished female leaders. A political scientist by training, Spar’s scholarly research focuses on issues of international political economy. She is the author of numerous books, including The Baby Business: How Money, Science, and Politics Drive the Commerce of Conception (2006); and most recently Wonder Women: Sex, Power, and the Quest for Perfection.

Described by the New York Times as “the most important dramatist of American public life since Arthur Miller,” David Henry Hwang received a Purchase College honorary degree in recognition of his accomplishments as a playwright, librettist, and screenwriter. His acclaimed plays include M. Butterfly, Golden Child, Yellow Face, and Chinglish, among many others. Hwang has written books and librettos for Broadway musicals including Flower Drum Song, Tarzan, and Aida. His screenplays include M. Butterfly, The Lost Empire, and Possession. In 2014 David Henry Hwang was named director of Columbia University’s School of the Arts’ M.F.A. program in playwriting.

Indra Nooyi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo, received a Purchase College honorary degree for her commitment to improving the lives of people around the globe. Under her leadership, PepsiCo has made the fulfillment of a global sustainability strategy called “Performance with a Purpose” a priority. Active in education and non-profit organizations, she serves as a member of the Foundation Board of the World Economic Forum, the International Rescue Committee, Catalyst, and Lincoln Center for the Performing arts.

Internationally recognized sound and media artist Stephen Vitiello ’86 (BA Literature) received the 2015 Distinguished Alumni award. His work has been featured at the Whitney Museum, MASS MoCA, the High Line, and the Sydney Biennial. He’s also a professor in the Kinetic Imaging Department at Virginia Commonwealth University.