Rockland Community College holds Commencement on May 21

RAMAPO – This Commencement promises to stir even more emotion than usual, as Dr. Cliff L. Wood presides over his 14th and final Rockland Community College graduation ceremony as President before his June 30 retirement. Proud graduates will celebrate their success along with families and friends who join with RCC faculty, administration, and the many local dignitaries to acknowledge the students’ achievements. The 1,150 students eligible to participate include those who completed their degrees in August ’16 and December ’16.

Sunday, May 21, 2017
1 - 4 pm
RCC’s Eugene Levy Fieldhouse
145 College Road, Suffern, NY 10901

The keynote speaker is alumnus Febin Bellamy ’14, returning to the RCC campus one day after receiving his own new diploma from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. Bellamy has received wide acclaim, including an article in Forbes, for the not-for-profit organization he founded, Unsung Heroes. The organization promotes appreciation for the often overlooked behind-the-scenes workers on college campuses, and helps them reach their own dreams. Bellamy’s work has been featured in other national media, including NBC Nightly News and the Washington Post.

To visit the Unsung Heroes website, go to www.unsung-hero.org.
To see NBC’s story on Febin Bellamy and his organization, visit http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/paying-back-the-unsung-heroes-of-georgetown-university-791232067788.

The “Message to the Graduates” will be delivered by David Carlucci, RCC Class of 2000, BS, NY State Senator - 38th District.

Chancellor Award Student Honorees:

RCC students Yehides Moskovits, Chaya Wagschal and Ummaikhair Zuhair are the 2017 recipients of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence along with Scholar Athlete Shannon Thomas. The Chancellor’s Awards honor students for integrating academic excellence with other aspects of their lives, including leadership, campus involvement, community service, arts, athletics and/or career achievement.

Chancellor’s Awards Honorees Faculty and Staff:

Excellence in Teaching: Kevin Barrett, PhD, Chair, Criminal Justice
Excellence in Teaching: George Repic, MBA, Chair, Business
Excellence in Faculty Service: Patricia Zodda, MS, Chair, Exercise and Human Performance
Excellence in Professional Service: Abigail Hunte ’10, BS, Coordinator of New Media

Honors Conferred:

Arlene W. Clinkscale will be conferred Trustee Emerita status. Dr. Clinkscale served on the RCC Board of Trustees from April 2004-June 2015, including a decade-long tenure as Board Chair. She provided robust leadership and tapped her extensive experience with budgets, staffing and student relations. Dr. Clinkscale previously served as superintendent of schools in Nyack, making her the first African-American woman in New York State to lead a school district.

Leonard M. Kurz will receive an honorary degree. Kurz is the president and creative force of Forest Creatures Entertainment, and serves as a director and officer of the Kurz Family Foundation. At Rockland Community College, he was instrumental in establishing the Herbert Kurz Automotive Technology Center and the Peace Garden, continuing the generous philanthropy of his father (Herbert) who began RCC’s Herbert Kurz President’s Student Support Fund.