BMCC’s 44th Commencement Slide Show

June 10, 2009

Despite today’s economy, more than 2,000 ecstatic BMCC graduates walked across the stage at The Theatre at Madison Square Garden on May 29th to receive their diplomas.

Surprise visit from Senator Schumer
For starters, Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) made a surprise appearance at the college’s commencement. Schumer talked about his career path, joking about how his mom campaigned against him, telling Brooklyn residents not to vote for him when he first entered politics. She wanted him to become a successful lawyer.

Praising BMCC, Schumer said it is, “one of the best community colleges—not just in our city, but in our state and in our country.” He also said that today’s college graduates have a technological advantage; being much more tech-savvy than past generations.

Schumer met with cheers from the audience when he announced his piece of legislation giving middle class families a higher education tax deduction, which was signed by President Barak Obama. The annual $2,500 dollar deduction was crafted for families whose salary is below $200,000 a year.

President Pérez and success
When he took the stage, BMCC President Antonio Pérez told the crowd of students, staff, faculty, and joyous families that discipline and hard work are, “the pathways to success.”
“You will leave BMCC as educated men and women, with the opportunity to build a better life for yourselves, for your families and for your communities,” he said.

Congressman Nadler speaks
The 2009 BMCC commencement keynoter was Congressman Jerrold L. Nadler. A lifelong Democrat, Nadler represents New York’s Eighth Congressional District, which includes parts of Manhattan and especially BMCC.

“Today, all of you sit here with an important amount of accomplishments behind you,” he told the BMCC graduates. “Today is about your future. We’re living in tough times, but we have been here before, and we have survived and ultimately prospered.”
Remaining positive about the future, Nadler then said, “There’s always a place for young people to continue to create and persevere.”

Graduates Grateful to Graduate
At commencement, graduates were divided up by major. Three categories of degrees were granted: Science, Arts and Applied Science.

A January graduate, Javier Gonzalez said that graduating from BMCC “feels awesome.” “I was in the ASAP program and found it very helpful.” Hoping to pursue a career in business, the Liberal Arts major found the commencement ceremony “inspirational.”

“I don’t think people really know about the struggles students sometimes face at BMCC,” said graduate Laura Krimsky.  “I loved being at BMCC with people of different ages and backgrounds.”  Krimsky will pursue a higher degree at Brooklyn College.
Graduate Sandeep Kaushal, originally from India, will be attending Mercy College in the fall. A BMCC science major, Kaushal was attracted to BMCC by its diversity and location. He hopes to become a physician’s assistant.

Theatre major John Feret, who worked two jobs while attending BMCC, called getting his degree “a relief” after starting his academic career in 2003.

The Valedictorian takes the podium
This year’s Valedictorian was Opeymeni Akanji, a computer science major originally from Nigeria who was encouraged by his older sister to apply to BMCC. Akanji, who graduated BMCC with a 4.0, was active in school programs, including Out-in-Two, and will be attending Stony Brook University this fall.

“I came to BMCC with light bags and heavy ambitions,” he said.
“I have been inspired by my students and professors. Our professors dedicated their lives to empowering our minds—they are unsung heroes.”

Akanji said when he looks in front of him at his fellow graduates he saw, “limitless potential.” “As graduates, we usher in a new era of responsibility and change.”

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