SUNY Plattsburgh Celebrates the Class of 2008

PLATTSBURGH, NY (05/17/2008)(readMedia)-- Over 800 SUNY Plattsburgh students crossed the dais in the Field House today during the two commencement ceremonies.

The student speaker for both ceremonies was Carrie Jean Douglas of AuSable Forks, who graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in English language arts and a minor in women’s studies. Douglas spoke about the tragedies that the students had lived through during their time at SUNY Plattsburgh.

“We have studied through the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Indian Ocean Tsunami, the price of oil skyrocketing, the threat of the bird flu, the deaths of thousands from disease, poverty, and war in Africa, Hurricane Katrina, global warming, the ominous threat of nuclear weapons, the Virginia Tech Massacre, and, most recently, the Myanmar cyclone and earthquake in China,” said Douglas.

But, said Douglas, amidst all of this bad news there has also been good news.

“While these negatives were the stories that made the evening news or that were headlining our Yahoo homepages, there was good right here at Plattsburgh State, and it started with the students,” she said. Douglas went on to mention how students rallied together to raise $25,000 for cancer research, how they voted in one of the first voluntary student fees for alternative energy and how they committed thousands of hours to service projects in the community.

“However, it is no longer about Plattsburgh State for us soon-to-be graduates, so good for you if you were a volunteer that I mentioned, but do not fret if you were not,” she said and went on to encourage the graduates to make the world a better place, using their degrees as “illuminating lanterns into the unknown future, and never, ever losing hope in humanity.”

The first ceremony began at 10 a.m. for students majoring in programs within the Division of Education, Health and Human Services and the School of Business and Economics. The second ceremony started at 2 p.m. for students in the Division of Arts and Science.

Both ceremonies featured presentations of the 2008 Distinguished Service Award and the 2008 Distinguished Alumni Award.

The 2008 Distinguished Service Award went to Dr. Robert Golden, the college’s provost and vice president of academic affairs. This award is designed to honor a person who played a key role in advancing SUNY Plattsburgh.

"Bob Golden's unassuming, approachable manner, his willingness to involve others in the planning process and his genuine foresight have helped the college to become what it is today - a thriving institution with unique, cutting-edge programs," said Garrant.

Golden said what convinced him to come to SUNY Plattsburgh was the high level of commitment that he saw from many individuals at the college.

“I’m still enormously impressed with the level of commitment on the part of so many of our faculty, staff, alumni, friends and, of course, students to this college. What ever I have done, I could not have done without their commitment, and I firmly believe that that level of commitment will ensure that our best days are ahead of us,” said Golden.

Douglas Sloan, a 1991 graduate of SUNY Plattsburgh, received the Distinguished Alumni Award. This award honors alumni who have exemplified the college's tradition of excellence and brought credit to the college through personal accomplishments, professional achievement or humanitarian service.

Sloan had only been out of college for six years when he came to serve on the Plattsburgh Alumni Association Board of Directors in 1997. His tenure on the board lasted 11 years, five of which were spent as president. He was the youngest Alumni Association president in the history of the college.

Current President of the Plattsburgh Alumni Association Doug McManus spoke of Sloan’s many contributions to the college.

“During his five years at Alumni Board president, Doug strived for more interaction between the alumni and the students, faculty and administration,” said McManus. “He worked to establish more internship opportunities for students through networking with alumni. And, he sought greater financial contributions from alumni to assist in scholarship opportunities for students. In an effort to set an example, Doug and his wife, Jennifer, are personally supporting international growth and development opportunities for students through the Honors Program.”

In his speech, Sloan encouraged students to focus on their ideals.

“The concept of university and what it stands for are among my three or four ideals,” said Sloan. “And as such, I have made my commitment to serve Plattsburgh State. I believe that those at Plattsburgh get it right with the humanity that they bring to their purpose, and I find that I continue to grow here, and I have been personally rewarded as a result of this connection.”

President John Ettling presided over the commencement ceremony as the 10th president of SUNY Plattsburgh. Awarding the diploma covers were 1957 graduate of SUNY Plattsburgh and Chairperson of the College Council Donald Garrant, Vice Chairperson Roger Burke and council members Arnold Amell and M. Catherine Hollinshead.

Dr. Lois Beach, associate professor and chair of adolescence/health education, was the faculty marshal for the first ceremony. Dr. Charles Zinser, professor of geography, was the faculty marshal for the second ceremony. The faculty marshal leads the processional of faculty and students into the ceremony, carrying the traditional college mace.

During both ceremonies, The Adirondack Brass played “Pomp and Circumstance” and the Elgin and District Pipes and Drums played the bagpipes. The Cardinal Singers, under the direction of JoEllen Miano, associate professor of music, sang the “Star Spangled Banner.”

To view more photos from the ceremony, visit web.plattsburgh.edu/galleries/main.php?g2_itemId=3683.

Posted Saturday May 17, 2008 at 05:54 pm by SUNY Plattsburgh