SUNY Plattsburgh celebrates commencement 2009

More than 800 students take the stage

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A SUNY Plattsburgh graduate

PLATTSBURGH, NY (05/16/2009)(readMedia)-- PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (May 16, 2009) - Hugs, tears, and congratulations were the order of the day today at SUNY Plattsburgh's commencement ceremonies. More than 800 SUNY Plattsburgh students crossed the dais during the two celebrations.

"We are a beautiful mix of emotion, personality, spirit, soul and body"

The student speaker was Kinnon Marie Bliss of Lake Placid, N.Y., who graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in nursing. Bliss called for the graduates to look beyond their chosen career path to see if they are being all that they can be.

"Maybe the question people should be asking us when we're young is 'What kind of person do you want to be when you grow up? Do you want to be strong, brave, honest, compassionate?' The truth of the matter is that we have the innate ability inside us to become whomever we want. No one characteristic or personality trait can define us. We are a beautiful mix of emotion, personality, spirit, soul and body," Bliss said.

Bliss called the graduates to action, today, tomorrow and on into the future.

"If you can say for certain that you are becoming the person you desire, then I encourage you to continue down this road. However, if you are unsure of your place in this world, fear not. Tomorrow is a new day, full of exciting chances to take hold of your destiny and begin the process of becoming the person you want to be. For all of us, this process is never ending. It will continue on until our last day. We will forever be becoming - being refined, shaped and molded into the best version of ourselves, should we so choose."

Off to a Good Start

Another graduate, Dave Annable, took to the stage at both ceremonies as well. The actor was honored with the Plattsburgh Alumni Association's Off to a Good Start Award. The award honors individuals who are excelling in a career, who demonstrate a sense of responsibility within the community and who continue to have a relationship with SUNY Plattsburgh.

Annable is on the cast of ABC's hit series "Brothers & Sisters," where he acts opposite Sally Field, Calista Flockhart, Rob Lowe, and others. In addition, he has recently completed shooting the romantic-comedy film "You May Not Kiss the Bride," in which he co-stars with Katharine McPhee.

Despite his success in Hollywood, Annable has kept a promise he made to his mother and come back to SUNY Plattsburgh through online classes so that he could finish his degree in communication.

During his award speech, Anable discussed why he came back to Plattsburgh.

"You see, I've had some of the best years of my life here at Plattsburgh," said Annabel. "I've learned so much. I've learned how cold cheese on pizza at 2 a.m. is really good. I've learned the importance of layering your clothes in the winter because it's freezing here. Thank God this graduation is in May rather than December because I think I'd be getting the congratulations phone call from my parents.

"But seriously, I've learned and made some of the best friends of my life here. I tell you, my 10 best friends in the world are my rookie class in rugby and my fantasy football league. You stick with these people for the rest of your life. My very best friend in the world who's actually here with me today, to support me, I met right outside of the Stafford Ice Arena," he added.

He also thanked the faculty and staff from SUNY Plattsburgh for helping him be here today.

"But that's what Plattsburgh does, and that's what it taught me," he said. "It gave me the tools and experiences to go out into the real world.

"Now I know some of you guys are sitting here and are maybe a bit scared that you're entering the real world and you're not ready to be. But let me tell you something: You are. And you are because of Plattsburgh. You are because of your experience here."

2009 Distinguished Service Award

Dr. Celine Racine Paquette and Roderic G. Giltz were also honored at the ceremonies. Both received the 2009 Distinguished Service Award. The award is presented by the SUNY Plattsburgh College Council to honor individuals who have made a lasting contribution to the college community, state, nation and/or international community.

College Council Chair Arnold Amell said that he could think of no more deserving people to be given the award than Giltz and Paquette.

"Anyone looking at their business success, their outstanding community service and their extensive involvement with and support of SUNY Plattsburgh can see that their selection to receive the Distinguished Service Award is richly deserved," said Amell.

President John Ettling presided over the commencement ceremony as the 10th president of SUNY Plattsburgh. Associate Dean Thomas Corigliano served as faculty marshal, carrying the traditional college mace and leading the processional of faculty and students into the first ceremony. Dr. Charles Zinser, professor of geography, served as marshal for the second ceremony.

During both ceremonies, The Adirondack Brass played "Pomp and Circumstance" and the Elgin and District Pipes and Drums played the bagpipes. The Cardinal Singers sang the "Star Spangled Banner." They were accompanied by graduating students from the American Sign Language class.