Selden, NY – On Monday evening, September 3rd, over 400 students, faculty and administrators at Suffolk County Community College convened on the Ammerman Campus for the College’s annual Academic Convocation. The Convocation coincides with the first day of classes for the fall semester at the College. This ceremony provides an opportunity for the College’s President, Dr. Shaun L. McKay, to establish the institutional vision for the year, formally welcome new faculty, staff and students to the College and to bestow honors upon select members of the college community.
In addition to the welcoming address from Dr. McKay, the day’s keynote address was delivered by Anthony Mangual, alumnus from the Class of 2013 and past Student Trustee. Dafny Irizarry, Chairwoman of the College’s Board of Trustees presented greetings from the Board. In addition, the College honored three SUNY Chancellor Award recipients and bestowed the title of Professor Emeritus to eight retired members of the college community.
While addressing the audience, Dr. McKay encouraged the college community to commit to ensuring that the institution’s strategic plan and goals will be the top priority for the forthcoming year, leading to enhanced excellence and student success. Dr. McKay noted, “It remains an honor for me to stand at the helm of the College today, preparing to lead this exceptional institution into its 54th year. Today we are a vibrant, continuously improving higher education resource. I see Suffolk County Community College advancing as a result of its willingness to embrace change. Through change and education comes revitalization, a hallmark I have pressed forward as president and one that I will continue to emphasize.”
Dr. McKay also stated, “Our community college possesses the talent and the will to transcend limiting thoughts about what we can achieve as an institution and what our students can achieve as individuals. As an institution, we must decide to implement necessary changes because our mission compels us to do so. At the same time, I encourage our students to be inspired to perform at a level that leads you to exceed expectations and to transform your life through education.”
Keynote speaker, Anthony Mangual, discussed his experience at the College and the school’s ability to pass knowledge down to new generations, “Suffolk is filled with success stories. The passion of the professors and the dedication of the students go hand in hand. We couldn’t have one without the other. This institution gave me a home, a life, friends and family. Most importantly, I learned that completing your education is worth the hard work. We are all warriors – the veterans, the single parents, the new students, the ESL students. We have to celebrate the path that brought us here.”
For a full summary of the College’s accomplishments for the 2012-2013 academic year, access the following link: http://www.sunysuffolk.edu/About/accomplishments1213.asp. A copy of the College’s Strategic Plan is also available online at: http://www.sunysuffolk.edu.
Photo Caption: Dr. Shaun L. McKay, President of Suffolk County Community College, leads the College’s Academic Convocation on September 3, 2013.
Photo Caption: Students applaud at Suffolk County Community College’s Academic Convocation on September 3, 2013.
About Suffolk County Community College
Suffolk County Community College (SCCC) is the largest community college in the State University of New York (SUNY) system, enrolling approximately 26,000 students at its three campuses in Selden, Brentwood and Riverhead. SCCC offers the Associate in Arts (A.A.), Associate in Science (A.S.), and Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees, as well as a variety of certificate programs. Offering affordable college tuition, a highly respected Honors program, extensive extracurricular activities, championship athletic teams, and numerous transfer programs, SCCC is a first-choice college for Long Island students.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 4, 2013
No. 16/13-14
MEDIA CONTACT: Mary M. Feder, Director of College Relations
Suffolk County Community College
(631) 451-4256 federm@sunysuffolk.edu
Suffolk County Community College Alumni 