Describing the College of Staten Island as “an institution on the brink of a new and exciting era in its history,” CSI President Tomás Morales began his first Convocation speech to a near-capacity audience in the Center for the Arts Williamson Theatre.

Dr. Morales noted that the “past year has been exciting: more courses, new faculty, new professional positions, outstanding students, improved transportation, record public funding for capital projects, and innovative advertising campaigns.” However, he also stressed that his vision for the future is founded on the College’s people– “Outstanding faculty, an outstanding student body, and an outstanding staff. In short, it is based on you, our people. You are second to none. You are world class, right here.”

Dr. Morales further spotlighted the College’s faculty and the great contributions that they are making to the quality of scholarship at CSI and the record enrollment on campus, including a burgeoning class in the CUNY Macaulay Honors College.

“Our outstanding faculty is attracting other great scholars. This year alone, we have hired 27 new faculty-men and women who will carry on the extraordinary work of opening young minds and expanding the world’s knowledge. Among the ranks of new faculty are freshly minted PhDs from among the finest universities in the world. Our faculty, new and established, and our outstanding adjuncts, are a tremendous incentive for students to study at CSI. And students are enrolling in record numbers. Today, CSI has more students enrolled than at anytime in its history. We have surpassed last year’s record enrollment by five percent.”

The Convocation concluded with a ceremony that recognized CSI faculty and staff who have 25 and 30 years or more of service to the College.

CSI President Tomás Morales began his first Convocation speech to a near-capacity audience.