Although the weather was cloudy and cool with a slight threat of rain, the College of Staten Island community, as well as graduates’ families and friends, came together to celebrate the Class of 2025. This year, a total of 2,112 students joined the ranks of the CSI Alumni Association at the ceremony, which was held on the Great Lawn.

After introductory comments from CSI Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Michael Steiper, CSI President Timothy G. Lynch came to the lectern to address the grads and attendees. He pointed out how today’s graduates faced difficult times, yet achieved so much. “Your development as individuals, as activists, as community leaders, as advocates, and now, as proud graduates of the College of Staten Island, is truly remarkable. What makes these accomplishments even more notable and noteworthy is the time in which you achieved them. Coming out of a once-in-a-century pandemic, with the challenges of remote and blended learning, and amid a national and international political landscape marked by turmoil and uncertainty, you persevered, and you grew.”

Noting that this class is one of the most diverse in the College’s history and a testament to the social mobility that CSI champions, President Lynch reminded the graduates that Commencement is not an ending, but a beginning of the next phase of life. He urged the Class of 2025 to remember the help that others have given them in their academic journeys and to pay it forward to future students to help them achieve.

Following remarks from CUNY Trustee Jill O’Donnell-Tormey on behalf of the University, Associate Professor of Philosophy Stephen Morris delivered greetings on behalf of the faculty. In his comments, Dr. Morris, who received the Dolphin Award for Outstanding Scholarly Achievement by a Member of the Full-Time faculty, imparted some advice to the graduates. “When it comes to seeking answers to…key questions, critical thinking is of supreme importance,” he said. “All of us here have a great advantage over those who came before us insofar as we have access to more information than previous generations could have imagined. The flip side of this is that we are also exposed to excessive amounts of misinformation, often by parties who are seeking to deceive us for their own benefit. Critical thinking—especially the ability to distinguish dependable information from misinformation—is vital for helping us successfully navigate this information age.”

CSI 2025 Valedictorian Neebal Abuhamdeh, who graduated with a BA in English Linguistics and a minor in Speech-Language Pathology, began her remarks on video by pointing out that she is a 47-year-old, first-generation Palestinian American and mother of four. She emphasized that 20 years ago, she never would have thought that she would be a Valedictorian. After she thanked family, friends, and her teachers for helping her on her academic journey, Abuhamdeh commented. “As a mother, and a paraprofessional with goals of one day becoming a teacher, I strongly believe that every child, everywhere, deserves access to education, just as every child deserves to live with safety, dignity, and a chance to reach their highest potential. Synergy is at the heart of how we grow, though families, communities, and networks. We’re not meant to walk this journey alone.” She concluded with these words of encouragement, “Growth isn’t reserved for the young or unburdened, it belongs to anyone brave enough to begin again, even when it feels scary. The world needs your mind, your voice, and your heart. We’ve been entrusted with knowledge. Let’s use it to rise together, to build equity where there is injustice, and to protect when there is harm.”  

In addition, the College bestowed an honorary degree on Saturday Night Live’s Colin Jost, who provided remarks via video. New York State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton also provided recorded greetings.

Preceding the presentation of degree candidates, CSI Alumni Association President Jennifer Miller ’07 presented the Alumni Sash to Student Government President Adrian Rosales to symbolically induct all of today’s graduates.

Departmental Commencement exercises followed the main ceremony at various locations across campus.

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By Terry Mares