Another year, another class embarks on its next chapter. On Saturday, May 17, SUNY Sullivan honored its class of 2025, conferring 230 degrees.

The ceremony opened with a procession of faculty and students, followed by a rendition of the Star-Spangled banner by Kyra Zanatta. 

Pastor Seth Switzer delivered the invocation, calling graduation “a launchpad, the starting, the ascending moment.” 

In his prayer, he asked God to, “guide [the graduates] steps, guide their hearts, grow their faith, [and] let them carry not just knowledge, but wisdom.”

The ceremony also featured the Health Sciences Pinning Ceremony, honoring graduates from the Nursing and Respiratory Care programs.

SUNY Sullivan President David Potash presented four Chancellor’s Awards - honors recognizing outstanding achievement by students and faculty. 

Chancellor’s Award 

recipients

– Student Excellence: Adrienne Lee

– Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities: Dr. Thomas J. Martin

– Excellence in Professional Service: Simon J. Clement

– Excellence in Adjunct Teaching: Nancy Dileo

Valedictorian Scott Cole earned a degree in Business Administration and will transfer to SUNY Binghamton in the fall to pursue a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in accounting through their 4 + 1 program. 

Guest speaker Shannon Daniel shared her personal journey from SUNY Sullivan student to educator, recounting the winding path that led her to a life and career at the college. Her story underscored the unexpected turns life often takes and the growth that comes with it. 

Class speaker and Salutatorian Adrienne Lee addressed her fellow graduates with words of encouragement and reflection on their shared struggles and triumphs. Lee hinted at some of her internal struggles and how her teachers and mentors helped her to grow. 

“I had a lot of encouragement from the staff here,” she said. Lee will go on to study graphic design at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan. 

As names were called and degrees conferred, the gymnasium filled with cheers from families and friends celebrating the end of a chapter, and the beginning of a new one.