The Sixtieth Commencement Exercises Friday, May 12, 2017 – 2PM

125 Route 340, Sparkill, NY 10976 www.stac.edu

The Commencement Program

POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE By Sir Edward William Elgar

INTRODUCTION

Margaret M. Fitzpatrick, S.C. President

THE NATIONAL ANTHEM

By Francis Scott Key Jacob William McCullough

INVOCATION

Daniel Cummings Director, Campus Ministry

WELCOME

Donald Riley Chairman, Board of Trustees

THE COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS

Jack Kopnisky President and Chief Executive Officer

Sterling Bancorp

PRESENTATION OF HONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENTS

Kevin M. Hallinan Doctor of Commercial Science

by Lanny Cohen

Member, Board of Trustees

Brian Wallach Doctor of Humane Letters

by Margaret M. Fitzpatrick, S.C.

PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES Robert Murray

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

CONFERRING OF DEGREES Margaret M. Fitzpatrick, S.C.

AWARDING OF DIPLOMAS SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

FOR THE DEGREES OF BACHELOR OF ARTS, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE, ASSOCIATE IN ARTS, AND ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE

Steven Burns, Dean Heath Bowen, Assistant Dean Stacy Sewell, Assistant Dean

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE

Michael J. Murphy, Dean

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION

Meenakshi Gajria, Dean

GRADUATE PROGRAMS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Michael J. Murphy, Dean

FOR THE DEGREES OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION, THE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN TEACHING, THE POST MASTERS PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE, AND THE CERTIFICATE OF ADVANCED STUDY

Elizabeth Finnegan, Director, Graduate Education

CONFERRING OF EMERITUS STATUS Gonzalo Plasencia

Professor Emeritus of Spanish By Steven Burns

John Rosko

Professor Emeritus of Biology By Steven Burns

Michael Shaw

Professor Emeritus of Education By Meenakshi Gajria

COMPLETION OF HONORS PROGRAM OF STUDY Ryan D. Wynne, Director

Shannon Justina Biehle, Lyndsay Brianne Borko, Sean Brodersen, Samantha Taylor Burden, Michael Anthony Cappabianca, Michael Alexander Catania, Joseph R. Cooper, Timothy Warren

Ehardt, Courtney Rochelle Gray, Lindsey Anne Heiberger, Brian Matthew Helft, Jenna M. Hutchins, Duncan Geofrey Kasibante, Breanna Alyssa Lyn, Theresa Marielle McKenna, Jessica Mizzi,

Christopher Anthony Panepinto, Victoria Irene Perrotta, Ileah Maria Pratt, Michelle Elizabeth Roux, Jacqueline Selvaggi, KC Shannen Sokolski, Brianna Jean Weaver

COMPLETION OF AQUINAS LEADERS PROGRAM Vin Crapanzano, Senior Vice President

Kelsey Carlyn Barnes

REMARKS FOR THE CLASS OF 2017 Kristina Mathisen, 2016 President, Student Government Association

Michelle Elizabeth Roux, President, Class of 2017

PRESENTATION OF THE CLASS SERVICE AWARDS Kirk A. Manning

Vice President and Dean for Student Development

GOLD KEY SERVICE AWARDS Akiel Cornileus Andrew

Yesica Frias Courtney Rochelle Gray Javier Munoz Laguna Victoria Irene Perrotta

Morghan Sonzogni Brianna Jean Weaver

SILVER KEY SERVICE AWARDS Kelsey Carlyn Barnes

Shannon Justina Biehle Samantha Taylor Burden Lindsey Anne Heiberger

Brian Matthew Helft Kristina Mathisen

Kaitlyn D. O'Grady Michelle Elizabeth Roux

PRESENTATION OF THE SPECIAL AWARDS Margaret M. Fitzpatrick, S.C.

THE TERENCE CARDINAL COOKE AWARD

Awarded annually to a student who has demonstrated outstanding and meritorious service.

Theresa Marielle McKenna

THE FRANCIS CARDINAL SPELLMAN AWARD Awarded annually for highest academic excellence in the

undergraduate program. Pierfrancesco Simonetti Melissa Ureña Castillo

THE SISTER REGINA ROSAIRE DOLAN AWARD Awarded annually for highest academic excellence in the

School of Education graduate program.

Jeanne Erika McVerry

BENEDICTION Rabbi Daniel Pernick

Campus Ministry

MUSIC PROVIDED BY The Imperial Brass Quintet

COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER

Jack Kopnisky President and Chief Executive Officer Sterling Bancorp

Jack Kopnisky currently serves as President and CEO of Sterling National Bank and Sterling Bancorp. Mr. Kopnisky brings to the Bank over three decades of experience in the banking and financial services industries. Mr. Kopnisky has a successful history of growing organizations and achieving results. His vision of growing Sterling Bancorp into a regional bank by becoming a leader in delivering superior service to owner-led businesses and families has yielded strong operating results. The company has grown from $3.2 billion in assets in 2011 to a projected $15 billion in assets. The company recently announced an acquisition of Astoria Bank which will take the company to approximately $30 billion in assets.

Sterling is ranked 36th in Forbes’s 2017 list of America’s Best Banks, up from 87th in 2016, reflecting the success of the bank’s growth strategy. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Kopnisky served as Chief Executive Officer of SJB Escrow Corporation, a $1.1 billion investment pool since 2009, and as a partner in Mercatus LLC, a national financial services consulting and investing firm, since 2008. From 2005 until 2008, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of First Marblehead Corporation, a provider of outsourcing services for private education lending. As CEO of First Marblehead, Mr. Kopnisky significantly restructured and repositioned the company, doubling revenues and earnings from 2005 to 2007. Before joining First Marblehead, Mr. Kopnisky held several top executive positions at KeyCorp. He was President of the Consumer Banking Group and CEO and President of KeyBank USA. Mr. Kopnisky held full P&L responsibilities for a $65 billion business portfolio and helped Key Corp build one of the largest branch networks in the United States. Mr. Kopnisky started his career with Pittsburgh National Bank (now PNC) with increasing management responsibilities in commercial and retail banking. Mr. Kopnisky serves on the Board of Trustees of St. Thomas Aquinas College, Summer Search of NYC and the Westchester County Association. He has chaired and served on many non-profit boards throughout his career focused on inner-city development and youth services. Mr. Kopnisky received his undergraduate degree from Grove City College. He also graduated from the Case Western Reserve Executive Program at the Weatherhead School of Business and the University of Delaware’s Stonier Banking School. Today, Mr. Jack Kopnisky will give the Commencement Address.

CONFERRING OF HONORARY DEGREES

Kevin M. Hallinan Senior Vice President, Major League Baseball, Retired

Kevin M. Hallinan has established a reputation in the sports industry and beyond as an innovator and a leader in professional sports security and operations. For over 20 years, he served as senior vice president of security and facility management for Major League Baseball (MLB). During his tenure working for the commissioner of baseball, Hallinan managed the full spectrum of security resources and programs for all 30 Major League Baseball Clubs, and counseled senior management in the identification and systemic remedial resolution of problems destined to protect the game, its players, and reputation. During his time with MLB, he was responsible for

professional player education programs, interaction with major law enforcement agencies in domestic and international areas, and security and crowd management planning, including all major special events, the World Series, the All Star Game, and International Games. He also consulted on behalf of the National Association of Minor League Baseball. During his career in MLB, he was included in USA Today on the list of “Baseball’s 50 Most Influential People.” Hallinan served as chairman of the TEAM Coalition in Washington, D.C., and as a board member of the Stadium Managers Association Council. He also is a member of the I.A.A.M. Security Safety Task Force, and the Police Executive Research Forum. He served on the board of directors of the Greater New York Council Law Enforcement Exploring Group, and was recently named an advisory board member of the Manhattanville College Sports Business Management Program. Hallinan is presently a board member at St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill, NY. He was the lead Security Consultant for Sports Illustrated at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. Hallinan also served as principal and executive vice president of Royal Diamond Security International, a security consulting firm, with clients that included Major League Soccer, Ski Industries of America, and several Universities and Colleges. Presently, Hallinan serves as a peer support officer for a non-profit organization committed to assisting police officers and their families dealing with crisis situations. Prior to his tenure with MLB, Hallinan served as co-commander of the F.B.I./NYPD Joint Terrorism Task Force. The director of the F.B.I. has cited him on four occasions for his contributions in the war on terrorism. He holds over 30 citations from the NYC Police Department, and has testified before the U.S. Congress on domestic terrorism and venue security. He received the U.S. Attorney General Award for Exceptional Public Service. Hallinan served as spokesperson for the Professional Sports Security Directors, organizing meetings with U.S. Homeland Security, sharing intelligence and information, which increased the knowledge and the awareness of security professionals in that challenging time. Hallinan conducted numerous investigations relative to due diligence and misconduct, deemed a threat to the integrity of baseball. He assumed overall responsibility for crowd control, alcohol, and emergency management at all MLB stadiums. Hallinan earned his undergraduate degree at Fordham University, graduated from the F.B.I. National Academy, and was awarded an Honorary Doctors of Laws Degree from Dominican College. He was honored by the National Center for Spectator Sports, Safety, and Security (University of Southern Mississippi) for his vision and commitment to excellence in cutting-edge sport security research, training, and education. He recently spent one week on campus working as part of the visiting faculty program at NYU-SCPS and has been asked to serve on the Preston Robert Tisch Center sports advisory board.

Today, Mr. Kevin M. Hallinan will receive the Honorary Doctor of Commercial Science degree from St. Thomas Aquinas College.

CONFERRING OF HONORARY DEGREES

Brian Wallach Insurance Agent & Community Activist Mr. Brian Wallach is a lifetime resident of Westchester County, New York. A graduate of White Plains High School, Mr. Wallach has been an insurance broker since 1949, in the fields of commercial, life, pensions, property, and casualty insurance. He founded and was President of the Brian Wallach Agency, Inc., and currently serves as advisor for the firm. Mr. Wallach holds a Life Underwriter Training Counsel degree and is a charter member and past President of the White Plains Association of Insurance Agents. He has received National Quality Awards for continuous quality life and health insurance production, a Man of the Year Award from the National Association of Life Underwriters, Westchester Division, the Ernest Meyers Memorial Award, and the Frederick H. Dayton Award for outstanding achievement and service to the Independent Property Brokers of Westchester. He was awarded the Fred E. Hamilton Award by the National Association

of Life Underwriters, Westchester Division. In addition to his successful professional career, Mr. Wallach has devoted much of his life to serving his community. He is a founder of The Westchester Lighthouse, Inc., and hosted a weekly radio interview program called “Spotlight on Westchester” on WFAS from 1966-1972. He has served as Trustee on many Boards including Downtown Music at Grace Church, Inc., the George Washington Carver Center and the Windward School, where he also served as President of the Board of Directors. He was appointed to the Compensation Advisory Board by the Westchester County Board of Legislators. He was the founder and first President of the White Plains Beautification Foundation and was recognized for 50 years of service in 2015. He has served for 40 years on the White Plains Commission of Human Rights and continues to serve on the North Broadway Citizens Association, where he served as President for four years. Mr. Wallach is the former Vice President of the Institute for Socioeconomic Studies and was appointed in 1961 by Governor Nelson Rockefeller to the Governor’s Committee on “Employ the Handicapped”. He was a charter member and past President of the White Plains Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees). In 1965 he was elected to the Jaycees International Senate, a lifetime designation. Mr. Wallach received the Jaycees New York State Distinguished Service Award in 1962. Mr. Wallach has received many awards and honors for his civic engagement, including an Honorary Doctoral Degree in Commercial Science from Pace University in 1988. He was made a life member of the White Plains Family YMCA, and he and his wife, Beth, received the YMCA’s Community Service Award. The White Plains Historical Society presented Mr. and Mrs. Wallach with the Citizen Extraordinaire Award, and he was inducted into the White Plains High School Hall of Fame in 1997. He was The Salvation Army’s honoree in 2016, and was named a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International. Mr. Wallach lost his eyesight in 1954 at age 25. In 1959 he married Beth Kakerbeck, and they have two children, Jennifer and Todd, and five grandchildren. Mr. Wallach enjoys swimming, having swam across the Hudson River for charity, ice skating, cross-country skiing, and riding a tandem bike. Today, Mr. Brian Wallach will receive the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from St. Thomas Aquinas College.

THE CLASS OF 2017

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Mayadah Alkhawam General Christopher N. Antonecchia Finance Mark Fraz Bhatti Finance Alexis Briana Breheny Finance With Distinction Michelle D. Connolly Management With Distinction Benjamin Jake Ermann Marketing With Distinction Adriana Marie Fox Finance With Distinction

Raymond Daniel Griffiss Finance With Distinction Tamara Noor Ireifej Finance With Distinction Conrad D. Lauture Finance John Henry Legg Finance Roberto Aramis Lopez Finance Genevieve A. Nani General Kerrianne Elizabeth Nolan Finance With Distinction

George Daniel Plvan, III General With Distinction Mary Preap Finance With Distinction Domenico Rocchio Finance With Distinction Jason A. Scretching Management With Distinction Erica Marie Volpe Finance With Distinction Danielle Marie Young Marketing Stefanie Marie Gomez Zuniga General

POST MASTERS PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE IN EDUCATION

Catherine Ann Scholl Special Education

Donna Marie Smith Special Education

CERTIFICATE OF ADVANCED STUDY IN EDUCATION

Amanda Christine Duffy Teacher Leadership

Alexandra Rose Graziano

Autism

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION

Sara Renee Cahill Literacy With Distinction Julia Rose Caruso Special Education Amanda Theresa Cummings Literacy With Distinction Natalie Jane DiCola Special Education Jourdan Ashley Doherty Literacy Sarah Marie Favata Literacy Alexandra Rose Graziano Literacy Bridget Anne Humphrey Special Education

Caitlin Kant Special Education Helen Karounis Literacy Samantha Marie Lanaro Literacy Kaitlyn Elizabeth Lonergan Special Education With Distinction Marie McManus Educational Leadership With Distinction Jeanne Erika McVerry Literacy With Distinction Adrienne Therese O'Sullivan Literacy With Distinction Kelley L. Parker Educational Leadership

Angela Maria Santoro Special Education Samantha Kristen Scherer Educational Leadership With Distinction Garry A. Schragenheim Educational Leadership Julianne Skrapits Special Education With Distinction Brian Paul Tortora Special Education/Autism Richard Anthony Wilhelm III Literacy With Distinction Marissa Denise Zito Special Education With Distinction

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN TEACHING Alysha Rose Bartunek Art Education Students with Disabilities With Distinction Sean G. Campbell Adolescence Education Students with Disabilities Social Studies With Distinction Rachel Curcio Childhood/Special Education Tina Marie DeStaso Childhood/Special Education With Distinction Alaina Gach Adolescence Education Students with Disabilities/English With Distinction

Christopher Gerard Haggarty Childhood/Special Education With Distinction Danielle Elizabeth Imbarrato Adolescence Education Students with Disabilities/English With Distinction Jaclyn Danielle Levine Adolescence Education Students with Disabilities/Biology With Distinction Daniel Longarino Childhood/Special Education With Distinction Meghan R. McDonough Art Education Students with Disabilities With Distinction

Courtney Patricia McGrath Childhood/Special Education Breanna McMullen Art Education Students with Disabilities With Distinction Christina Roche Childhood/Special Education With Distinction Samantha Rose Silberman Adolescence Education Students with Disabilities/English With Distinction Philip Andrew Umbrino Adolescence Education/English With Distinction

BACHELOR OF ARTS

Keila Ayala English Lyndsay Brianne Borko Communication Arts Magna Cum Laude Sean Brodersen History/Criminal Justice Cum Laude Jessica Valeria Carchichabla-Tixi Spanish/Adolescence Education Quinton Elijah-Groves Chambers Communication Arts Thomas John Clifford Communication Arts Eva Rebecca Cochran Visual Art Nicholas Paul DeGiorgio Communication Arts Deven Vincent Del Priore Communication Arts Michael Charles DeMartino, Jr. Communication Arts Esly Analiz Diaz Philosophy & Religious Studies Isaira M. Dominguez Spanish Summa Cum Laude Lila Elizabeth Ench Communication Arts Laura Isabel Faraone Art Therapy Erik Marco Feldi History

Jennifer Gail Franze English/Adolescence Education Cum Laude Robert Sayar Glisson History Marissa Taylor Grieco Communication Arts Cum Laude Amy Grace Gumberg Art Therapy Kateri Rose Heaney History Cum Laude Alexander Henning Creative Writing Kelley-Michelle Hyatt Creative Writing Cum Laude Emily Anna Kopac Communication Arts Katrina Kuan Art Therapy Gabrielle Ann LaFata Art Therapy Nicole Marie Lynch Communication Arts Nicole Lynn Manire History Summa Cum Laude Kristina Mathisen Art/Art Education Kristen E. McDermott Art Therapy

Harut Minasian Philosophy & Religious Studies Summa Cum Laude Jessica Mizzi Creative Writing Summa Cum Laude Kelly Irene Monzon Art Therapy Tatiana Narvaez Spanish Brendon Padilla-Camacho Communication Arts Briana Peralta Spanish/Adolescence Education Hailey Nicole Robertson Communication Arts Luke William Rodzel English Kristina Marie Rose Art Therapy Stephen John Saulpaugh Communication Arts Destinee Soto History Samantha Soto Communication Arts Dennis Torres Communication Arts Lindsey Velasquez Communication Arts Edwards Franz Verna Philosophy & Religious Studies Sean Zachary Wilson Communication Arts

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE

Hadiza Abba Marketing Travis Abelard Criminal Justice Ashley Acocella Psychology Juan Orlando Adorno Business Administration Amanda Theresa Agro Marketing Jessica Alba Psychology Julia Christina Almodovar Psychology Christal Jeanine Almonte Criminal Justice Akiel Cornileus Andrew Psychology Melissa Ariza Social Sciences Christian Arteaga Business Administration John Aviles Management Cum Laude Amir Baratali Criminal Justice Kelsey Carlyn Barnes Mathematics Summa Cum Laude Anthony Barrella Sport Management Michael Thomas Baum Marketing John Bednarek Computer Science Andrew J. Bell Psychology

Michael Aaron Berezin Natural Sciences Magna Cum Laude Melissa Catherine Berke Criminal Justice Rachel Anne Biancardi Therapeutic Recreation Shannon Justina Biehle Management Joseph William Boland Sport Management Daniel John Borges Sport Management Katherine Borriello Psychology Andrew J. Brellis Marketing Alyson Brennan Sport Management Paula Jasmine Broadie Accounting Edward William Brown Finance Justin Emmanuel Brown Business Administration Samantha Taylor Burden Marketing Magna Cum Laude Leslie Caba Psychology Alexa Caggiano Therapeutic Recreation Andrew Michael Cairo Computer Science Courtney Marie Calise Sport Management Jonathan Alexander Campana Sport Management Richard Winslow Cant Psychology

Michael Anthony Cappabianca Accounting Summa Cum Laude Kenneth Ervin Caraballo Criminal Justice Rachel Carrillo Psychology/Criminal Justice Joseph Michael Casanovas Sport Management Michael Alexander Catania Criminal Justice Cum Laude Paul Choe Criminal Justice Nathaniel William Ciganek Computer Science Kalynn Marie Cleary Psychology Ethan Cohen Psychology Erin Maxine Colgan Visual Communications in Graphic Design Magna Cum Laude Joseph R. Cooper Biology Cum Laude Ashley Coriolan Accounting Zachary Lawrence Cucolo Criminal Justice Aaron Cust Management Bridget Sophia Darby Psychology Gregory Wayne Dawber Accounting William Michael Decker Visual Communications in Graphic Design Cum Laude

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE

Raven Ashley DeLeon Biology Megan Rose DeZerga Psychology Cum Laude Kristina Marie DiMaulo Criminal Justice Joyce Donatelli Business Administration Matthew C. Dottino Criminal Justice Megan Rose Dwyer Psychology Timothy Warren Ehardt Accounting Summa Cum Laude Esther Jerome Ekang Biology Nicholas Elian Biology Daniel Brian Eller Criminal Justice Erinne Jane Evangelist Marketing Justin Ezell Therapeutic Recreation Marc Faraone Mathematics Robert J. Fay Criminal Justice Megan Finnen Biology Carmen Rose Firenze Criminal Justice Brandon Tyler Fischer Management Diane France Mathematics/Adolescence Education Cum Laude

Jorge Francisco Business Administration Yesica Frias Psychology Devan Marie Gadevaia Criminal Justice Rosario Gaggi Accounting Aileen Garcia Management Nicholas Joseph Gargan Marketing Jerron A. Garrett Criminal Justice Ryan Matthew Gasser Sport Management Kevin Thomas Gately Management Jimson George Management Abraham Suraj Gill Biochemistry Magna Cum Laude Alexandria Victoria Ginnane Social Sciences Courtney Rochelle Gray Psychology Summa Cum Laude Tannen D. Grgecic Criminal Justice Elizabeth Ashley Hackett Psychology Briana Nicole Hector Accounting Lindsey Anne Heiberger Mathematics Summa Cum Laude Brian Matthew Helft Accounting Magna Cum Laude

Luis Armando Hernandez Marketing Luis Geovanni Hernandez Management Mariluz Hernandez Psychology Michael Patrick Hines Criminal Justice Tristan Holmgren Sport Management Jonathan Lawrence Huber Criminal Justice Jenna M. Hutchins Psychology Summa Cum Laude Marc Arthur Hyppolite Computer Science Ryan Axl Iacobellis Biology Missel Infante Psychology Danielle Renee Jabara Psychology Jacqueline Elizabeth Jacinto Social Sciences Marissa Alaina Johnson Natural Sciences Magna Cum Laude Tyler Jason Joles Sport Management Michael Vincent Jones Business Administration Keithania Joseph Management Stephen Kasamis Sport Management Duncan Geofrey Kasibante Biochemistry Cum Laude Clifford Patrick Keenan, Jr. Psychology

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE

Kyle Kelly Sport Management Sean Kennedy Sport Management Jumana Mohamad Khatib Biology Ashley M. Kimkowski Business Administration Tiana Essence Kirkland Sport Management Donna Heather Klippel Psychology Colin E. Kochakian Criminal Justice Matthew Kostalos Sport Management Nicholas Kostik Social Sciences/Adolescence Education Ashley Yvonne Lara Psychology Justin T. Lawrence Computer Science Jennifer Ledesma Criminal Justice Sonia Patricia Ligeiro Biology Jamer Alexander Linares Psychology Alyssa Marie Lombardo Forensic Science Bahar Lowrance Criminal Justice Summa Cum Laude Daniel Alexander Luludis Psychology Breanna Alyssa Lyn Biochemistry Harrison Malc Psychology

Anthony Manocchio Accounting Gabriella Marano Accounting Shannon Dorothy Martin Psychology Summa Cum Laude Annette Martinez Liberal Arts & Sciences Natacha Del Rosario Martinez Management Ruth A. Martinez Psychology Eileen Geralyn Mastrovito Social Sciences Daniel Maysonet Biology Brendan McCormack Management Kaitlyn Mary McCue Sport Management Jacob William McCullough Psychology Kristin Victoria McGrath Social Sciences Jonathan McGugan Sport Management Theresa Marielle McKenna Visual Communications in Graphic Design Summa Cum Laude Stephen R. McNiff Accounting Sean Patrick Meigh Visual Communications in Graphic Design Lauren Marie Melville Therapeutic Recreation

Jay Rafael Mendez Accounting Diana Mendoza Criminal Justice Caitlin Danielle Mertz Psychology Nicholas Vito Minunni Biology Paige Lauren Montillo Marketing Steven Mora Criminal Justice Crystal Linda Mujica Psychology Patrick Robert Mullins Criminal Justice Alexa Lynn Munderville Mathematics Javier Munoz Laguna Biology Magna Cum Laude Frank T. Muraca Marketing David Brian Murray Sport Management Paige Catherine Murray Criminal Justice George Maximilian Navadel Sport Management Patricia Anne Nersten Mathematics Cum Laude Brianna Janay Nicolas Criminal Justice Kaitlyn D. O'Grady Biology Anthony Ortiz Arboleda Criminal Justice

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE

Erick Jose Oyola Moran Accounting Christopher Anthony Panepinto Mathematics/Adolescence Education Summa Cum Laude Agin Paul Accounting Steven Robert Paulus Biology Magna Cum Laude Joseph Robert Pavone Criminal Justice Stephanie Pereira Marketing John Richard Perri Sport Management Victoria Irene Perrotta Finance Magna Cum Laude Vajeha Mahak Pervez Biology Richard Matthew Petro Sport Management Joseph Pichiarallo, III Sport Management Samantha Brooke Piehler Visual Communications in Graphic Design Bridget Elizabeth Pietrantuono Educational Studies Travis Powell Criminal Justice Thomas Joseph Prendergast Criminal Justice Sean Ryan Reagan-Ward Psychology Danielle Nicole Regan Educational Studies Arianna Alexis Riollano Marketing Daniel Luis Rivas Criminal Justice Pamela Maria Rodriguez Sport Management

Hilario Augustin Rodriguez Torres Computer Science Tarice Rogers Business Administration Stephanie Marie Roman Therapeutic Recreation Henry Oscar Romero Psychology Astride Sierra Rosarion Criminal Justice Erin Mary Rostkowski Criminal Justice Megan Rostkowski Criminal Justice Michelle Elizabeth Roux Mathematics/Adolescence Education Summa Cum Laude Robert Rueda Biology Randy Rueda Biology Pamela Julissa Ruiz Management Margarito Samayoa Ortega Computer Science Summa Cum Laude James Sanchez Accounting Olivia Saunders Criminal Justice Tara Davis Schron Social Sciences Magna Cum Laude Nicholas A. Scialabba Criminal Justice Jacqueline Selvaggi Psychology Summa Cum Laude John Michael Sgombick Marketing Tara Rose Shannon Psychology Jaritsa Sierra Social Sciences

Bianca Lynn Signore Marketing Pierfrancesco Simonetti Finance Summa Cum Laude Chad Richard Sinko Marketing Julia Rose Solazzo Social Sciences Freddy Joany Sosa Psychology Julie Sosnicki Psychology Jessica Stokkeland Therapeutic Recreation Alyssa Strazemski Psychology Lyncee Ann Stroman Criminal Justice Magna Cum Laude Daniel William Sullivan Finance Aidan Gerald Tansey Sport Management Linda Thomas Psychology Jessica Veronica Thompson Psychology Mariely Urena Management Melissa Ureña Castillo Therapeutic Recreation Summa Cum Laude Nasia Marie Vega Criminal Justice Meaghan Ventarola Criminal Justice Samuel Stephen Vincenzo Sport Management Travis Jean Volpe Criminal Justice Brandon David Von Holt Sport Management

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE

Alexis Mikaella Wallace Psychology Jamie Lynn Walsh Social Sciences Annalise Warren Sport Management Chaz Watler Accounting

Brianna Jean Weaver Psychology Summa Cum Laude Brendan Matthew Weigel Mathematics Lauren Ashley Widman Accounting

Rachel Wizman Therapeutic Recreation Magna Cum Laude Anthony Joseph Yaccarine Sport Management Campbell Stephen Zicchino Sport Management Nicole Alyssa Zoccali Marketing

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION

Amanda Marie Bohlmann Childhood/Special Education/English Juliana Marie Brown Childhood Education/Mathematics Ilana Nathalie Cabrera Childhood/Special Education Social Science Victoria Grace Celenza Childhood Education/English Taylor Alexa Coneglio Childhood Education/English Magna Cum Laude Shannon Kristie Davin Childhood Education/Social Science Summa Cum Laude Stephanie Barbara DeCoro Childhood Education/English Magna Cum Laude Erin Kathleen Doyle Childhood Education/English Magna Cum Laude

Rachel Gordon Childhood Education/Mathematics Jade Bianca Lall Childhood Education/English Brittany Marie Lehner Childhood Education/History Keri Anne McGuinness Childhood Education/English Magna Cum Laude Kayla Rose Meyer Early Childhood/Childhood Education English Nikolette Taylor Nevola Childhood Education/Mathematics Angela Catherine O'Brien Childhood Education/Spanish Kaitlynn J. O'Neill Childhood/Special Education/English Ileah Maria Pratt Childhood/Special Education/Spanish Summa Cum Laude

Samantha Kristine Quispe Childhood Education/English Tina Ramon-Cardona Childhood/Special Education/English Summa Cum Laude Matea Shuto Childhood Education/Mathematics Magna Cum Laude Jessica Ann Silva Childhood/Special Education Mathematics Magna Cum Laude Gabriela Antoinette Sloezen Childhood Education/Mathematics KC Shannen Sokolski Childhood/Special Education Social Science Summa Cum Laude Morghan Sonzogni Childhood Education/English Cum Laude Ryan Bymes Wilhelm Childhood Education/History Magna Cum Laude

ASSOCIATE IN ARTS

Eileen Edgerton Humanities & Social Science

The audience is requested to stand during the Academic Procession, and to remain in place until all participants in the Academic Recession following the Exercises have left.

ALMA MATER written by the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill

Lead us safely Alma Mater Through the tumult of the world Prove a citadel and shield us With the truths that you’ve unfurled. Chorus To St. Thomas sing our anthem Let the mighty portals hold Echoes ringing our allegiance In refrain our trust is told. Yours is spirit never dying Radiant Scion of great love Yours is courage never fading With a wisdom from above.

Academic Heraldry

The caps, gowns, and hoods worn at college and university functions date back to the Middle Ages. The hood gives color and distinction to the academic costume. The hood--a black shell-like affair of varying size for the three degrees -- is lined, stressing the colors of the institution conferring the degree. The hood is then bordered with velvet (2” for Bachelor’s hood, 3” for Master’s and 5” for Doctor’s) of the color signifying the respective fields of learning. The College President will wear St. Thomas Aquinas College’s academic regalia. Maroon and gold are the St. Thomas Aquinas colors. Some of the institutional colors to be seen at this academic ceremony are: Boston University, scarlet and white; Catholic University, lemon yellow with white chevron; University of Chicago, maroon and white; City University of New York, blue and orange; Columbia, light blue with white chevron; Fordham, maroon; George Washington University, lemon yellow and dark blue; Harvard, crimson; New York University, violet; Notre Dame University, gold and blue; Ohio State, scarlet and gray; St. John’s University, bright red with white chevron; The University of Pennsylvania, red and blue; The University of the State of New York, purple and gold; Yale University, blue. The student population at St. Thomas Aquinas College is becoming increasingly diverse and multi-cultural. Symbolizing that diversity, today’s candidates for degrees will carry the flags of several other nations to join the flag of the United States on the Commencement stage. Flags typically carried at commencement are as follows (other flags may be flown that were not included on this list as of press time): Bahamas, Canada, Chile, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Morocco, Northern Ireland, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Scotland, Slovakia, Spain, Trinidad, and the United Kingdom. These international banners represent the homelands of various members of the graduating class and students at the College.

Latin Honors for Academic Performance Like most colleges and universities, St. Thomas Aquinas College observes the great tradition of recognizing students who have an overall record of high academic achievement by granting what many call “Latin Honors” on commencement day. To be so honored, students must have earned 60 credits or more at St. Thomas Aquinas College, have never received any grade lower than a C, and have the appropriate Grade Point Average for the level of honors. The Academic Honors Cum Laude (With Honor) means the student is graduating with an overall Grade Point Average of 3.50 or higher. Magna Cum Laude (With High Honor) means the student is graduating with an overall Grade Point Average of 3.65 or higher. Summa Cum Laude (With Highest Honor) means the student is graduating with an overall Grade Point Average of 3.80 or higher.

St. Thomas has expanded its offerings to include a Master of Science in Education, a Master of Science in Teaching, and a Post Masters Certificate in Education. The College offers a Master of Business Administration program, including an Online MBA program, a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Science in Education, and an Associate of Arts and an Associate of Science degree, the latter two offered at the United States Military Academy at West Point. St. Thomas is also the host for a Master of Science in Social Work offered by New York University. The College enrolls 2,800 full and part time students. Undergraduates enroll in over 100 programs offered in three schools: The School of Arts & Sciences; The School of Business; and The School of Education. The College offers a 70% tuition scholarship Honors Program which provides students with a Summer Study experience at Oxford University in England. In addition, there are several study abroad opportunities and strategic alliances designed to offer expanded opportunities for students. St. Thomas offers study abroad in Ireland, Italy, Hungary, France, Spain, Canada, England, Brazil and Japan. The College's 60-acre campus includes modern buildings and classrooms. The College’s newest administrative and academic building, Borelli Hall, features state-of-the-art classrooms, faculty offices for business and education, and executive offices. In Spring 2013, the College completed construction on the Spartan Athletic complex. This facility hosts our women’s softball, lacrosse and men’s and women’s soccer. ST. THOMAS AQUINAS COLLEGE MISSION St. Thomas Aquinas College is an independent liberal arts college, which provides education at the undergraduate and graduate levels for students from all traditions. In continuing its Catholic heritage and the spirit of its founders, the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill, the College is committed to the principle of enlightening the mind through truth, as exemplified by Thomas Aquinas, and to the Classical and Judeo-Christian ideals which have contributed to the development of humanity. Accordingly, the College is dedicated to the development of each student consistent with the individual's resolve to work and ability to achieve. Consistent with its commitments, the College requires each undergraduate to attain a broad foundation in the liberal arts and sciences. The College provides a range of undergraduate majors and graduate programs to assist students to prepare for careers or for further education through a sharper focus in a major field of study. The College creates a welcoming, caring and challenging environment for learning. Intensely student-centered academic activities and vigorous student-life programs are purposefully combined to enhance the educational process and to foster intellectual, moral, social and spiritual growth. Within this environment, St. Thomas Aquinas College assists each student in the effort to develop as an articulate and independent member of society, who uses a reasoned approach to all issues, who strives to become a responsible citizen and leader in shaping the diverse world community, who lives in a manner exemplifying the principles of service, mutual respect, and individual responsibility, and who appreciates the value of learning as a life-long endeavor. The College Seal The Dominican Sisters adopted as the College motto: “Illuminare Mentem Per Veritatem”—“To Enlighten the Mind Through Truth.” For its escutcheon, they used the shield of the Dominicans overlaid with a smaller shield containing symbols related to St. Thomas and the Dominican Order. The torch symbolized the light of truth; the sunburst reflects the great light spread by St. Thomas: the star symbolizes the radiance that shone from St. Dominic; and the crown is emblematic of the Queen of the Holy Rosary. Since 1952, St. Thomas Aquinas College has been serving the needs of the community by providing advanced education in the liberal arts tradition. Within the framework of our Judeo-Christian values, we have striven for an atmosphere of mutual understanding, concern, and cooperation. Today, as we celebrate Commencement, we reflect on our heritage and our dynamic growth, which that heritage has inspired.