On Tuesday, December 19, 2023, Farmingdale State College (FSC) was proud to hold its 21st Annual Winter Commencement Exercises in the Nold Hall Athletic Complex.
The Class of Winter 2023 was joined in celebration by FSC President John S. Nader, PhD, College Council Chair Patricia Hill Williams, EdD, Professor Martin Lewison as master of ceremonies, Professor Henry Bojack as grand marshal, the President's Cabinet, FSC faculty and staff, in addition to parents, family, and friends.
This December, FSC proudly conferred over 760 degrees:
- Advanced Certificates: 20
- Associates: 88
- Bachelors: 649
- Masters: 5
In his commencement address, President Nader noted the morning ceremony marked the culmination of an extraordinary college experience that included 50 new faculty members, nine new degree programs, expanded student scholarships, a new and highly competitive E-sports program, a student emergency fund, new internship opportunities and business partnerships, millions invested in campus renovations, upgraded residence halls, and expanded student engagement.
“When the State University of New York was founded over 70 years ago, its initial motto was, ‘Let each become all they are capable of,’” said President Nader. “It spoke to the true mission of public higher education. At a time when many are questioning the value of a college degree, Farmingdale State College really stands out. I want to say today, before all of you, that these students and this College are examples of all that is RIGHT about public higher education. Our graduates are the personification of that original SUNY ideal.”
“We know you will do us proud and make important contributions to your field, your community, and the region,” said Dr. Hill. “Farmingdale has prepared you well. I hope you will always think as fondly of Farmingdale as we do of you.”
During his remarks, President Nader described the path to graduation of several students, highlighting their accomplishments and the obstacles they overcame, as “testimonials both to the motivation of our students and to the dedication of those who aided them along their path to their degrees,” he said.
“Collectively these stories reveal that FSC students really are different in the challenges they face, and the drive they exhibit,” said President Nader. “They are more likely to commute and to work and to help support family members. They excel at applying what they’ve learned at Farmingdale, and they often do all of this while serving the broader community. Graduates, you have persisted, and you have succeeded. Your stories and experiences are nothing short of inspiring.”
Winter Class of 2023 Valedictorian Kyle Young ’23, a business management major, shared his “unique” path to graduation, which included being drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies Minor League Baseball organization. But after five amazing years, injuries, surgery, and mental health struggles led him to “make the tough decision to walk away from the game I love,” and start his college journey at FSC.
“We made it to the finish line,” Young said to his fellow graduates. “A lot of us had to sacrifice to get here. Balancing education with a need to work is no easy task, but we did it. We never know where life will take us, so never lose hope. Don’t be afraid to fail, instead fail often and fail forward. Write your story, make it beautiful, and appreciate the people around you,” he added.
“The stories of these students and hundreds more are united principally by their persistent effort to become -- better. Better people, better citizens, better prepared for the world ahead. Something to which we can all aspire,” President Nader concluded. “In that sense, the College will continue to emulate its students and work in the years ahead to become, like the Class of Winter 2023, even better.”
View more photos from the 2023 Winter Commencement Exercises on our Flickr Gallery.
View the video from the 2023 Winter Commencement Exercises on YouTube.
View the 2023 Winter Commencement Program here.
