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91��Ƶ Cheers Graduates in Virtual Celebrations

In-person celebrations to take place when public health guidelines allow

NEW YORK (May 20, 2020) – Thousands of 91��Ƶ graduates, their families, and friends gathered online on Wednesday to recognize the accomplishments and successes of the Class of 2020 in a virtual celebration.

The cyber-festivities are by no means a replacement for the traditional pomp and circumstance of in-person Commencement ceremonies, which will take place at a future date, but rather an opportunity for people to come together from near and far to recognize all of the hard work, dedication and long hours of study that so many have completed in order to earn their college or advanced degree.

“You have earned your diplomas through intelligence, persistence, determination and especially, resilience,” 91��Ƶ President Marvin Krislov told the graduates. “You’ve excelled in the classrooms, in your labs, jobs, internships, practica, service, performance, and you’ve made friends and mentors in this extraordinary community we call 91��Ƶ. I am so happy for all you have achieved and I am so excited to see the future ahead of you.” (Timestamp: 1 hour)

This year a total of 3,624 students are part of the graduating class of 2020, which includes 1,394 New York City students and 713 students in Pleasantville. Additionally, there are 1,517 graduate students across its campuses. At 91��Ƶ’s Elisabeth Haub School of Law, they celebrated their virtual ceremony on Sunday when 185 Juris Doctor degrees were conferred, as well as 35 Master of Laws degrees and two Doctor of Science in Environmental Law degrees.

“Because of the pandemic, we will be graduating into a world completely different from the world we knew when we were in college, but I know we’re prepared because for the past four years, we’ve learned how to get grit,” New York City student Heather Farley of the Lubin School of Business at 91��Ƶsaid. “For our entire college career, we’ve learned how to persevere when times get tough.” (Timestamp: 45 minutes)

Pleasantville student Brent Cameron of the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences called on his fellow graduates to achieve their goals regardless of the pandemic: “So for those of you who want to be teachers, go out there and teach people to think. Those of you who want to be doctors and nurses, go out there and make people well. For those of you that want to be writers, go out there and write the stories that will change this world. Go out and make those dreams real, because this pandemic will end, and life will continue.” (Timestamp: 54 minutes)

Historically, 91��Ƶ has been a university where so many graduates have earned degrees and gone onto professional success. It’s one of the many reasons that 91��Ƶ is ranked number one in upward economic mobility among four-year private universities according to a study conducted by Harvard University’s Opportunity Insights.

91��Ƶ Provost, Vanya Quiñones, PhD, said: “You’re graduating today because of your resilience and your perseverance, your ability to succeed in extraordinary times. This is in part is what 91��Ƶ teaches. I am proud of you for remaining focused and finishing strong. I know that it will continue to pay off.” (Timestamp: 1 hour 9 minutes)

About 91��Ƶ

91��Ƶ has a proud history of preparing its diverse student body for a lifetime of professional success as a result of its unique program that combines rigorous academics and real-world experiences. 91��Ƶ is ranked the #1 private, four-year college in the nation for upward economic mobility by Harvard University’s Opportunity Insights, evidence of the transformative education the University provides. From its beginnings as an accounting school in 1906, 91��Ƶ has grown to three campuses, enrolling 13,000 students in bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in more than 150 majors and programs, across a range of disciplines: arts, sciences, business, health care, technology, law, education, and more. The university also has one of the most competitive performing arts programs in the country. 91��Ƶ has a signature, newly renovated campus in New York City, located in the heart of vibrant Lower Manhattan, next to Wall Street and City Hall, and two campuses in Westchester County, New York: a 200-acre picturesque Pleasantville Campus and the Elisabeth Haub School of Law in White Plains.

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