 
2008 CSI Graduating Class Shows Diversity,
Resilience
2,376 earn degrees; Willowbrook
school officially names its third president
Staten Island Advance - Friday, May 30, 2008
 The 2,376 proud College of Staten Island graduates who flipped the
tassels on their black mortarboards yesterday morning shared their
day with another major milestone -- the Investiture of Dr. Tomas D.
Morales, who was formally installed as the college's third
president.
 After the ceremony, which was held on the Great Lawn of the
Willowbrook campus, Morales told the graduates, "As my first
official act, I say to you, the graduating class of 2008,
congratulations! You are the greatest!"
The ceremony included an exercise that illustrated the diversity and
resilience of the student body. One by one, groups of graduates were
asked to stand if they fit into particular categories. First came
those who were first in the family to earn a college degree; then
came those who held a full- or part-time job while attending
college. Several grandparents stood up when called, as well as a
large group who stood to signify they plan to continue on to
graduate or professional school. Students who cared for their
children while taking classes also were singled out.
 "Each of you has a separate story how you came here," Morales said.
"There was no set itinerary. Each of you made your own way. And in
doing so, you've left a mark on CSI.
Student speaker Hal Harris related his experiences teaching in South
Africa, and stressed his passion for learning. "Education has the
power to change lives, whether in a candle-lit shack in Cape Town or
a crowded apartment in New York City," he said.
He lauded the graduates for their perseverance and hard work. "We
have all worked one, and in many cases, two jobs in pursuit of our
education, knowing our hard work would eventually make for a better
tomorrow.
"We, the Class of 2008, will not just go out and change the world,
we will do it together."
Said Morales, "Through your work, through your devotion, you have
made a CSI degree a goal to be desired and an achievement to be
respected.
"You've taken, and you've given to our school. You're part of our
history. You are here at precisely the right moment. That moment can
be summed up in one simple sentence: This is a great time to be a
CSI graduate."
U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer congratulated the parents of the grads,
recalling that his own daughter's graduation was "one of the
proudest and most emotional moments" of his life.
"Now, all the sudden, you watch your son, you watch your daughter
become an adult," he said. "Congratulations, moms and dads. You have
made it."
Rep. Anthony Weiner also addressed students.
  An honorary Doctor of Human Letters degree was conferred,
posthumously, upon Harry Doherty, who was Chairman & CEO of SI Bank
& Trust before his death in February. An honorary Doctor of Letters
degree was presented to Michael Shugrue, whose Shugrue Cultural
Development Fund offers students free access to world-class
musicians, artists and writers.
By Maura Yates
Reprinted here with permission
from the
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