The 45th annual commencement ceremony took place on Friday, May 19, 2017 at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, NY.
Degrees were conferred upon nearly 1,100 graduating seniors. The event featured the music of Purchase faculty member Joe Ferry and the Big Ska Band, which created a unique experience that reflects the school’s culture.
This year’s honorary degree recipients were men and women who have made significant contributions to cultural and civic life, including Former Mayor David N. Dinkins, Pulitzer Prize-winning art critic for The New York Times Holland Cotter, and cultural leader Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel.
Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Regina Spektor ’01 received the President’s Award for Distinguished Alumni.
Cody La Vada, a multi-disciplinary artist, writer, and educator on transgender and LGBTQ issues, offered remarks on behalf of the senior class.
www.purchase.edu/commencement/