Cayuga Honors Class of 2024 with Commencement at Falcon Park

Cayuga Community College celebrated its Class of 2024 on Wednesday, with College leaders recognizing graduates for their accomplishments and encouraging them to achieve their full potential in the following years.

Cayuga leaders, faculty and staff joined family and friends of the Class of 2024 at Falcon Park in Auburn for the ceremony, which marks the third year the College has featured the facility at Commencement.

College President Dr. Brian Durant and Board of Trustees Chair Tony Franceschelli urged graduates to be proud of their accomplishments at Cayuga, and to use those achievements as a building block to overcome future challenges.

“As you look forward, many of you may already know what you are going to do next. Some may still be waiting for an opportunity to emerge. Time will sort that out and the right opportunity will present itself,” said Dr. Durant. “When it does, approach it with the zeal and determination you showed at Cayuga. Do that, and more successes and milestones will be in your future.”

“Determining where you should go, and what you should do, is never easy. As a Cayuga alum myself, I know that daunting feeling as you answer the question of what comes next,” said Franceschelli. “When that question faces you in the years ahead, think about what you’ve accomplished here. Don’t doubt yourself and your depth of talent. Be confident in who you are, what you’ve done, and what you will do."

Graduates earned Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and Associate in Applied Science degrees and certificates from the 32 degree programs and 10 certificate programs available at Cayuga.

Student speakers for the ceremony were Adam Birtwell, who earned an Associate in Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences: Humanities and Social Sciences, and Lucy Noble, who earned an Associate in Applied Science in Nursing. Kayleigh Stayton, who graduated with an Associate in Science in Studio Art and Design, was the student vocalist.

Class Marshals were Analysa Landes, who graduated with an Associate in Science in Health Sciences with a concentration in Radiation Therapy, and Helena Schmidt, who graduated with an Associate in Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences: Humanities and Social Sciences with a concentration in Psychology.

Graduates Nathanael Hand and Zach Ingersoll were recognized for receiving the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence. Hand earned an Associate in Applied Science in Media Arts: Audio Production: Music Production Option, and Ingersoll earned an Associate in Applied Science in Business Administration.

The College also celebrated employees who received awards this semester. Retired Professor Steve Keeler was recognized for receiving Professor Emeritus status, which is awarded by the College Board of Trustees. Professor Keeler served more than 30 years at Cayuga, and was the first faculty member in the College’s history to be honored with the rank of SUNY Distinguished Service Professor and named to the SUNY Distinguished Academy.

Cayuga Adjunct Instructor Daniel Ferens received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching and Professor Terry Kupp, who is also the director for Cayuga’s Learning Commons-Academic Support, received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service. Professor Michael Pacelli received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, and Building Maintenance Mechanic Glenn Warner received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service.

A recording of Commencement will be available at the YouTube page for the College’s School of Media and the Arts, https://www.youtube.com/@mediacayuga3821.