The College of Saint Rose Will Celebrate Final Graduation Ceremony, Marking 100 Years Since First Graduation Ceremony in 1924

Albany, NY – The College of Saint Rose will celebrate its 2024 Commencement ceremony on May 11. The ceremony will occur at 10 a.m. at the MVP Arena in Albany, where 1,736 undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates of advanced study will be conferred. This will be the College’s final commencement ceremony, marking 100 years since the College’s first graduation ceremony in 1924. More than 5,000 graduates and their families and friends are expected to be in attendance at the commencement ceremony, with many more watching the livestream link around the world so that all may celebrate the accomplishments of the 2024 graduates.

“Congratulations to all of our 2024 graduates. Like our founders, your stories are about your depth of creativity, intellectual rigor, adaptation, determination, joy, love, and resilience. You completed your degree through some of the most difficult years in our history, and today, we celebrate all you have become,“ said College of Saint Rose President Marcia J. White.

The speakers were selected, and the program was developed with input from a committee comprised of faculty, students, Trustees, and administration representatives. The Committee felt it was important that this commencement be a joyous celebration of the achievements of the Class of 2024 and that the speakers should be individuals who are known to the students and live the Saint Rose mission.

White, also a Saint Rose alumna, remarked, “This is the College’s final Commencement; it is, therefore, fitting that we hear from members of our Saint Rose community who understand the transformative nature of the Saint Rose experience and honor those who epitomize our mission and values.”

Joan Horgan, Director of Spiritual Life, a much respected and admired leader across all segments of the campus community, will deliver the commencement address. Horgan has been an integral part of The College of Saint Rose community for 30 years, linking the values of the College’s founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, to the day-to-day academic and student life of the College. Since 1993, she has been a guiding force in fostering faith, community service, and social justice initiatives. A native of Schenectady, Horgan holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Saint Rose and a master’s in social work from the University at Albany.

“Joan embodies the College’s mission of fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, embracing perspectives from various faith traditions, and encouraging interfaith dialogue,” added White. “Joan’s dedication to service, social justice, and holistic well-being has left an indelible mark on the Saint Rose community, inspiring countless students to pursue lives dedicated to advocacy and change addressing some of our society’s most pressing needs.”

In addition, two Class of 2024 student leaders will speak at the commencement ceremony. They were both members of the Commencement Planning Committee and were unanimously nominated to speak by the Committee.

● D’Andre Little ’23, G’24, will receive a master’s degree in computer science this year. He is a Student Association officer and student-athlete on the track and field team. He has also served as a resident assistant, orientation leader, and admissions tour guide. Little earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Saint Rose in 2023.

● Laura Uribe G’24, who will receive a bachelor of social work (minors in sociology and public health) and an English-to-Spanish translation certificate, is the president of the Student Association, a BOLD Women’s Leadership Network Scholar and has served as an orientation leader and admissions tour guide. Laura will attend the University at Albany, pursuing her master’s in social work with advanced standing.

“D’Andre and Laura exemplify academic excellence and a profound dedication to community service and leadership,” said Dr. Margaret McLane, provost and vice president of academic affairs. “Their unwavering commitment to both their studies and making a positive impact with their fellow students makes them inspirational choices to represent the class of 2024.”

The College will honor Sister Honora Margaret Kinney CSJ, G ‘66, ’61, professor emeritus of history, and Dr. Mary Ann Schultz McLoughlin, ’63, professor of mathematics, with the Cardondelet Medal for their commitment to the Saint Rose tradition of the liberal arts and dedicated service to The College of Saint Rose. The Carondelet Medal is the highest honor the College bestows and recognizes the individual for exceptional contributions to education, which, in the broadest sense of the word, is the passing on to others that one has received.

Sister Honora has steadfastly pursued social justice and systemic reform since she arrived on campus in 1957. Having earned a bachelor’s degree in social studies and French, a master’s degree in history from Saint Rose, and a Ph.D. in history from Syracuse University, Sister Honora began a lifelong journey dedicated to enlightening minds. During that time, Sister Honora has undertaken multiple roles beyond her decades in the classroom, including working in the College’s Neil Hellman Library, being part of the initiative that brought Michelle Alexander to campus, and participating in the College’s recent Middle States Self-Study process. Her active campus presence long after retirement as a faculty member underscores her dedication to the College’s institutional enhancement and demonstrates her grassroots approach to fostering substantive improvements. Central to Sister Honora’s social advocacy is her profound belief in the transformative influence of community engagement.

Professor Mary Ann McLoughlin, the longest-serving faculty member actively teaching at Saint Rose, has dedicated 59 years to her role as a mathematics educator. With a formidable array of degrees in mathematics – a bachelor of arts from The College of Saint Rose, a master of arts from Washington University, and a master of science and a Ph.D. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute – her tenure epitomizes an unwavering commitment to learning. She has been awarded the College’s prestigious Thomas A. Manion Distinguished Faculty Award for her outstanding professional accomplishments and concern for students. Beyond her academic pursuits, McLoughlin fervently advocates for STEM education and inspires future innovators. She generously volunteers as a judge for the annual Joseph Henry Science Fair for elementary students and has served as chair of the mathematics department and the rank and tenure committee, underscoring her dedication to maintaining high standards and fostering academic excellence.

For more information about the 2024 commencement ceremony, please visit the commencement page on the College’s website.

About The College of Saint Rose: The College of Saint Rose was founded in 1920 by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet as a Catholic college for women in the New York state capital of Albany, New York. Today, The College of Saint Rose is a private, independent, coeducational college serving approximately 2,500 students in 31 bachelor’s degrees, 23 master’s degrees, 23 accelerated dual degree programs, 5 undergraduate certificates, and 16 advanced certificate programs.

From its first graduating class of 19 women in 1924, more than 50,000 students have graduated from the College in the past 100 years, including those earning degrees at today’s commencement. The College’s diverse alumni live worldwide, impacting and serving their communities while permanently connected by their Saint Rose experience.

Although The College of Saint Rose will cease academic instruction in June 2024, its mission and values of serving the dear neighbor, creating diverse and inclusive communities, and meeting the needs of the times will live on through the work and lives of its alumni and dedicated faculty and staff.