Bronx Community College (BCC) held its 65th Commencement Ceremony on Ohio Field on Friday, May 30. A total of 1,126 graduates received their diplomas, with family, friends, faculty, staff and honored guests cheering them on in a spirited celebration.

Interim BCC President Milton Santiago delivered opening remarks, along with CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez – both of them speaking about the graduates’ resilience and determination that led them to this day and turning the spotlight on their perseverance.

Other notable speakers included Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Luis Montenegro; Interim Vice President for Student Success Manny Lopez; The Honorable University Trustee Lorraine Cortés-Vazquez;  Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson; NY State Senator Robert Jackson.; U.S. Representative Adriano Espaillat; NY City Council Member Pierina Ana Sanchez; NY State Representative Yudelka Tapia; Chair of of Social Sciences and College Senate Professor Hisseine Faradj; SGA President John Lorino, and Valedictorian Genesis Nicacio.

The Keynote address was given by Julissa Reynoso —former U.S. Ambassador to Spain, Andorra and Uruguay. Ambassador Reynoso, born in the Dominican Republic and immigrated to the United States with her family at the age of seven, spoke about her career and the value of her Bronx roots in preparing her for her work with the State Department. “When career diplomats asked me what experience I had, I responded by simply saying, “I’m from the Bronx.”

A highlight of the event was witnessing the proud moments of the children of our student parents, as they took the stage to join their parents in receiving their diplomas. For many of these parents, BCC’s Early Childhood Center was instrumental in helping to remove the barrier of childcare so that the students could focus on earning their degrees.