Outgoing NYU president Andrew Hamilton gave his ultimate send-off to the category of 2023 in his final graduation ceremony because the college’s chief.
Samson Tu
NYU’s one hundred and ninetieth graduation ceremony within the Yankee Stadium on Could 17. (Samson Tu for WSN)
Greater than 20,000 college students, together with their family and friends, packed the stands of Yankee Stadium in celebration of NYU’s class of 2023 on Could 17, the ultimate graduation ceremony of college president Andrew Hamilton’s tenure.
The ceremony opened with processions to the middle of the sector led by college students, college and directors. Scholar and school representatives carried banners representing every college alongside the outer rim of the sector. Katie Tune-Yi Nam, a Steinhardt graduate, then sang the nationwide anthem earlier than the group.
In his speech, Hamilton congratulated the graduates and mirrored on his time as president.
“This yr is especially particular,” Hamilton stated. “You might be graduating from NYU as I’m stepping down from my presidency. As we speak marks a serious transition for us each — the beginning of a special interval in our lives.
Hamilton, who will probably be succeeded by longtime college administrator Linda Mills in July, led NYU via the pandemic and a interval of elevated philanthropic assist for the college. Underneath his management, NYU improved monetary help — it now meets 100% of scholars’ demonstrated want — and its acceptance charge dropped from 35% to eight%.
Following a gap deal with from Interim Provost Georgina Dopico, Hamilton introduced an honorary Physician of Science diploma to Stanford College professor and Nobel laureate Carolyn Bertozzi and an honorary Physician of Superb Arts diploma to American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Misty Copeland. Freeman Hrabowski, president emeritus of the College of Maryland, Baltimore County, was then introduced with an honorary Physician of Humane Letters diploma.
The ceremony’s keynote speaker, Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin, additionally acquired an honorary Physician of Humane Letters diploma earlier than addressing the graduating class on behalf of the 2023 honorary diploma recipients. Marin spoke about her expertise as Finland’s youngest and longest-serving girl prime minister and gave recommendation to the brand new graduates about navigating their lives past NYU.
“Wanting isn’t sufficient — to alter issues, it’s a must to take over,” Marin stated. “No change can occur with out the desire. You should need issues to alter for higher. ”
CAS graduate Donovan Dior Dixon, the ceremony’s pupil speaker, congratulated his classmates and stated he was grateful for the chums he made throughout his 4 years at NYU.
“All of us got here to this college with a lit flame,” Dixon stated. “With that illumination comes transformation — the chance for all of us to usher within the day when our society is free from worry, guided by hope, and sure by an eternal love for each other.”
Ron Corridor, the outgoing Scholar Authorities Meeting chair, introduced Hamilton with a framed {photograph} of the graduation ceremony earlier than the 2 shared a hug.
Scholar representatives from every of NYU’s colleges have been then given symbolic diplomas from deans and directors on behalf of their respective graduating lessons.
On the ceremony’s conclusion, Dopico and Hamilton introduced the passing of the torch — a college custom since 1938 — throughout which J. Anthony Movshon, a senior NYU administrator, handed a torch to the youngest undergraduate pupil within the class of 2023, Morgan Xu.
Tandon graduate Florentina Sergiou stated she was pleased to have the ability to spend her final moments on the college alongside her fellow college students.
“I’m tremendous excited,” Sergiou stated. “I’m wanting ahead to simply spending these previous few moments with pals earlier than we’re all off on our completely different adventures.”
Hamilton concluded the ceremony with recommendation to the graduating class and his ultimate farewell.
“You’ve now joined the ranks of NYU alumni, who’ve used their data to profit humanity,” Hamilton stated. “Proceed their custom embodying the phrases of our motto: ‘perstare et praestare’ — to persevere and excel.”
Contact Bruna Horvath and Yezen Saadah at [email protected].