Schools
Manhattanville University’s 183rd Commencement Ceremonies Held
More than 400 students from the Class of 2024 received graduate and undergraduate degrees and heard from leaders in media and publishing
PURCHASE, NY, May 13, 2024 – More than 400 Manhattanville University students received graduate and undergraduate degrees last week in two separate commencement ceremonies held outdoors on the campus quad on Thursday, May 9, and Saturday, May 11. The school awarded more than 150 undergraduate degrees and 270 graduate degrees.
Gina Hemphill-Strachan, a seasoned veteran in the media industry who is renowned for her talent production and storytelling prowess in sports and entertainment, was the speaker at the graduate ceremony on May 9. The granddaughter of Olympic champion Jesse Owens, Hemphill-Strachan spoke of “playing to win” not just “playing not to lose.” She said the Manhattanville students she met were “passionate, creative visionaries” and congratulated the graduating students on all their hard work and accomplishments.
“Discovery is a very powerful thing. Just think about how different everything would be without it,”Hemphill-Strachan told the graduates.
Find out what's happening in Harrisonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
While addressing the new grads, Manhattanville President Frank D. Sánchez, Ph.D., said that each and e very one of them was making history, as this was the inaugural commencement since the school officially became Manhattanville University.
The recipients of the graduate degrees “span remarkable backgrounds, perspectives, qualities and characteristics” and “are now providing a greater service to our broader communities,” said Dr. Sánchez. He added, “Graduates, your education and training from Manhattanville will provide you all a platform to do more for our shared humanity and to advance your professions.”
Find out what's happening in Harrisonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Dr. Sánchez told the graduating undergraduate students at a separate ceremony on May 11, “Your accomplishments are Manhattanville’s accomplishments.” He added, “As you know, ‘To a Valiant heart, nothing is impossible.’”
Megan Abbott, an award-winning author, addressed those at the undergraduate ceremony, telling the graduating class they shouldn’t be afraid to make mistakes and follow their passions. “There are things deep inside you, things you may keep hidden, that are mysterious, inexplicable, odd, beautiful and could maybe even change the world but—at the very least—will change you, which amounts to the same thing,” she said.
The 2024 President’s Prize was presented to Edelawit Fikru Yishakm. Edelawit, who majored in Computer Science, was born in Ethiopia and became a U.S. citizen last summer. Edelawit distinguished herself not only though her studies and active participation in Manhattanville’s honors program, but she displayed true commitment to the values of the university through her service as a Student Ambassador in Admissions, the Clark Scholars Program, and her position in Residence Life. She spearheaded and implemented thoughtful projects such as a messaging network for the Women’s Mentoring Network and a Uniguide Bot to assist international students with applying to college and visa processes. Edelawit is a member of Women who Code and the National Society of Black Engineers. Edelawit will soon be starting a new position with the Ford Motor Company as a Software Engineer.
Other awardees included Gianluca Gonzalez, who received the Grace Cowardin Dammann Award; Sean Larkin who received the Eleanor O’Byrne Award; and Gabriela Torres who received the Provost’s Prize.
Recordings of the full ceremonies can be found here:
About Manhattanville University
Manhattanville University (formerly Manhattanville College) is a private liberal arts institution dedicated to academic excellence, purposeful education, and social justice. For three years in a row, “U.S. News and World Report” has ranked Manhattanville the number one private, non-profit institution in New York among Top Performers of Social Mobility in Regional Universities North. Located 30 miles from New York City on a 100-acre suburban campus in the heart of Westchester County, Manhattanville enables easy access to entertainment offerings, educational resources, and business opportunities for its primarily residential and diverse student body. The university serves more than 1,300 undergraduate students and nearly 1,000 graduate students from more than 44 countries and 33 states. Founded in 1841, the university offers more than 75 undergraduate and graduate areas of study in the arts and sciences, education, nursing and health sciences, business, and creative writing, as well as continuing and executive education programs. Graduate students can choose from over 70 graduate and certificate programs. Extracurricular offerings include more than 45 clubs and activities and 22 NCAA Division III teams.
