Purchase Class of '11 Graduates at County Center

The SUNY Purchase class of 2011 received thier diplomas Friday afternoon at the Westchester County Center, graduating from the liberal arts college into a world of uncertainty, excitement and high expectations.

"We have gone through these tunnels before and always came out the other side and we will do so again," said Schwarz, discussing the uncertain job market that awaits this year's class. "We must embrace change in order to succeed and not be tied to the past."

The future for Purchase's 990 graduates holds everything from a summer job at an aquarium to a cross-country search for graduate school. Peter Schranz, an arts major from Philadelphia, said he is going to take some time work at an aquarium before he starts graduate school. Seth Powsner, a political science major, has a road trip to California planned, he hopes to pick out a graduate school along the way.

James O'Donnell, of Mamaroneck, said he was happy just to receive his diploma.

"Frankly, I'm pretty surprised I made it," he said with a laugh. "Six months ago I didn't know if I was going to be here."

Stacy Skolnik, a creative writing and poetry major from Long Island said after graduation she plans to take a fellowship, traveling to either Israel or Germany.

"I've been ready to move on for a little bit," she said. "Maybe not grow up, but move on."

Senator Charles Schumer addressed the class of 2011, sharing a career track that took him a few different directions before he decided on politics. He urged the graduates to seek a career that will make them happy throughout their adult lives.

"Despite these tough times you are going to have a lot of opportunities, a lot," he said. "My advice to you is simple, try to find a job, a profession, that you really like, that you love, even if you have to make a couple tries at it."

Kaitlyn Raitz, the senior class speaker, conveyed the same message to her fellow graduates, asking them to avoid placing limits on themselves and to have the confidence to achieve whatever they dream.

The message was well received, as the graduating class of 2011 took a quick look back, before embracing the future.

"It's been an experience," O'Donnell said when asked about his years at Purchase. "I enjoyed it."