On May 21, the SUNY New Paltz Honors Program lauded the high-caliber work ethic and performance of new graduates with a reception and ceremony at Studley Theatre. 

The Honors Program provides highly motivated students with opportunities to engage in deep learning practices and conduct major scholarly research in an atmosphere conducive to independent thinking, creativity, respect and social responsibility. 

As part of their curriculum, the Honors Program assigns students with a rigorous senior thesis project to go above and beyond in their pursuit of personal and intellectual development merging varied disciplinary interests.  

“Many people are smart, but Honors Program students at New Paltz are smart in ways that go beyond high GPAs,” said Pat Sullivan, Honors Program director and professor of digital media and journalism. “I collaborate with students who are creative, intellectually curious deep thinkers and have many interests across disciplines, both inside and outside the classroom.” 

Two of the program’s alumni, engaged couple Casey Silvestri ’17 (Journalism) and Dylan Rose ’16 (Mathematics), exemplify the traditions of the Honors Program, using their skills learned as Honors students to excel in careers at The Associated Press and PBS. As graduation keynote speakers, they offered words of wisdom to the best and brightest graduating seniors.  

“All of you have experienced historical events during your time at New Paltz, which speaks to something you will carry with you far beyond this campus: your resilience,” said Silvestri. “You decided to write your own narrative and now you’re ready to take on the world.” 

“Your experience here is a stepping stone for what your next step is,” said Rose. “This new chapter may be overwhelming, but remember that the transferable skills you learned at New Paltz open doors.”  

Zoey Calison of Wallkill, a photography major, was among the exceptional students who graduated with honors this year. Others included Alana Gerber, who majored in Early Childhood and Child Education, Maya Hood who majored in English; and Emma Berg who majored in Political Science. All are from New Paltz.

“I ask you to take whatever gifts you’ve attained in your academic life, and bring that actionable service to others,” said President Darrell P. Wheeler. “That is the highest gift we can give to one another and to humanity.”