ROCKLAND COUNTY, N.Y. (April 27, 2022) – All Spring 2022 candidates for graduation as well as Summer and Fall 2021 conferred graduates are invited to attend an in-person Commencement Ceremony on May 23, 2022. It will be held at 11 am at Clover Stadium in Pomona, NY.
“I am delighted to invite our 2022 graduates along with their families and friends for the 62nd Commencement ceremony, which will be live and in person for the first time since 2019,” says RCC President Dr. Michael A. Baston. “This is a momentous occasion where we are celebrating our hard-working students as they embark on the next chapters in their lives, whether it is entering the workforce immediately or continuing their academic journey.”
The Keynote Speaker will be Emmy-Award winning Lynda Baquero, NBC 4 New York’s consumer reporter on the “Better Get Baquero” segment. She also hosts “Visiones,” a long-running series that highlights issues within the Hispanic community.
Baquero is a recipient of a 2006 Emmy award for “Best Evening Newscast” with Chuck Scarborough, and a 1998 local Emmy Award for “Religious Programming” for her reporting of the Pope’s visit to Cuba.
“Our Keynote Speaker is especially fitting given RCC’s charter as a Hispanic Serving Institution,” Dr. Baston continues. “Lynda Baquero is dedicated to helping young people achieve their potential—and is just the type of role model our students aspire to become.”
Baquero is on the Board of Directors of “Let’s Get Ready,” a non-profit organization that serves the educational needs of New York City students. She also serves on the Board of the Byram Hills Education Foundation, which supports students in Westchester County, and is an active advocate of El Museo del Barrio’s arts and education programs. Fluent in Spanish and French, Baquero is a graduate of New York University and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism.
Baquero’s reporting was a key component of NBC 4 New York’s award-winning COVID-19 coverage, which was awarded the prestigious Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia University Award.
Her “Better Get Baquero” segments resolve consumer complaints and provide updates on the latest consumer alerts. She is also host of the long-running series “Visiones”, which highlights issues that affect the Hispanic community, by presenting informative conversations from newsmakers, community leaders and celebrities on arts, education and health.
“I also want to commend this year’s SUNY Excellence Award winner Jolie Santiago, a Liberal Arts and Humanities ‘22 graduate,” said Baston. “She is a diligent and tenacious student who exemplifies the well-roundedness of an education at RCC.”
Santiago, a New City resident, is a volunteer at People to People and Girl Scouts of America; captain of the RCC volleyball team that made it to regionals for the first time in the College’s history; and member of both the Street Team, an RCC student marketing program, and the Sam Draper Honors Program.
Jolie plans to transfer to a four-year school in the Fall, where she will pursue her bachelor’s degree in journalism or marketing.
“Congratulations to all of my fellow graduates who have made it to the finish line of their journey at RCC through one of the most difficult times in recent history,” said Santiago. “We have all proven what we are capable of – we are courageous, motivated, successful, and thankful to all of the people who helped us along our journey.”
To obtain a degree or certificate from Rockland Community College, students who believe they have met all degree requirements must complete the online Application for Graduation. For those unable to attend the live ceremony, visit sunyrockland.edu/commencement to watch the recording of the event. Proof of vaccinations will not be required for students and families. Masks are encouraged but not required.
About Rockland Community College, State University of New York
Rockland Community College, State University of New York, offers a safe, supportive learning environment for thousands of students from diverse backgrounds who appreciate small class sizes and personal attention from a distinguished, award-winning faculty that includes Fulbright scholars and SUNY Distinguished Professors. Thanks to the School’s affordable tuition, students who begin their career journey at RCC and then transfer to a four-year college can save up to $100,000 on their education. RCC is also proud to provide career training and professional development to adult learners looking to change careers or upgrade their skills through the Career Skills Academy. More information can be found at sunyrockland.edu.
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