On Sunday, May 17, Saint Peter’s College celebrated the Class of 2009, holding its 118th commencement ceremony at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, N.J. With a packed audience of family and friends, more than 800 graduates proudly received their diplomas at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Davide De Pierro, the Class of 2009 valedictorian, noted the strength of a Saint Peter’s College degree, and the positive impact the liberal arts education had on the graduates. “We will not walk away today with just a diploma in our hands or with an education in a specific area of study. Here we were given more than that; we were given the gift of ideas, of words; a gift that is incorruptible, immeasurable; a gift that cannot die.” Davide, who majored in English literature at Saint Peter’s, will continue his education at Fordham University Law School this fall.
NBC News Presidential Historian Michael Beschloss, who provided the commencement address for the ceremony, received a Doctor of Humane Letters degree honoris causa, as did Carl R. Augusto, president and chief executive officer for the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB). "The bad news is you’re going into the job market in the worst economy in 75 years. The good news is that you’re doing it with a Saint Peter’s diploma,” noted Beschloss.
Despite the weak economy, Saint Peter’s graduates are creating opportunities for themselves, moving on to diverse professions and graduate programs throughout the world. Christopher DePizzo, who received his Bachelor of Science degree in political science, will continue his education at University of Pennsylvania Law School. Audra Lambert, who received the Art History Scholarship award at commencement, will travel to Japan to teach English. California native Jolie Hoppe will return to her home state and begin medical school at Touro University this fall.
The graduation ceremonies concluded a week of celebratory events, including Baccalaureate Masses at the Jersey City campus and the Englewood Cliffs campus. College President Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., who closed the commencement ceremony with the conferral of degrees, addressed the 2009 graduates, noting, "There is much more ahead of you. Whatever you go on to after today, dream big; Saint Peter’s graduates are only limited by their imaginations."
To view videos of the speeches given at commencement by De Pierro and Beschloss, or to view photos, visit www.spc.edu/commencement.
