215 Earn Diplomas at Maria College's 62nd Commencement
Sunday, May 19, 2024 -- Amid cheers and applause, 215 students from Maria College took center stage at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center on Sunday, May 19 to claim their hard-earned degrees.
The Class of 2024 featured a diverse array of graduates, including those achieving bachelor’s degrees in nursing RN-BS completion, health and occupational sciences, healthcare management, psychology, and liberal arts. Additionally, students earned associate degrees in nursing, occupational therapy assistant, and general studies, along with practical nurse certificates.
The ceremony honored Sr. Katherine “Kay” Graber, RSM, ’61 with the McAuley Award for her exceptional healthcare leadership, compassion, and service. A member of Maria College’s inaugural graduation class, Sr. Kay dedicated 56 years at St. Peter’s Hospital, serving in roles from director of nursing to chief operating officer and major gifts officer.
The college also conferred honorary doctorates upon Harris Oberlander, CEO of Trinity Alliance of the Capital Region, for his work with marginalized communities; Dr. Mary Jo LaPosta, Ph.D., RN, NEA-BC, Maria College Board Chair and retired chief nursing officer at Saratoga Hospital, for her nearly 50-year nursing career that embodies the Sisters of Mercy values; and, Sister Gail Waring, RSM, ’63, board chair Emerita of Maria College, for her lifelong dedication to serving others as a Sister of Mercy.
“Graduation is a testament to the commitment and resilience of our students,” said Maria College President Lynn Ortale, Ph.D. “Maria College congratulates our graduates in nursing, occupational therapy, psychology, healthcare management, and liberal studies. These students have overcome the challenges of starting their education in a pandemic with flying colors and are prepared to shape a complex and ever-changing world. They’ve embraced the Mercy mission, and their recognition and respect for the dignity of every human will create a more just and caring world. Today, we celebrate not just their academic achievements but also their personal growth and the positive impact they will make on the world as they join the healthcare field to improve the lives of others.”
“Maria College’s 62nd graduating class is truly remarkable,” added Anne Jung, Ph.D., vice president of academic affairs, chief academic officer, dean of the college. “Their academic achievements are a reflection of their intellectual curiosity, their perseverance and their commitment to helping others with care and compassion. This class will bring their knowledge and skill into the community fulfilling our mission when it is needed now more than ever. We are extremely proud of each graduate, and we extend our sincere congratulations.”
Oberlander, marking his 20th year leading Trinity Alliance and renowned for his advocacy in Albany’s marginalized communities, delivered a powerful message to the audience. He underscored the significance of service, empathy, and dedication to uplifting the vulnerable. Drawing from more than four decades in social work, he shed light on care disparities, urging graduates to embody compassion, professionalism, and reverence for human dignity.
“Make your work count,” he implored. “Add value to the lives of others, treating them with dignity, empathy, and respect for their person and for the historical experience they and their people possess. Act with courage in the face of wrong and abuse, unethical behavior and the greed of others, especially as social and medical care are increasingly controlled by corporate bottom lines. Be willing to be a positive disrupter for good, while not descending into a negative disruption borne of agitation. Learn, know, and embrace the difference.”
For more information about Maria College’s 2024 Commencement events, visit https://mariacollege.edu/commencement-2024
-30-
About Maria College
Founded in 1958, Maria College is one of 17 colleges and universities in the United States sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. The private, co-educational, Catholic college in Albany serves approximately 800 students in a variety of bachelor, associate and master’s degrees, and certificate programs including liberal arts, healthcare management, nursing, psychology, occupational therapy, and health and occupational sciences. To learn more, visit MariaCollege.edu.