Monroe University confers degrees on 26 graduates from Jamaica

BRONX, NY:

Twenty-six students from Jamaica were awarded degrees from Monroe University during its 92nd annual commencement held June 12 at Radio City Music Hall in midtown New York City.

The Jamaicans were one of the largest groups of international graduates this year. In total, 65 countries were represented among the 2,785 graduates in Monroe’s Class of 2025.

Alsion Roach Wilson, consul general of Jamaica, was in attendance at commencement to support the graduating residents.

This year’s commencement was particularly special as it marked the first one held at the iconic venue since Monroe’s elevation to university status last summer. President Marc Jerome reflected on the institution’s achievement during his remarks.

“You are a historic class. We started the academic year together as Monroe College, and you have the honour of being the first graduating class from Monroe University,” he said.

He continued: “Graduation is always one of my favourite days of the year. There’s just something about putting on the graduation cap and gown, coming with your family to the greatest city in the world, New York City, and celebrating your graduation at one of the most famous venues in the world, Radio City Music Hall.

When you walk in through the doors, you cannot help but be inspired and impressed by what we’re seeing. But today, we’re inspired and impressed by you. Just think back to the person you were when you first started at Monroe. You arrived with a dream and the determination to make life better for yourself, your family and your community. Today that dream comes true.”

For some current and future Monroe graduates from Jamaica, that dream was first made possible through a generous scholarship programme jointly funded by the government and Monroe University. The programme is designed to make a quality tertiary education more accessible, affordable, and attainable for local students and their families.

SEPARATE CEREMONIES

Two separate ceremonies were held to accommodate the families and friends of the students earning associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degrees or professional and advanced certificates.

Graduands participating in the morning ceremony completed programmes of study in Monroe’s School of Business and Accounting, School of Criminal and Social Justice, School of Information Technology, and School of Nursing. The grand marshal was Cicely Spann, a staff member for 30 years who currently works within the Office of Loan Management. Bronx County, NY, District Attorney Darcel Clark gave the keynote address.

The afternoon ceremony conferred degrees on graduate students from Monroe’s King Graduate School, as well as undergraduate students from the School of Allied Health Professions, School of Education, and School of Hospitality Management and the Culinary Institute of New York.

Maria Vega, a member of the Student Financial Services team who has also served Monroe students for 30 years, led the processional as grand marshal. New York City Public Schools Chancellor and former Monroe University Vice President Melissa Aviles-Ramos delivered the keynote address.

The university conferred 596 master’s degrees; 1,081 bachelor’s degrees; and 1,051 associate degrees this year, as well as awarded 57 professional and advanced certificates.

The university’s three-semester academic calendar enables Monroe students to earn 45 or more college credits per year (compared to the 30 credits college students typically earn per year at other institutions). That means that many of the graduates this year earned their bachelor’s degree in three years or their associate degree in less than two years.