UAlbany Celebrates 175th Commencement

More Than 4,900 Students Are Set to Receive Degrees, May 15-19

The 175th commencement celebrations begins May 15 with the doctoral hooding ceremony and culminates May 19 with the undergraduate commencement. (Photo by Patrick Dodson)

ALBANY, N.Y. (May 14, 2019) – Marking the culmination of their hard work and success, more than 4,900 students are set to receive degrees during the University at Albany’s 175th Commencement from May 15-19. This includes summer, fall and winter semester recipients from the 2018-19 academic year.

The festivities begin with the doctoral hooding ceremony on Wednesday, May 15, at 6 p.m. in SEFCU Arena. At this ceremony, SUNY Chairman H. Carl McCall will be honored as the recipient of the Medallion of the University and provide remarks. Events continue with the master’s and graduate certificate ceremony on Thursday, May 16, at 5:30 p.m. at SEFCU Arena. Ray Bromley, professor in the Department of Geography and Planning, will receive the Evan R. Collins Award during the ceremony.

The weekend concludes with the undergraduate ceremony on Sunday, May 19, at 10 a.m. on the University’s Entry Plaza. Kathryn V. Marinello ’78, president and CEO of Hertz Global Holdings, will deliver the undergraduate commencement address.

“On the occasion of the University’s 175th commencement, it is fitting that we will have such extraordinary leaders as our guests and honorees for our ceremonies,” said UAlbany President Havidán Rodríguez. “I know that Kathryn Marinello will bring an inspiring and meaningful message to our graduates, and it will be my honor to present the Medallion of the University to H. Carl McCall — a stalwart friend to UAlbany who has had a transformative impact on SUNY and on the state.”

All ceremonies will be live streamed and recorded. You can also follow #UAlbanyGrad.

Undergraduate Stats

More than 3,300 undergraduates are set to receive degrees, including summer, fall and winter semester recipients.

Among the estimated 2,408 students completing their degrees in May, 30 percent are first-generation college graduates, and 26 students are veterans. The graduates range in age from 18 to 62, with an average age of 23. Women make up 54 percent of the class. Students hail from 21 states and 18 countries.

The most popular undergraduate degree programs are business, psychology, communication, economics, human biology, sociology, accounting and biology.

Graduate Stats

More than 1,600 students are set to receive master’s degrees, doctoral degrees and graduate certificates, including summer, fall and winter semester recipients. This includes 1,317 master’s degrees, 205 doctoral degrees and 104 graduate certificates.

Among the estimated 1,001 students finishing degree programs in May, women make up 61 percent of the class. Students hail from 16 states and 23 nations. The average age of the graduates is 28, with the oldest student set to receive a graduate certificate at 67, and the youngest student receiving a master’s degree at 20. There are 18 veterans.

The most popular degree programs are in accounting, business, social welfare, public health, computer science and public administration.

Kathryn V. Marinello ’78, president and CEO of Hertz Global Holdings.

Kathryn V. Marinello ’78

Marinello joined Hertz in January 2017, bringing more than 35 years of automotive, consumer marketing, business services, technology and executive management experience to the company.

Prior to joining Hertz, she served as a senior advisor of Ares Management LLC since 2014. Her background includes experience in banking, business service and technology, serving as the chief executive officer and president of Ceridian Corporation from 2006 to 2010. She also held a wide variety of senior roles in 10 years at General Electric (GE), leading global, multi-billion dollar financial and services businesses.

Marinello earned a bachelor’s in psychology at UAlbany and an MBA in marketing from Hofstra University. She was named one of Fortune magazine’s top 20 female CEOs leading a Fortune 500 company in 2017. Read her profile in UAlbany Magazine.

Honorable H. Carl McCall

McCall was appointed Chairman of the State University of New York Board of Trustees Oct. 17, 2011. He first joined the Board as a member on Oct. 22, 2007 and recently announced his retirement.

The Medallion of the University is UAlbany’s highest honor for distinguished service. It expresses admiration and appreciation for extraordinary public service and leadership. Medallion recipients exhibit a profound commitment to excellence in high reduction, along with a steadfast dedication to economic vitality and cultural richness.

McCall was selected to receive this honor for his longstanding support of the SUNY System and of UAlbany, as well as his commitment to the Capital Region and State of New York.

Ray Bromley

Bromley has served five years as chair of the Department of Geography and Planning, and over nine years as vice provost for International Education. He joined the UAlbany faculty in January 1985, after a decade on the faculty of Swansea University (UK).

In the Department of Geography and Planning, Bromley directed the master’s in regional planning
(MRP) program for ten years, carrying it from 50 to 250 graduates, and facilitating its accreditation. He received the President and Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching (2006) and the President’s Award for Excellence in Service (1996).

Named for former UAlbany President Evan Collins, the Evan R. Collins Award honors faculty who exhibit extraordinary devotion to the University over a sustained period of time.

Other Commencement Festivities

UAlbany also hosts special recognition ceremonies, including the 2019 Lavender Celebration, honoring the achievements of graduating LGBTQI+ students and their supporters, is scheduled for Thursday, May 16, at 3 p.m. in the Campus Center Ballroom.

An international celebration was led by the Center for International Education and Global Strategy on Friday, May 3.

Several undergraduate recognition ceremonies for the University’s nine schools and colleges are also scheduled through the weekend. View the full schedule of commencement ceremonies here.

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