Manhattan College Honors Graduate Students At Its 2024 Commencement
Philanthropist Alexandra Cohen delivered the Commencement address; Katherine G. Uffer ’23, ’24 (M.S.) was the graduating class valedictorian.
Manhattan College held commencement exercises for its 2024 class of Graduate students on May 17 at Draddy Gymnasium on the School’s campus. The degrees were conferred upon students in the Kakos School of Arts & Sciences, the School of Engineering, and the O’Malley School of Business. Dr. Rani Roy, interim Provost, served as the emcee for the activities while Dr. Milo Riverso, President, addressed the students, praising them for opting to continue their academic studies. After the Invocation and singing of the National Anthem, the valedictory address was given by Katherine G. Uffer. Ms. Uffer, a 2023 graduate of Manhattan College with a degree in computer science, completed her graduate courses in that field in one year. In her address to the assembled group of faculty, administration, staff, family, and friends, she asked her fellow graduates to reflect on those who have impacted their lives thus far and, importantly, to pass on their knowledge to positively impact others.
A highlight of the activities was the awarding of the Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa to Alexandra Cohen, philanthropist and owner of the New York Mets. In a gracious speech, she acknowledged that receiving the honorary degree is “…not about what I achieved, but what I helped others achieve.” She stated that kindness and giving are central to everything in life and that they are “muscles” that need to be continuously exercised. Cohen is a lifelong New Yorker, born in Harlem and raised in Washington Heights. She attended Manhattan College and previously stated that, “My time at Manhattan College was transformative for me, and I will never forget the people there who made a difference in my life.” She is the President of the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation where she directs giving toward underserved communities, children’s health and education, Lyme and tickborne disease research, the arts, and sustainability.
At the conclusion of the conferring of degrees where each student was called by name and “hooded”, Dr. Riverso asked the students to remain active in Manhattan College life through its strong alumni network. “Jaspers help Jaspers,” he said.