Nazareth College will celebrate its 85th annual Commencement at the Blue Cross Arena in a joint ceremony with both undergraduate and graduate students receiving their degrees on Saturday, May 12. The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. and former Rochester mayor and current New York State Lieutenant Governor Robert J. Duffy will deliver the address to the Class of 2012 graduates. Nazareth has 570 undergraduate students and 451 graduate students earning diplomas, including those students with a doctorate in physical therapy. For more information, please call Julie Long at cell (585) 389-2456 or Alicia Nestle at cell (585) 389-2457.
This year’s graduating class consists of four of Nazareth’s five Fulbright scholars for 2012:
Liam Connolly of Stratham, N.H., a history and philosophy double major, who will teach English in South Korea; Julie Saltrelli of Rochester, N.Y., a student in the master of arts in liberal studies program at Nazareth College, will act as a language-learning assistant at an English teacher training college in Argentina; Maria Seewaldt of Warsaw, N.Y., a German and inclusive adolescent education double major, will teach English in Germany; and Jessica Tett of Livonia, N.Y., a Spanish and adolescent education double major, will teach English in Colombia. In the last five years, there have been 16 Fulbrights awarded to Nazareth College students.
Robert J. Duffy was elected New York State Lieutenant Governor in November 2010 after he and running mate Andrew Cuomo ran a successful campaign to lead New York State. Duffy had been mayor of Rochester, NY since January 1, 2006. His time as Mayor was marked by boundless energy, an immeasurable faith in the city’s potential and a commitment to transforming Rochester into “One City” where all citizens benefit from the vast wealth of its resources.
As the City’s chief executive, Duffy navigated the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression by reducing the cost of government, yet improving services. Under his stewardship, the value of property in Rochester has risen, while the tax rate has declined. He reduced the city workforce to its lowest level since the Truman administration, while attracting millions of dollars in private-sector investments.
Born in Rochester’s Tenth Ward, Duffy graduated from the Aquinas Institute, Monroe Community College and Rochester Institute of Technology. After joining the Rochester Police Department in 1976, he worked nights to earn a Master’s degree from Syracuse University. He became Deputy Chief of Police in 1992 and Rochester’s Chief of Police in 1998.
Julie Long, Nazareth Chief Public Relations Officer: (585) 389-2456; jlong2@naz.edu
Nazareth University is an inclusive community of inspired learners, educators, and changemakers who for nearly 100 years have been driven by a bold commitment to action, empathy, equity, and leading innovation for the common good. Impact experiences are at the heart of a Nazareth education, preparing each student to discover within themselves the potential to cultivate positive change in their life's work, in any career field, and in a world that is constantly evolving and infinitely interconnected.
Our broad academic offerings present a range of study options typical of larger universities, yet achieved in our supportive campus culture. Nearly 2,100 undergrad and 600 graduate students enroll in degree and certificate programs and engage in collaborative, transformative learning experiences, preparing for the professions and society of today and tomorrow. In a learning community that purposefully integrates liberal arts and professional programs, Nazareth University graduates are able to launch a lifetime of impactful leadership in communities and workplaces near and far.