DCC Graduates More Than 1,000 at its 49th Commencement

Release date: May 16, 2008

Poughkeepsie, N.Y. – Dutchess Community College graduated more than 1,000 students at its 49th Commencement exercises on May 15. The ceremony also brought to a close the College’s yearlong celebration of its 50th anniversary.

Dr. D. David Conklin, president of DCC, recognized the role the community and DCC’s faculty and staff played in the College’s first 50 years, but paid tribute to graduates past and present, who Conklin said were the most integral part of DCC’s achievements.

“The real success of a college or university is measured by the success of its graduates,” said Conklin. “Using this criterion, Dutchess Community College has been absolutely successful. Our graduates have distinguished themselves in their chosen professions and have been recognized as leaders in their communities as well. We hope that the members of the Class of 2008 achieve the same level of distinction as our other graduates.”

DCC’s commencement featured two keynote speakers, Anthony Krzywicki, the College’s first Business Department head, and Anthony Campilii, a DCC graduate and retired vice president of Business Affairs and Chief Financial Officer at Marist College.

Campilii was part of DCC’s very first graduating class in 1960, and like numerous other DCC graduates, was the first in his family to go to college. He spoke about the importance of life-long learning and the value of family. He said each graduate’s DCC diploma brings with it not only an honor, but a responsibility.

“Today, you join an elite group of people, the alumni of Dutchess Community College,” said Campilii. “Wherever you go, whatever you do, you will represent DCC. You will represent all of the graduates of Dutchess who preceded you, especially the Class of 1960. This was my class, the first class, and I bring you greetings and congratulations from DCC’s first graduating class.”

Krzywicki recounted some of the early struggles and triumphs of DCC’s first year in 1958, and said future generations must also remain committed to the College’s mission and goals.

“Dutchess has been in existence for 50 years,” said Krzywicki. “Do we still have the vision of an affordable, comprehensive college that is filling the changing educational needs of the community? Graduates, it’s in your hands.”

The Class of 2008 includes graduates ranging in age from 17 to 59, with a median age of 22. Eighty percent reside in Dutchess County, 19% are residents of other counties and states, and 1% are from foreign countries. Sixty-three-and-a-half percent of the class are women, and 36.5 % are men.

Approximately 26.2% are receiving Associate in Applied Science degrees, 44.4% have earned Associate in Science degrees, 23.9% are receiving Associate in Arts degrees, and 5.9% are receiving certificates.

The graduating class includes students from 51 different college programs. The most popular programs this year were Humanities and Social Sciences, with 203 graduates, Business Administration Transfer, with 114 graduates, the Nursing program, with 85 graduating students, and 91 students who are part of Joint Acceptance programs with SUNY New Paltz in Early Childhood, Childhood and Adolescent Education.

Approximately 39.6% of the class is graduating with honors, having achieved a 3.2 CPA or higher. Eight students are graduating with a perfect 4.0 average. Twenty six members of the graduating class began their study in one of the College’s special developmental programs designed to strengthen academic skills.

For more information about the graduation ceremony, contact Ann Winfield at 845-431-8405.

Founded in 1957, Dutchess Community College is a two-year community college celebrating its 50th anniversary of excellence and service to the residents of Dutchess County. It is part of the State University of New York and is one of 30 community colleges in the state system. The College offers a wide variety of associate degree programs, as well as career programs in major technical, human service and business areas. The College also offers non-credit courses through its Office of Community Services to meet the continuing education needs of civic, cultural, business and professional groups and the community at large. The main campus is at 53 Pendell Road in Poughkeepsie, while the Dutchess South extension site is in Hollowbrook Park, Building #4 at 31 Marshall Road in Wappingers Falls.

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