SBU Celebrates its 17th Annual December Commencement with 1,571 Degrees Conferred

SBU CELEBRATES ITS 17th ANNUAL DECEMBER COMMENCEMENT WITH 1,571 DEGREES CONFERRED

Stony Brook University President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D congratulates a 2014 December graduate

STONY BROOK, N.Y., December 18, 2014 – Stony Brook University held its 17^th Annual December commencement ceremony today in the newly renovated Island Federal Credit Union Arena, where 1,571 students had their degrees conferred. The new graduates, which range in age from 20 – 77, joined approximately 150,000 of their predecessors around the globe whose lives and work personify the Stony Brook University mission.

During his commencement address, Stony Brook University President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D., spoke about the tradition of graduation, the increasing value of a Stony Brook degree, and reinforced the competitive advantages and opportunities that Stony Brook graduates will have as they enter new chapters in their lives.

“Recently some have questioned the value of a college degree, have stated that a college education may not be worth its cost. Let me make it very clear. Your investment in your Stony Brook degree will be one of the best investments you (and your family) ever made,” said President Stanley.

“In addition to earning higher wages,” he continued, “college graduates are more likely to find jobs than those who didn’t attend college. Your decision to attend and receive a degree from Stony Brook University means you are on a path towards a better life, and I congratulate you on that choice and your future.”

2014 December Graduates

President Stanley also encouraged students to keep in touch with mentors and professors who helped graduates achieve academic success. He urged students not to “lose these valued mentors, as they can continue to play an important role in your life, a wonderful source for counsel, free advice, and those ever so important recommendations.” He continued to reassure graduates that “wherever in the world you end up, know that we are proud of you, and that you will always have a home at Stony Brook University.”

At the ceremony, remarks were also delivered by U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) and student speaker, Danielle DeSantis, who received a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology. DeSantis, selected by a committee of staff and faculty from a pool of submitted speeches provided through the annual senior speaker competition, shared her thoughts about her years as a Seawolf and offered the following advice to her fellow graduates:

Graduate Danielle DeSantis

“…Go find your mountain! Go see what’s beyond this wave of life, and howl to the world ‘I am a Seawolf!’ … Stony Brook gave us our sea, and now we need to take the reins into our own hands and see what is past the waves of college. “

Next month DesSantis will begin classes toward the pursuit of a Master of Arts degree in Higher Education Administration at Stony Brook University.

Graduation December 2014 Fast Facts

A total of 1,571 degrees conferred as follows:

805 Bachelor Degrees
160 Doctoral Degrees
553 Master Degrees
53 Certificates

*Numbers as of 12/18/2014 and subject to change

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Reporter Contact:

Lauren M. Sheprow
University Media Relations Officer
631-632-6310

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SBU Celebrates its 17th Annual December Commencement with 1,571 Degrees Conferred