New degree-holders are
told to make difference in lives of others
Give back to the community
and make a significance in the lives of others was the message given
to 1,983 graduating students yesterday at the College of Staten
Island's 27th commencement ceremony
Under
clear blue skies, with 31 colorful banners representing the
Willowbrook college's departments and programs billowing in the
wind, graduates and undergraduates saw that theme manifested out on
the great lawn.
Disabled hero cop Steven McDonald was at the
ceremony to support graduate Leanora Regan, a 22-year-old English
major from Midland Beach whom he befriended in 1997 after visiting
her high school, St. John Villa Academy.
Since then McDonald, who was left a paraplegic after
a 1987 shooting in Central Park, has kept in touch with Ms. Regan,
who suffers from an inoperable brain tumor, epilepsy and other
serious health problems.
"We share things. She helps me and I help her," said
McDonald.
"I'll be having a bad day and I'll get a call or a
letter with her inspirational poetry and it gives me a reason to
make it through another day."
Ms. Regan credits McDonald as her inspiration and
best friend.
Student Tara Gianoulis touched on the same theme.
Addressing the rows of graduates in black caps and gowns, she
attributed the success of the Class of 2003 to professors, family,
friends and understanding bosses who allowed flexible work
schedules.
"We wouldn't be graduating today without some help
from other people," said the 21-year-old Dongan Hills resident. A
2002 City University of New York student athlete, majoring in
bioinformatics, a field combining molecular biology and computer
science, Ms. Gianoulis said graduates have a duty to give back.
Although philanthropic endeavors, and volunteering
at a soup kitchen usually come to mind, Ms. Gianoulis said her
version of "giving back" was much simpler and personal.
Crediting her next-door neighbor, Adriano Chinellato,
as someone who personified that ideal, she said he'd made sure the
New York Times science section was in her mailbox every Tuesday
morning for the last three and a half years.
"He knew I wanted to be a scientist and that I never
remembered to pick up the paper. It was a quiet, simple act, but it
inspired me," said Ms. Gianoulis, who will enter Yale University on
a full scholarship in the fall.
Veteran news reporter Gabe Pressman of Channel 4's
"Live at Five" and "Sunday Today in New York" was awarded an
honorary degree by CSI president Dr. Marlene Springer.
"Today you are enjoying success, but the question
you need to begin asking yourself today and the tomorrows ahead of
you is, how am I going to turn this success into significance?" said
Dr. Springer.
Using the parable of three neighbors comparing
possessions, Dr. Springer said the first man owned a huge mansion,
the second a successful farm and the third claimed only optimism.
When a storm destroyed the homes and crops of the first two men,
they lamented about what they should do.
The third man, who also lost his home and crops,
simply rebuilt his home and replanted his crops. When the other two
asked what his secret was, he replied, "The only thing I own is what
I think."
"Now you must make your knowledge significant for
you, and your life of significance will follow," said Dr. Springer.
Sen. Charles Schumer, who arrived minutes before the
ceremony was to end, also addressed the audience.
"The best times of your life, the great adventures
of your life are just beginning," said New York's senior senator,
noting that the rapid pace of technology and science requires an
educated community.
"It is a world that rewards knowledge like never
before in our history, and it is a world that is seeking advice and
expertise from young people like never before," Schumer said.
